LSBA and SULC Entertainment Law CLE Conference: Music and the Law 

Hosted by: Louisiana State Bar Association’s Diversity Committee and Southern University Law Center

Behind every successful musician, there is a great lawyer. This conference was developed to highlight the groundbreaking work of lawyers that help to protect artists. Highly credentialed speakers will address topics such as copyright, first amendment issues, attorneys’ fees, sampling, truth in advertising, product liability, streaming, and other timely legal issues in the world of entertainment.

April 13-14, 2023
Virgin Hotels New Orleans, 550 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 

Check In: 7:40 a.m.
Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. each day
CLE Credit Hour(s): 4.00 CLE Credit Hour(s) each day - Total of 8.00 CLE Credit Hour(s)

Registration:
Registration is closed.

Included with registration:
Assorted Pastries, Coffee, Tea, and Orange Juice
A Single-Day Fest Family Pass to French Quarter Festival for Friday ONLY is included with registration.
Enjoy exclusive perks such as hospitality lounges at three prime locations, shaded elevated viewing areas, private bars, private restrooms, and more. Hospitality lounges: Riverfront Abita Beer Stage, Riverfront Jack Daniel’s Stage, and Jax Lot-Chevron Stage.
https://frenchquarterfest.org

Conference sessions are subject to limited attendance due to the facility capacity constraints. 

The LSBA is not responsible for any expenses associated with travel, lodging, or other costs incurred by the registrant. This also applies if the LSBA must cancel the conference for any reason. 

Audio or video recording or transcription of any portion of the conference is prohibited unless express consent is granted by the LSBA. 


Registration Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations must be received in writing and sent to diversity@lsba.org. 
Telephone cancellations will not be accepted. Cancellations received in writing before March 27, 2023, will be fully refunded minus a $30.00 administrative fee. If written confirmation of cancellation is not received by March 27, 2023, no refunds or credits will be issued of any kind. Credits will be processed within three weeks of the cancellation request. 

ON-SITE REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE
On-site Registration Policy:  
It is the policy of the LSBA that NO CASH shall be accepted for any transaction. Payment may be made by personal check or via the LSBA registration portal if open on the day of registration. Due to limited capacity, on-site registration is not expected to be available.

If you prefer not to register online, please click here for the Entertainment Law Conference Attorney Registration Form. Submission instructions are on the form.

If you are a Non-Attorney, please click here for the Non-Attorney Registration Form.

If you are an Out of State Attorney, please click here for the Out of State Attorney Registration Form.

Registrants: On the day prior to the conference, a logistics email will be sent to your email account registered with the LSBA. If not an LSBA member, the logistics email will be sent to the email address used for the registration process.

You can manage your LSBA membership account by clicking here.

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Agenda

Please click here for program agenda.

Day of Session - Thursday, April 13
Time of Session - 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Session One (1.00 General Credit Hour) Let's Back That Up and Listen to That Again...When
Your Song Isn't Your Song Anymore.

An evaluation of copyright litigation in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Positive Talk v. Universal.

• Michael P. Arata, Jones Swanson Huddell LLC, New Orleans, LA

9:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. - Session Two (1.00 General Credit Hour) Music Copyright Infringement Claims

This session will explore music copyright infringement disputes in federal court litigation and before the new Copyright Claims Board. The speaker will discuss the requirements of bringing such claims, the pros and cons of each forum, potential damages and other remedies, legal fees and litigation costs, expert witness testimony, and related matters.

• Mary Ellen Roy, Phelps Dunbar, LLP, Partner, New Orleans, LA
  Session Two Materials click here.

10:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. - Session Three (1.00  Ethics Credit Hour) Legal Ethics in the Practice of Music Law

This one-hour session is designed to review the ethical obligations inherent in a music law practice. Topics of discussion include Rule 1.1 (competence), Rule 1.5 (fees), Rules 1.7,1.8,1.9, and 1.18 (conflicts of interest), and more.  Any attorney with a music industry practice (whether transactional or litigation) will benefit from a presentation designed uniquely for them.

• Tim Kappel, Wells Kappel, New Orleans, LA
  Session Three Materials click here.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Session Four (1.00 General Credit Hour) Basics of Music Copyright Law

This course is meant to give attendees an overview of music copyright law concepts, the sources of revenue songs can generate and other pertinent areas.

The Essentials of Music Copyright Law covers the basics of music copyright law, the two copyrights in every song, and the exclusive rights you get when you have a copyright.

• Jim Jesse, Rock n' Roll Law, Founder, Lawrence, KS

Day of Session - Friday, April 14
Time of Session - 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Session One (1.25 Ethics Credit Hours) Representing an Organization as a Client with the Beatles as a Case Study

The purpose of the ethics hour is for attendees to learn the unique issues faced when representing an organization as a client, particularly one as unique as a musical group, and, in this case, The Beatles.  Picture yourself as General Counsel for the biggest band in the world during their last years.

The presenter has first-hand experience in this area as a former General Counsel to a company. The one-hour ethics portion focuses even more particularly on representing a band or artist and uses the final few years, and demise, of The Beatles career as a case study.  Specific emphasis is placed on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7 (conflict of interest-current client); 1.13 (Organization as a client); 1.14 (Client with Diminished Capacity); and 2.1 (Role as Advocate).

• Jim Jesse, Rock n' Roll Law, Founder, Lawrence, KS

9:25 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. - Session Two (1.25 General Credit Hours) Copyright & IP Law Developments In the Entertainment Industry

This session will provide an update on the Implementation of the Music Modernization Act and address Sections 203 and 304 of the Copyright Act. The session will also focus on NFT'S and recent case law involving recording contracts, master rights, and music publishing rights.

• Lita Rosario-Richardson, Shulman Rogers, Shareholder, Potomac, MD
  Session Two Materials click here.

10:50 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. - Session Three (1.50 General Credit Hours) Music, Activism, and the Law: The Intersection of Entertainment Law and Purpose-Driven Organizations

At its core, this session is a hands-on practicum that will provide attendees with a road map for navigating many of the legal and business affairs considerations called upon for developing and executing a major entertainment-based project.  The session will introduce attendees to numerous frameworks at the intersection of activism and entertainment-based law practice.  With a focus on the development, production, and distribution of live and recorded global entertainment properties, we will explore various areas of law including contracts, copyright, music licensing and clearances, trademark practice, production agreements, and concepts related to risk allocation, mitigation, and insurance.  Throughout, the session will weave in concepts related to the activities of purpose-driven organizations, and the role that music and activism play in making a positive impact in the world.

• Brian Mencher, Global Citizen, General Counsel, New York, NY

Hotel Information
The LSBA has reserved a block of rooms at the Virgin Hotels New Orleans at a discounted rate of $319.00 per night (excluding taxes and fees). 

Book a room NOLA French Quarter Festival $319
Contact outreach@lsba.org

Hotel cancellation policy:
Please note that if your plans change and you do not timely cancel your room reservation within 72 hours in advance, you are responsible for the room charge.

Wi-Fi Access
Wireless access will be available in the conference area and main lobby. Please note, electrical outlets will be limited.

Special Requirements / Questions
Please contact the LSBA if you have a disability, dietary restrictions or a food allergy which may require special accommodations at this conference. The LSBA is committed to ensuring full accessibility for all registrants. 

Lactation Room
A lactation room for breastfeeding individuals to express milk while attending the conference is available. You are responsible for requesting access to the space and following the guidelines for use.

Lactation Room Guidelines:
Attendee must request use of the room via email at diversity@lsba.org.

Please provide name, LSBRN, phone number, time room is needed and length of time that lactation room is needed.

Pumping equipment: Should you choose to leave any items in the room, know that these are not the responsibility of LSBA or host hotel.

Please keep the space neat and orderly. If there is a cleaning issue, please report the issue to LSBA staff at the check in.

If you have any additional comments or questions regarding lactation space or access, please email the Member Outreach and Diversity team at diversity@lsba.org.

The LSBA’s inclusion of a program in its CLE programming is not to be deemed a statement or an endorsement of the views expressed therein by the LSBA or any member of the LSBA. Speakers on LSBA programs were carefully selected for their knowledge, but neither the LSBA nor the speaker warrant that the presentations or materials were free of errors or will continue to be accurate. Statements in the presentations and their materials should be verified before relying on them. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect opinions of the LSBA, its sections, or committees. Views expressed are those of the authors and contributors only.

Questions?
Contact the Member Outreach and Diversity team members by email at diversity@lsba.org.