Powerhouse attorney Jonathan Leonard understands the importance of legal representation within the field of entertainment. So when established stars and burgeoning artists seek his counsel, the talented Atlanta based attorney does more than just provide his expert assistance – he takes the time to painstakingly explain the importance of said counsel. Having represented the likes of industry titans T.I., Jazze Pha, and Johnta Austin, Leonard has garnered an intimate understanding of the inner workings of the music business, as well as the potential legal trappings that await unsuspecting artists. When Leonard sat down with rolling out for an exclusive interview, his first order of business was to extend words of wisdom for those on the precipice of breaking into the industry.
Leonard’s admonition to new artists:
“Having sound counsel in the music business is critical. The music business is a high stakes business, and [it] oftentimes includes complex legal issue[s] such as copyright, trademark, and intellectual property issues. When you start to get into those areas, it’s critical to have the guidance and counsel on the front end. Because what happens in the music business is that an artist or songwriter can enter into recording or publishing agreements, and those agreements can have extremely long terms. They can end up following a person for many years throughout their career. So it is so critical in the outset of your career to establish a firm foundation that can be built upon as you grow. This foundation is based upon competent legal counsel.”
Check back with ro in the coming weeks, as Leonard shares more words of wisdom on the entertainment industry from an insider’s perspective. –dewayne rogers
