Steve Gordon is an entertainment attorney with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, including 10 years as Director of Business Affairs for Sony Music, attorney at a law firm representing Atlantic and Elektra Records, and in-house music counsel for a Hollywood Studio. His current and recent clients include entertainment companies such as MTV, Music Choice, Time Life Films and Soul Train Holdings; record labels such as Smithsonian Folkways and Shout Factory; Television Services such as PBS, Maryland and Louisiana Public Broadcasting; and established as well as up-and-coming artists, producers, indie labels, and managers.
Steve also operates a music clearance service for producers and distributors of documentaries, concert videos, feature films, home video, audio compilations, and both streaming and interactive music based websites and apps.
Other areas of his practice include serving as an expert witness in cases involving the music business and digital entertainment; counseling producers of and participants in reality TV shows; registering trademarks and copyrights; and advising on copyright and contract litigation.
Steve is the author of The Future of the Music Business (Hal Leonard 4th ed. 2015). The book provides a legal and business roadmap to artists, entrepreneurs and music industry professionals for success in today's music business. The 4th Edition is updated at www.futureofthemusicbusiness.com.
Steve is proud to announce that Hal Leonard recently published his new book: The 11 Contracts That Every Artist, Songwriter and Producer Should Know. You can buy a copy at a discounted price by clicking here, or from Amazon. Buyers will also gain exclusive access to video content ranging from analysis of various music industry contracts to expert advice on music clearances and licensing. Here is brief summary of the book:
The 11 Contracts Every Artist, Songwriter, and Producer Should Know is an in-depth guide to help artists, songwriters, and producers navigate the tricky world of contract negotiations in the music industry. This book analyzes the most common, and important, contracts – including management, production company, sync license, and producer agreements – all paired with professional commentary and exclusive interviews with top industry moguls. Readers will learn the ins and outs of both the legal and business side of contracts in the music industry so that they will never find themselves stuck on the wrong side of a bad deal.
Also an educator, Steve frequently lectures on entertainment law and music business issues, and is the recipient of two Fulbright scholarships. In 2008, he presented a series of lectures as a Fulbright at Bocconi University in Milan, and in 2010 he taught a course on the music business at Tel Aviv University's Recanati School of Business.
