Register now and join your colleagues for the Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Committee’s premier annual event at a new and convenient venue. For the first time, you can get all seven of your required “live” CLE credits at this one event!
This full day, information-packed seminar will feature panels or presentations on exploring the FBI’s role in working with artists who are targeted by criminals, a legal primer on making independent films, Professor Stan Soocher’s tried and true entertainment litigation “year in review,” taking a closer look into the growing indie sector of the music industry, highlighting the legal requirements and potential pitfalls of celebrity endorsements and brand partnerships, and an important discussion on Title IX jurisprudence and sexual harassment, assault, and abuse claims in professional sports (dual ethics).
If you practice in entertainment, sports, or media law, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to stay current on timely topics and network with other colleagues in your field. Attorneys in other legal practice areas are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Lunch and a reception are included with registration.
Free parking is available at Horton events, but there are limited spaces. Overflow parking is available at the Nashville Rescue Mission, City Winery, and a paved lot behind the building. For those who must pay for a spot, parking will be reimbursed.

8:30-9:00am | Registration
9:00-10:00am | A Legal Primer for Making Independent Films (1.0 General)
Presented by Kelly L. Frey, Partner, Nelson Mullins
As a leading practitioner who frequently represents indie film production and media companies and an executive producer for several feature films, Kelly Frey is particularly well suited to discuss the legal issues associated with producing independent films. As a timely follow-up to last year’s documentary film presentation, this informative and interactive presentation will feature examples from independent film projects that Kelly has worked on to illustrate the five stages involved in making independent films: (1) development; (2) pre-production; (3) production (or principle photography); (4) post-production; and (5) distribution.
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-12:40pm | A Larger Piece of the Pie: The Legal Landscape Surrounding the Growth of Independent Record Labels and Music Publishers (1.5 General)
Moderated by Lauren Kilgore, Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP
Panelists include: Derek Anderson, Director, Revenue and Streaming, Black River Entertainment, LLC; Christian Barker, Special Counsel, Lewis Thomason; Scott Safford, Partner, Safford Motley PLC; Molly Shehan, Partner, Milon Horsnell Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Jason Turner, Partner, Keller Turner Andrews & Ghanem, PLLC.
In 2018, independent labels accounted for nearly 34% of the global market share for the recorded music industry, and independent publishers accounted for over 40% of the global market share for the music publishing industry. Collectively, the indies have surpassed all of the “Big 3” majors (Universal, Warner, and Sony) in terms of market share, which means their seat at the table has become more important than ever before. In this panel, legal practitioners and industry representatives will discuss the legal landscape in which the indies currently operate, including important contract terms and negotiation strategies among indies and their artists and songwriters. This panel will also explore some key differences between independent music companies and their major counterparts, as well as the ways that the indies and majors often work together (i.e., through acquisitions and distribution).
12:40-1:00pm | Lunch
1:00-1:30pm | Truth in Advertising 101 (0.5 General)
Presented by Todd Hartley, Senior Counsel for Marketing, Advertising, and Communication Issues at Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Todd Hartley will walk you 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 service. He will also discuss how best to protect your client when they launch influencer campaigns on a brand’s behalf.
1:30-1:40pm | Break
1:40-3:10 | You’ve Got a Friend in the FBI (1.5 General)
Moderated by T.D. Ruth, Partner, Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP
Panelists include Supervisory Special Agent Richard M. Baer, Supervisory Special Agent Anthony "Monte" Frazier, and Special Agent Michael "Shane" Jemelka.
Artists make good targets for bad people, including stalkers, hackers, and bootleggers. Yet many artists and their teams don't know where to turn when problems arise. We will discuss the FBI's role in the process, including the types of crimes they deal with, how investigations are conducted, and issues that arise in going after the bad guys. When you or your client faces a threat, don't be caught unprepared.
3:10-3:20pm | Break
3:20-4:50pm | Sports Law Panel (1.5 Dual)
Panelists include Audrey Anderson, Bass, Berry & Sims, Shan Foster, AMEND Program - YWCA, Che Mock, ESQ Agency, and Beth DeBauche
Panel 1: Title IX: The Evolution of a 37-word Federal Law and its Vast Impact on Society
Moderated by Dana Drew Shaw, Assistant Professor of Sport Administration, Belmont University
Enacted in 1972, this federal law has created confusion and controversy as courts have worked to define the scope of its impact. An examination of the historic decisions as well as current trends and proposed regulations will provide the basis of a discussion of equity in educational institutions centered around athletics.
Panel 2: Out of Bounds: Defining Inappropriate Behavior by Professionals in the Sport Industry both at Work and at Home
Moderated by Jimmie Strong, Baker Donelson
Sexual harassment, sexual assault, and domestic abuse dominate headlines when professional athletes are involved. Are athletes held to a different standard? Is there recourse for false claims of harassment or assault if an athlete’s career is affected? Review of filed claims as well as relevant dialogue of this societal issue will shape the ethics portions of this session.
4:50pm | Happy Hour Reception
Jeffrey L. Allen, Bradley
Shellie Handelsman, Handelsman Law
1.5 Dual & 5.5 General
$0 | CLE Easy Passholder
$275 | NBA Members
$549 | Non-Members
After December 4, a $10 late fee will be added.
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.