Music

Overview

Nixon Peabody’s team of music entertainment lawyers advise clients across all facets of the music industry. Operating out of Los Angeles and Nashville, our attorneys are expert negotiators with a track record of putting together innovative and forward-looking deals for our clients. Nixon Peabody’s full-service capabilities uniquely position our music attorneys to counsel clients through complex entertainment transactions that intersect with tax, finance, litigation and intellectual property law. We are consistently recognized as industry leaders by Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Music Row Magazine, among others, further emphasizing our deep understanding and dedication in the field of music law.

We represent a diverse roster of artistic and executive talent, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, content creators, booking agents, and managers. Our attorneys also have substantial experience advising record labels, music publishers, concert promoters, game developers, celebrity estates and production companies in their business and legal affairs. We take pride in working with clients that operate at the cutting-edge of Web3, artificial intelligence and block chain enterprises. As our clients explore and develop new music-driven technologies, they rely on us for specialized counsel and protection regarding copyright laws and music sampling law.

Cumulatively, our attorneys have decades of experience drafting and negotiating record deals and music publishing contracts, as well as guiding our clients through the valuation, acquisition, and sale of music catalogs. Our experienced team is well-equipped to provide sound advice on a full range of industry matters concerning music distribution, music copyright law, touring, management, merchandising, licensing, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. We also work closely with clients to develop legal strategies that safeguard and leverage the value of their intellectual property on an international scale.

Representative Experience

• Advise Grammy-winning recording artists, music producers, and songwriters on negotiating recording agreements, distribution agreements, publishing agreements, and catalog sales.
• Provide counsel to the world’s leading concert promoters, talent agencies, music venues and festivals, and live-streaming companies.
• Provide music counsel to top video game developers, publishers, and eSports companies.
• Negotiate agreements related to every facet of the music industry, including but not limited to, music recording, music publishing, copyright termination, touring, merchandising, sponsorship and endorsement, talent and production, television, modeling, talent representation, licensing, content creation and monetization, and Web3 ventures.
• Lead clients through the process of structuring and developing the launch of new business enterprises and strategic partnerships with multinational brands.
• Provide strategic counsel to clients for their growth and expansion beyond the traditional entertainment industry.
• Provide comprehensive trademark advice and intellectual property management.

Recognition

• Recognized in Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report in 2022
• Carron Mitchell recognized in Billboard's 2022 and 2023 lists of top music lawyers
• Farrah Usmani recognized in Billboard's 2023 list of top music lawyers
• Ellie Heisler recognized by the Hollywood Reporter as a 2022 Power Lawyer
• The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Women Behind the Music 2022 included Carron Mitchell as an honoree