The daily news is replete with stories of eager young people of color entering the entertainment industry and falling prey to legal scandals and questionable business deals. Tiffany Ballard, founder of the Law Office of Tiffany Ballard, P.C. has focused in on this issue and is an advocate on behalf of new and emerging talent. Through her office she serves clients such as producers/songwriters, Anonymous (Lady Gaga, Will.I.Am) and Deonte’ (Chris Brown), singer-songwriter, Kris Collins and production duo, The WatcherZ (Wiz Khalifa, Bow Wow). Rolling out spoke with Ballard about her role ensuring that today’s emerging talent have a secure future.
Most of your clients are 18-25 years old and relatively new on the scene. How do you help guide them in planning for the future?
It’s important that I use real life examples when explaining different legal terms and their effects. I remind them of commonly known examples with their favorite celebrities or artists that may have battled record labels or executives. So, I put it in terms that they understand to break down the consequences.
The record industry is full of shady business temptations. How do you maintain your moral standards in the industry?
My morals, loyalty and being a person of my word are very important. I am an advocate by nature whether it be racism or sexism or whatever. That is always first and that’s why I went to law school. I have gone to bat with clients about accepting bad deals even though I would have still gotten paid. I explain the long-term consequences so that they don’t wake up 20 years from now with no money. Many young artists get shafted when they don’t know better and so I am an advocate for them.
In what ways do your services extend beyond the legal grounds?
For one artist we had a situation where his management got shaky and he decided to consider other options. So, I counseled him and reached out to different people on his behalf. Now he is managed by one of the best in the game that also manages a superstar rapper. I connect people with management or have conversations with them on a creative aspect in terms of helping them select songs for submissions. Most of my clients are younger men of color and I am like an older sister who is protecting them.
