In Billboard’s 2019 Top Music Lawyers list feature, Manatt is named “the firm with the deepest roster [on the list],” with seven attorneys being recognized for their recent achievements. The Top Music Lawyers list is a prestigious recognition of 113 attorneys who are leaders in the music industry.
Manatt’s recognized attorneys are L. Lee Phillips, a senior partner in the firm’s entertainment group; Jordan Bromley, leader of the firm’s entertainment transactions and finance practice; Robert Jacobs, leader of the firm’s entertainment litigation practice; and entertainment group partners Jeff Biederman, Gary Gilbert, Monika Tashman and Eric Custer.
Phillips is noted for closing “a major, major financing deal” on behalf of Paul Anka for his iconic music publishing catalog with Primary Wave.
Bromley is highlighted for being the youngest head of the firm’s entertainment transaction and finance practice in recent history.
Jacobs is noted for being named the head of Manatt’s entertainment litigation practice.
Biederman is acknowledged for guiding Kobalt’s 2017 acquisition of SONGS and 2018 partnership with Glassnote, which he notes “were among the biggest transactions [for the music industry] in their respective years.”
Billboard notes that Gilbert, in addition to his recent work on behalf of clients such as the Dixie Chicks, Death Cab for Cutie, the B.B. King estate and Peter Frampton, helped complete an “innovative and different” deal for Daniel Lanois to compose the score of the video game Red Dead Redemption 2.
Tashman is highlighted for speaking on gender equality in the #MeToo era at MIDEM and for being an advocate for better economic leverage for artists.
In the firm’s profile, Custer tells Billboard that he once heard someone compare music lawyers to the country doctor, because they “know a lot about a little and a little about a lot.” He is also noted for being general counsel for several heritage artists and estates, and for being a leader in filing Section 203 notices for artists seeking to reclaim ownership of their sound recordings and notes.
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