I need a music Lawyer

[ssrproductions]

I need a good music lawyer with connections. How can i find one? How much will this cost me?

[Casey H]

What is it that you are looking for a music lawyer to do? Why do you need one? More information is needed in order to give you any answers.

Casey

[ssrproductions]

well casey, I am looking at my options. I have been told that a music attorney has connections and can get your music in the right hands. But i want to know more about this and how much it would cost.

[mojobone]

Once upon a time in the music business, there were lawyers with clout who would shop your project to labels and publishers, taking only points and a finder's fee; if you believe they still exist, you probably also believe in fairy godmothers. That sort of clout can still be bought, but rather than take a few thousand venture capitalists to lunch, one at a time, I'd suggest selling five or ten thousand units on your own and letting them find you.

[mazz]

well casey, I am looking at my options. I have been told that a music attorney has connections and can get your music in the right hands. But i want to know more about this and how much it would cost.

A lot, I would imagine!

[anne]

What point are you at with your music?

[ssrproductions]

well anne, i have music for film/tv and i also have music ready for labels without lyrical content

[Kazak]

I would recommend Lynn Morrow, she is an entertainment law attorney with the firm Adams and Reese on Music Row in Nashville,
see http://www.adamsandreese.com She helped me with a contract I needed and she guided me through it all. You can ask her for her rates of course and usually they can give you an hourly rate and also tell you how much time they would estimate is needed on your issues.

I worked with attorneys in the course of my job for many years and I was impressed with her.

[Casey H]

ssr:
Based on what you said, I don't think a music lawyer is what you need. My guess is you are putting the cart before the horse.

Film/TV:
Most successful film/TV composers (a great many right here with Taxi), did not get their placements by using an attorney. It comes down to (1) the quality of the music and (2) getting music in good music libraries who in turn make the placements with film/TV music supervisors. The best thing to do at first is post links to some tracks here to get feedback on how the tracks might do for film/TV. I don't know if you are a Taxi member, but submitting to listings with critiques and/or getting custom critiques is also highly recommended. Taxi runs tons of listings for film/TV music libraries- no attorney needed.

Labels:
Music attorneys do represent artists seeking label deals. But the bar is INCREDIBLY high. A good music attorney would not represent you unless the music was absolutely great. (Most of is think what we have is great, but often not so on a highly competitive commercial level). And no music attorney will represent songs without lyrics to labels. There are way too many great songwriters and artists out there with whole songs. You'd should collaborate first with lyricists to produce completed songs.

My suggestion is focus on the MUSIC first. Use this forum, a Taxi membership, pro-critiques, etc to get a sense of where you stand and work toward excellence.

Best of luck!
Casey

[T&V Marino]

Hey, SSR,

You may not need an attorney for what you're doing if you've gotten this far!!! Also, if you don't live in L.A., it's not worth getting one.

Most of our friends who have an attorney are established artists trying to get a record deal like Gooding or they are A-list film/TV composers like Hans Zimmer, Thomas Newman, and Dan Foliart. They also have agents.

The top attorneys in L.A. cost $250 to $400 -- PER HOUR! But if you're still standing after that shocker and still want one, check out the California Copyright Conference (www.TheCCC.org). They just had a meeting on Tuesday night. John Breheny (a TAXI screener & author) is one of the past presidents of the CCC, so he might give you a referral as well. But it's a good idea to meet and see these people in person to get a "vibe" if they believe in you and will honestly help you instead of just taking your hard-earned money. We know one attorney who actually goes to his clients' concerts. Now that's who you'd want to represent you! Those attorneys are RARE.

Good luck!

~ Tracey & Vance Marino