Shackelford represent clients in a variety of entertainment and media law matters, including handling contract negotiations, preparing global deals, and navigating the role of digital media and innovation in all areas of entertainment. Our attorneys have been recognized by their peers and industry professionals as some of the best dealmakers and litigators in the industry. The presence of both transactional entertainment attorneys and entertainment litigation attorneys at Shackelford allows for the firm to provide legal advice and counsel for all aspects of our entertainment clients’ careers and businesses.
Our entertainment clients include artists, songwriters, producers, independent and major record companies, managers, publishers, promoters, festivals, television production companies, filmmakers, and other various entertainment and media individuals and companies. The transactional attorneys have experience drafting and negotiating deals that encompass all aspects of the music industry, including recording agreements, publishing agreements, performance agreements, management agreements, distribution agreements, licensing agreements, merchandising agreements, producer agreements, website and fan club agreements, ticketing agreements, mergers and acquisitions agreements, catalog acquisitions, and so much more. Our attorneys work with the goal in mind of creating and negotiating practical deals that provide for our clients to foster long-term creative growth and successful business relationships. Our litigators regularly represent major recording artists, record companies and publishers, managers, talent agents and promoters to protect their interests arising in the complex world of the international entertainment world.
Our music clients include artists spanning across all genres of music, including country, pop, rock, rap, and electronic music. Our attorneys play an active role in the entertainment community, have a unique and deep level of understanding of the music industry and maintain high-level relationships with businesses and individuals throughout the industry. These relationships allow our clients to access resources and opportunities that continue to build their success.
Our practice is staffed by some of the most accomplished attorneys in the entertainment industry who provide decades of industry experience and access to insiders in music, television and film. We maintain ongoing relationships with some of the most recognized groups in the entertainment industry, including the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Leadership Music, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Pollstar, International Entertainment Buyers Association, and many others. Shackelford has entertainment attorneys based in both Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas -- cities that having booming music, live performance, and entertainment industries.
In addition to our expertise in contracts, licensing deals and other areas of immediate impact to our entertainment clients, we also provide a variety of legal resources in other areas. From helping clients develop and start new businesses, to filing for and maintaining protection of copyrights and trademarks, and assisting with estate planning, we deliver the legal tools that our entertainment clients need to effectively manage their talents and careers.
Specific examples of representation include:
- Representing talent buyers and working hand-in-hand with talent agencies to ensure balanced performance agreements
- Representing music companies and estates in acquisitions and sales of multi-million-dollar song and recording catalogs
