9:00-10:00am | I Made a Movie – Now What Do I Do With It? (A Primer on Film Distribution) (1.0 General)
Presented by Kelly L. Frey, Nelson Mullins
As a leading practitioner who frequently represents indie film production & media companies and an executive producer and distributor for several feature films, Kelly Frey is particularly well suited to discuss the legal issues associated with monetizing independent films. As a timely follow-up to his presentation last year on film production, this informative and interactive presentation will feature examples from independent film projects that Kelly has worked on to illustrate the stages, processes, dynamics, and personalities involved in monetizing independent films through distribution in a post-COVID world.
10:00-11:00am | Significant New Court Rulings in Entertainment and Media (1.0 General)
Presented by Stan Soocher, Esq.
Stan Soocher, Esq., returns to present his popular annual review of recent court rulings of significance to the music, entertainment and media industries, including from courts in Tennessee. Stan is the long-time Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment Law & Finance and Professor of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado’s Denver campus.
11:00-11:10am | Break
11:10am-12:10pm | The Entertainment and Sports Industries During COVID-19 (1.0 General)
Moderated by Molly Shehan, Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan
Panelists include: Dan Werly, General Counsel for the Tennessee Titans, Steve Gaches, William Morris Endeavor, & Kelly Donley Desseyn, Eventbrite
This panel will explore legal and business issues being faced in the entertainment and sports industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has turned day-to-day legal and business practices into law school fact patterns, with many twists and turns. Panelists will discuss the various obstacles being faced and solutions being implemented during this unique time.
12:10-12:50pm | Lunch Break
12:50-1:20pm | Truth in Advertising 201 (0.5 General)
Presented by Todd Hartley, Senior Counsel for Marketing, Advertising, and Communication Issues at Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Todd Hartley is Senior Counsel for marketing, advertising, and communication issues at Bridgestone Americas, Inc. He will walk through what an entertainment, sports, and media attorney representing talent needs to know when their clients partner with brands, including the rules around endorsing products or services during the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything is subject to change at any moment. He will also discuss how best to protect your client when they launch remote or virtual influencer campaigns on a brand’s behalf.
1:20-2:20 | Building an Artist Team: The Secret to Lasting Success in a Competitive Industry (1.0 General)
Moderated by Jeff Allen, Bradley
Panelists include: Sam Powers, O'Neil Hagaman, and Tom Becci, Red Light Management
There is plenty of music industry talent, especially in Nashville. However, once you know that you that you have diamond in the rough, what’s the best way to ensure that he or she transitions successfully from an artist with little to no name recognition to a superstar that is a household name? The short answer: build a team! In this one-hour panel, you will hear from several music industry professionals who will share success stories from working on an artist team from the ground up, including navigating an artist’s first major record deal, building an artist brand through social media and fan engagement, and helping artists avoid pitfalls that can sometimes sink a career before it takes off.
2:20-2:30pm | Break
2:30-3:30pm | Songwriter Advocacy Update (1.0 General)
Presented by Tim Warnock, Riley, Warnock, and Jacobson, Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and Kris Ahrend, Mechanical Licensing Collective
Bart Herbison is the Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization and advocacy group. He will provide an update on implementation of the Music Modernization Act, including the creation and development of the Mechanical Licensing Collective and other matters affecting the world of copyright.
3:30-5:00pm | Sports Law Panel (1.5 Dual)
Panel 1: The Russell Rule: A Commitment to Change
Moderated by Dana Drew Shaw, Belmont University, Assistant Professor of Sport Admistration
Athlete advocacy for social justice issues is nothing new; but the emphasis and urgency for change has been reborn due to current societal issues. Of emphasis once again is the hiring initiatives of companies and institutions. The introduction of the “Russell Rule” requires institutions to commit to diversity hiring by including a member of a traditionally underrepresented community in the pool of final candidates. This applies to positions for every athletic director, senior administrator, head coach, and full-time assistant coach positions. With the initiative starting with the West Coast Conference, many other athletic conferences have followed suit and committed to implementing the Russell Rule. In this session, we’ll discuss the initiative as well as ethical concerns in implementing and policing such a policy.
Panel 2: Combat Coronavirus and Play One More Season of Collegiate Sports - OR - Accept an Agent's Offer to Live Like a Professional Athlete Today
Moderated by Jimmie Strong, Baker Donelson
This year, many athletes are faced with the decision to either (i) stay in school and hope Coronavirus doesn’t prevent them from playing the sport they love for the school they love or (ii) sign with an agent, get paid for the next several months, and train like a professional athlete. Each student-athlete must decide what is most important and what course of action is likely to lead to the best outcomes from the standpoints of draft positioning, educational goals, and physical health and safety. From moral and ethical perspectives, should agents, particularly agents who are lawyers, be financing these players’ lifestyles? How much is too much? What agreements should be signed and under what circumstances?
Shellie Handelsman, Handelsman Law
Molly Shehan, Milom Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan
1.5 Dual & 5.5 General
$0 | CLE Easy Passholder
$275 | NBA Members
$549 | Non-Members
Not an NBA Member? Join the NBA and register at the member rate.
Registration is available online or by calling 615-242-9272. If you prefer a physical registration form, you may download one here to submit with payment to the NBA.
