For entertainment industry clients, Clark, Thomas & Winters is one-stop shopping. Our Entertainment Law practice is comprised of skilled attorneys who regularly handle the legal issues encountered by individuals and businesses in the entertainment industries. Additionally, the firm's other practice groups provide the legal services commonly sought by individuals and businesses, such as tax, estate planning, real estate, employment, business transactions, and litigation. This fosters convenience and efficiency for our entertainment clients, whose career demands usually require immediate attention to a variety of legal issues.

Our attorneys recognize and understand the challenges that musicians, producers, performers, authors, and filmmakers face as they encounter the legal and business issues that are a natural part of starting and maintaining a professional career. We assist our clients by learning about their business needs and goals and working with them to develop strategies and options to maximize their professional opportunities. Among the various services we provide are: reviewing, drafting and negotiating contracts; serving as client representative and advocate on deals, performances, and appearances; resolving disputes; navigating intellectual property and copyright issues; managing business matters and dealing with estate, tax, and wealth management issues.

In order to manage all these challenges and those that come with greater success and recognition, the assistance of a law firm that can provide a high level of personalized service, knowledgeable business counsel, and industry specific solutions is a must. Clark, Thomas & Winters is that type of firm.

Based in Austin, our attorneys are connected and attuned to the latest industry, legal, and business trends facing our clients in the state’s most dynamic center for emerging talent. The Austin metropolitan area is a mecca for the entertainment industry:

Austin is the birthplace, home, and host of the annual South by Southwest Music and Media Conference (SXSW), SXSW Interactive Festival, and the SXSW Film Conference.

Austin is the headquarters of the legendary Austin City Limits television series and the stomping grounds for more than 70,000 people who attend the world famous Austin City Limits Music Festival each fall.

The northern suburb of Round Rock is the home of the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

Texas’ capital city was nicknamed the “Live Music Capital of the World” after research revealed that Austin has more live music venues per capita than Nashville, New York City, and other music hot spots.

Austin is the center court for the NBA Development League minor league basketball team the Austin Toros (affiliated with the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Clippers).

With its scenic landscapes, active entertainment community, and populace of talent, Austin has established itself as a dynamic, preferred location for indie and major motion picture projects on every budget scale.

Austin has its own professional symphony, ballet and opera companies, and dozens of theaters, dance companies, vocal ensembles, and orchestras producing events year-round.

SERVICES

Music Transactions

Our attorneys handle a broad range of music industry transactions, including recording contracts, band agreements, songwriter and publishing deals, formation of legal business entities for artists and musical groups, copyright and trademark protection, management agreements, distribution agreements, venue and performance deals, producer deals, and establishing affiliations with performing rights societies (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC).

Motion Picture Transactions

Our attorneys represent clients on a variety of matters, including film distribution deals, location agreements, motion picture investment and development deals, screenplay option agreements, formation of legal business entities for production companies and isolated projects, copyrights and trademark protection, sync and master use licenses for music in film, and soundtrack agreements.

Business Matters

Our attorneys regularly assist clients in structuring, negotiating, and implementing business transactions, including reviewing business proposals, intellectual property matters, contract negotiation, choice of entity, asset purchases and sales, conversions and liquidations, mergers and acquisitions, real estate investments, project financing, private equity investment transactions, joint ventures, partnership and strategic alliance formations, reorganizations, and bankruptcies.

Tax

Whether they are serving the interest of an individual, business, or corporation, the tax attorneys at Clark, Thomas & Winters work closely with clients to analyze their unique issues and needs in order to design and implement practical solutions that are tax efficient. On an individual level, our tax attorneys regularly provide advice and planning services to high net worth clients seeking wealth preservation strategies, asset protection, and generation planning.

Dispute Resolution

Disputes and lawsuits are occasionally a part of the landscape in the entertainment industry. Our litigators serve as trusted advisors to entertainment clients at all career stages, including individuals, small businesses, start-ups and mid-size and large companies, with aggressive and cost-effective representation in matters of risk management, mediation and binding arbitration, pre-litigation strategy, trial, and appeal. When disputes arise, our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to prosecute, defend, and appeal complex civil cases in state and federal courts and before various regulatory authorities across the state of Texas and throughout the United States.