I have been practicing entertainment law exclusively for more than 25 years. My clients include recording artists, songwriters, record companies, music publishers, literary authors, film producers and record producers. Located on Nashville’s “Music Row”, my practice is in the heart of the music industry.

 

I began my music industry career as a musician, playing guitar from the age of 9 years old until the present. In my teens and early 20’s I performed as a regular member of several regionally popular groups based in Memphis, Tennessee. While attending undergraduate school, I helped support myself as a performing musician, guitar instructor and entertainment agent. Aware of the prominent role that attorneys played in the music business, I entered the University of Memphis School Of Law in 1974 and received my law degree (Juris Doctor) three years later in 1977.

 

After graduation, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia where was an Assistant Professor and Director of the Commercial Music/Recording Program at Georgia State University for three years. I then joined the Atlanta entertainment law firm headed by Joel Katz where I represented entertainment industry clients until 1982. After returning to my hometown of Memphis in 1983, I began my private practice in the entertainment field and opened a branch office in Nashville in 1993. The entire firm was relocated to Nashville's Music Row in 1995. Current clients include record labels, songwriters, recording artists, managers, publishers and filmmakers in the country, pop, Americana and Christian music fields. I am licensed by the State Bars of Tennessee and Georgia.

 

In 1997 the Georgia Music Industry Association presented me with the Cotton Carrier Award of Excellence. The award was given for my contributions to the Georgia Music Industry as a founder and first president of the Atlanta Songwriters Association (now GMIA). I have also served on the Board of Governors of Recording Academy (the people who give the Grammy) in the Atlanta and Memphis Chapters, as well as serving as President in Atlanta, and I am currently an active member of the Nashville Chapter. Other professional organizations to which I now belong include:

 

American Bar Association

Tennessee Bar Association

Nashville Bar Association

Country Music Association (CMA)

Academy of Country Music (ACM)

Copyright Society of the South

Nashville Songwriter’s Association International (NSAI)

National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (“The Recording Academy”)

Advisory Board, Georgia Music Industry Association (GMIA)

 
I am proud of my reputation for honesty and integrity and strive to maintain that standard in all that I do. I am dedicated to providing quality professional services and to making a positive contribution to the music industry. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need additional information.