Nigel Sinclair began his journey in England, where studying at Monkton Combe sparked a strong interest in history and the arts under the guidance of teachers like Richard Blake. After completing a degree in law and economics at Cambridge in 1969, he continued his studies at the Institute of Criminology before joining Denton, Hall & Burgin. In 1979, during a period of rising oil prices, he opened offices for the firm in Dubai and Sharjah, gaining experience in addressing complex business and legal challenges. This broadened his perspective and shaped his approach to problem-solving. He later earned an LLM from Columbia University in New York, passed the California Bar exam, and opened a Los Angeles branch for the firm, where he would build a long-term career and personal life.

By the early 1980s, he had become well known in Los Angeles, gradually shifting into entertainment law. He represented a growing roster of actors and directors, and in 1989 co-founded Sinclair Tenenbaum & Co., which helped transform the international financing and distribution of independent films. Projects such as Hamlet, Braveheart, 1492, and Green Card showed how ambitious productions could thrive outside the traditional studio system.

In 1996, he transitioned from law to producing, co-founding Intermedia Films and producing titles like Sliding Doors, Hilary and Jackie, The Wedding Planner, The Quiet American, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and Iris. After taking the company public in 2000, he co-founded Spitfire Pictures in 2003, producing music documentaries such as Masked and Anonymous, Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who, and No Direction Home: Bob Dylan.

He later founded Exclusive Media, producing films including Rush, End of Watch, Snitch, and Parkland. In 2014, he co-founded White Horse Pictures, producing acclaimed documentaries like The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, Pavarotti, The Apollo, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Lucy and Desi, Beach Boys, and Stax: Soulsville U.S.A..

His work has received Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Emmys, Grammys, and a CBE. With a lasting commitment to storytelling and cultural history, Nigel Sinclair continues to create films that leave a meaningful legacy.