Joel Katz, former Chairman of the American Bar Association's Entertainment & Sports Law Section, is widely recognized as a leader in the field of entertainment law. His clients include some of the world's most well-known entertainers, music producers, record companies, concert promoters, and Fortune 500 companies. More than 30 years ago, Joel founded Katz, Smith & Cohen, which became one of the country's largest music entertainment law firms. In 1998, Katz merged his practice with Greenberg Traurig.
Areas of Concentration
· Entertainment law
· Executive compensation agreements
· Entertainment related corporate acquisitions and mergers
· Consultation of multi-national and multi-media entertainment companies
Significant Representations
· Negotiated significant television awards show multi-year contracts for national non-profit entertainment companies.
· Negotiated "Grammy CD" compilation arrangement between "Big 4" record companies and non-profit entertainment company.
· Negotiated complex financial arrangements between music superstars and recording companies.
Professional & Community Involvement
· Member, Georgia, Tennessee, American, and Atlanta Bar Associations
· Member, Music Advisory Board, Hunter College (2011-Present)
· Chairman, USO Entertainment Advisory Council (2010-Present)
· Board of Directors, Kiz Toys, Inc. (2010-Present)
· Board of Directors, Digital College Network (2010-Present)
· Donor, Launch of Entertainment and Music Management Certificate Program, Kennesaw State University (June 2010)
· Board Member, Charity Partners, LLC (2009-Present)
· Member, Southern Region Board of Directors, T. J. Martell Foundation (2009-Present)
· Board of Directors, TouchTunes, (2009-Present)
· Member, Board of Representatives, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC, Appointed by Michael Jackson and confirmed by The Estate (2009-Present)
· Member, Initial Board of Directors, GRAMMY Museum (2008-Present)
· Special Counsel, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2006-Present)
· Fellow, Royal Society for Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA) (2005-Present)
· Music Industry Representative, State of Georgia, Film, Video and Music Advisory Commission, Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue (2004-Present)
· General Counsel, The Recording Academy (NARAS) (2003-Present)
· Special Counsel, Country Music Association (1998-Present)
· General Counsel and Member of Board of Directors, Farm Aid Inc. (1985-Present)
· Chairman, Abu Dhabi Investment House "ENTERTAINMENT CITY" Advisory Board (2008-2010)
· Chairman, Abu Dhabi Investment House "FASHION CITY - PORTA MODA" Advisory Board (2008-2010)
· Board of Directors, Evergreen Copyrights Acquisitions, LLC (2005-2010)
· Board Member, International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum (2006-2008)
· Board of Directors, Natrol, Inc. (2006-2008)
· Board of Directors, WhiteFence (2005-2008)
· Board of Governors, The Buckhead Club (2004-2008)
· Board Advisory of Directors, The Yellowstone Club (2004-2008)
· Advisory Council, Otis Redding Big "O" Youth Educational Dream Foundation (2007)
· Vice Chairman, Baldwin Piano Corporation (2005-2007)
· Vice Chairman, Gibson Foundation (2003-2007)
· Board of Directors, Gibson Foundation (2000-2007)
· Board of Directors, Gibson Guitar Corp. (2000-2007)
· Advisory Board, Very Special Arts (1994-2005)
· Chairman, Board of Advisors - America's Junior Miss (2000-2004)
· Advisory Board of Directors, T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia Research (1995-2003)
· Former Executive Entertainment Counsel, The Recording Academy (NARAS) (2000-2002)
· Chairman, American Bar Association's Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries (2000-2001)
· Founding Chairman, Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) (NARAS) (1998-1999)
· Board of Directors, State of Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority (1994-1999)
· Board of Directors, Entertainment & Finance Law Journal (1995-1999)
· Chairman Emeritus, The Recording Academy (NARAS) (1997-1998)
· Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Georgia State University, Commercial Music Program, College of Arts & Sciences (1995-1997)
· Board of Advisors, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (1996)
· National Chairman, The Recording Academy (NARAS) (1995-1996)
· Board of Trustees, NARAS Foundation (1995-1996)
· Board of Directors, Very Special Arts (1991-1994)
· Advisory Board, Atlanta Songwriters Association (1992)
· Member and Chairman, State Bar of Georgia's Entertainment & Sports Law Section (1992)
· Advisory Council, The Music Educators National Conference
· Advisory Board, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (1991)
Awards & Recognition
· Named, "The Power 100," Billboard Magazine (2012)
· Listed, Best Lawyers in America® (1989-2012)
· Named, U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Law Firm of the Year" in Entertainment Law - Music (2011-2012)
· Recipient, ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Department's 2011 "Atlanta Legends" Award (September 28, 2011)
· Listed, "Top Entertainment Attorney of the Year," New York Times' Supplement: Georgia's Best Lawyers® (2011)
· Recipient, Commitment to Education Award, ORT Atlanta (December 4, 2010)
· Listed, Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report (2010 and 2011)
· Recipient, "Distinguished Alumnus Award," University of Tennessee, Knoxville (September 10, 2010)
· Recipient, "Service Award," Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI), The GRAMMY Foundation (January 29, 2010)
· Recipient, "Middelton-Candler Millennium Gate Prize," The National Monuments Foundation (December 5, 2009)
· Selected, One of the Forty "Litigation Stars" in Georgia, Benchmark Litigation Guide (2009)
· Listed, "Georgia's Legal Elite," Georgia Trend (2009 and 2011)
· Listed, Chambers and Partners USA Guide, an annual listing of the leading business lawyers and law firms in the world (2008-2011)
· Recipient, "Bridge to Achievement Award," Hunter College (October 23, 2008)
· Recipient, "Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree," Hunter College (June 4, 2008)
· Dedication, Governor Sonny Perdue renamed a portion of Northside Parkway in Atlanta as JOEL KATZ PARKWAY in recognition of his many contributions to the State of Georgia (May 2008)
· Listed, Legal 500 US, an internationally recognized client referral guide providing in-depth editorial and recommendations of law firms and lawyers. Recommended for Media and Entertainment - Film, Music and TV (2007 and 2008)
· Recipient, "Chairman of the Year" and "Business of the Year," The Mexican American Business Chamber (2007)
· Named, "Power Lawyers: Top 100 Most Influential Entertainment Lawyers in America," The Hollywood Reporter, (2007-2011)
· Recipient, "Outstanding Georgia Citizen", presented by the Secretary of State, The Mexican American Business Chamber (2007)
· Recipient, "Spirit of Excellence Award," T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research (2007)
· Recipient, "Ed Ruben Award" for distinguished service and scholarship, ABA Entertainment and Sports Law (2006)
· Listed, Who's Who In The World
· Listed, Who's Who in Entertainment
· Listed, Who's Who in America
· Listed, Who's Who in Executives and Professionals
· Listed, Who's Who in Georgia
· Listed, Who's Who Among Outstanding Americans
· Team Leader, "Deal of the Year," Investment Dealers Digest
· Rated, AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5
· Named, "Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyer in America," Lawdragon Magazine (2005)
· Selected, Super Lawyers magazine and Georgia Super Lawyers magazine (2004-2012)
- Selected, "Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia" (2012)
· Recipient, "Spirit of Music Award," UJA Federation of New York and The Music for Youth Foundation (2003)
· Inducted, Hunter College Hall of Fame (2003)
· Recipient, "Heroes Award," Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy (2002)
· Named, "100 Most Influential Georgians," Georgia Trend (January 2002)
· Recipient, "University of Tennessee Founder's Day Medal" (1999)
· Dedication, "Joel A. Katz Law Library," University of Tennessee College of Law (1999)
· Inducted, Georgia Music Hall of Fame (1995)
Previous Employment
· Founder, Katz, Smith & Cohen, 1981-1998
· Senior Partner, Galkin, Katz & Tye, 1971-1981
· Lawyer, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 1969-1971
· Law Clerk, Medium-sized Atlanta law firm, 1969-1971
· Law Professor, Georgia State University, 1969-1971
Articles, Publications, & Lectures
Joel is an active participant at industry events, having served as a speaker or panelist at The Recording Academy's "Grammy in the Schools Program," the Atlanta Downtown Partnership's "Music Industry Symposium," as well as various lectures and panels for the Entertainment and Sports Industry Forum of the ABA and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Joel has also authored and co-authored many articles and commentary on various topics concerning entertainment law.
Speaking Engagements
· Panelist, "Making Magic Happen - Talent in the World of the Internet and Social Media," University of Tennessee Law School Entertainment Law Conference: Metamorphosis - How Technology is Reshaping Entertainment, Knoxville, TN, March 31, 2012