Throughout her career, Amy Paquette has helped build successful businesses, designed and implemented cutting-edge strategies, valued and acquired intellectual property, overseen M&A, and led dealmaking for the production and acquisition of large slates of content. She has been a key player in the launch and growth of companies that have reshaped the entertainment and media landscape.

Before founding NextWave, Amy served as the head of business and legal affairs for Netflix’s live-action film group. Leading a team that grew to over 100 members, her responsibilities encompassed the development, production, acquisition, and licensing of live-action and documentary films, as well as 360 deals that spanned all content formats (film, series, animation). During her nearly decade-long tenure, she adeptly navigated Netflix’s rapidly evolving business needs, from the inception of its film initiative to its rise as a dominant player, addressing strategic pivots, new technologies, and industry challenges, including the pandemic.

Amy helped architect Netflix’s transition from a content licensee to a fully functional movie studio, releasing an unprecedented 70+ films per year at its peak. She developed innovative deal and participation structures, including the first streaming buyout arrangements, which became the industry standard. Amy also negotiated Netflix’s highest-priority deals with A-list talent and major studio partners, encompassing overall agreements, output arrangements, and multiparty competitive auctions for packages and intellectual property. Additionally, she played a key role in developing and implementing impactful employee growth and mentorship programs.

Prior to joining Netflix, Amy served as general counsel at Canada’s leading production and distribution company, Alliance Films. During her 13-year tenure, she helped Alliance grow into a significant industry player, ultimately overseeing the legal aspects of the sale of Alliance to eOne on behalf of its shareholders, which included Goldman Sachs and a major Canadian pension fund. While at the company, she also worked to launch the first slate of films for Jason Blum/Blumhouse, including major franchise properties, setting that business on a trajectory for massive success.

At Alliance, Amy managed the legal aspects of corporate transactions, including overseeing the spinoff of Alliance Films as part of the sale of Alliance Atlantis Communications’ business to CanWest Media, as well as the subsequent acquisition of Maple Pictures from Lionsgate and the company’s debt arrangements. Additionally, she managed litigation matters, copyright and trademark infringement claims, employment issues, and the settlement of audit claims, while also handling production, acquisition, and licensing arrangements for its slate of content, along with a wide range of commercial deals.

Amy began her career at law firms Goodman and Carr in Canada and Olswang in the U.K. She practiced primarily in the areas of securities, corporate, and commercial law, with a focus on public offerings, technology, and new media.