Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Media and entertainment: Music

The team at boutique firm VARET PRÈS KILLY, co-headed by Xavier Près and Vincent Varet, is developing a strong reputation for its work in litigious matters involving alleged breaches of copyright in music.

Media and entertainment: Music in France

Herald Avocats

Jean Castelain, who is an experienced litigator in the music field, and Juliette Félix co-head the offering at Herald Avocats. The team is particularly adept in its advisory work on matters including the negotiation of management contracts as well as contracts regarding performers’ rights. In addition, the team is experienced in contentious work; its workload includes representing clients in disputes concerning alleged counterfeiting, unlawful copyrighting, and unauthorised sampling.

Practice head(s):

Jean Castelain; Juliette Felix

Reed Smith

Reed Smith has notable experience in music law, working domestically and internationally on the full spectrum of matters, namely representing high-profile clients in the music industry. The experienced Sophie Goossens leads the media and entertainment team, and has significant expertise in intellectual property and copyright law.

Practice head(s):

Sophie Goossens

UGGC Avocats

The music practice at UGGC Avocats is well-equipped to advise its clients, including Emmanuelle Haïm, on a broad range of matters across various genres of music. Its expertise varies, and includes assisting with cross-border negotiations involving music for such platforms as Netflix. In addition, it has a strong reputation for its provision of advice to artists on contracts regarding the protection of copyright for both live shows and recordings, and regarding the monetisation of their works. The team is also experienced in handling complex litigious matters. Anne-Marie Pecoraro, noted as an ‘absolute and unrivalled expert in music law’, is at the helm, ably supported by Rodolphe Boissau, who has significant experience in IP and entertainment law.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Marie Pecoraro

Other key lawyers:

Rodolphe Boissau

Testimonials

‘Anne-Marie Pecoraro is an absolute and unrivalled expert in music law.’

‘Anne-Marie Pecoraro is incomparable in music law.’

‘Anne-Marie is capable of facing giants and she is by far the best in copyright.’

‘Very well-known and reputable practice in the area of music, especially Anne Marie Pecoraro.’

Anne Marie Pecoraro is fantastic, she is very knowledgeable and knows the industry very well.’

Key clients

Jean-Paul Gaultier

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Rafe Production

Cité de la musique Philharmonie de Paris

Emmanuelle Haïm and Concert d’Astrée

CDC (Caisse des Dépôts et Consignation) spectacle AURA

Thierry Mugler

Mood Media

Nosonic

Makever (subsidiary of Mediawan)

Philippe Aglae

Kendell

Mako, LeSonDesVilles, NoSonic

ELYX – Fondation ELYX ; Twitter : @elyxyak – Yacine Ait Kaci

ECI/Eastwardent

Beyond Classics

Sybel

Work highlights

  • Advising Kendell regarding music and synchro with regards to advertising, TV and publishing, as it is looking for new growth in the USA.
  • Advised Audio Investissement in the context of various fundraisings conducted within the company and with a series of investors.
  • Advising Emmanuelle Haïm in the context of a 20th anniversary charity concert, regarding the renewing and restructuring all Emmanuelle’s contracts.

WAN Avocats

WAN Avocats‘ music team is led by Isabelle Wekstein-Steg and Raphaël Naccach and has a notable specialism in IP. Its workload involves assisting clients with the drafting and negotiation of agreements concerning publishing, synchronisation and distribution. It also has a track record handling litigious matters of significant value, particularly concerning IP matters related to alleged counterfeiting and copyright infringement. Associate Nicolas Rzeznik is developing a specialism in music law.

Practice head(s):

Isabelle Wekstein; Raphael Naccach

Other key lawyers:

Nicolas Rzeznik; Amélie Gouazé

Testimonials

‘Isabelle Wekstein has an excellent knowledge of the specificities of music law, as well as the issues and key players in the sector. She knows how to make herself available and strives to mobilize partners and collaborators from other specialties within her firm when necessary.’

‘In addition to her rigor and legal expertise, Isabelle Wekstein pays particular attention to understanding the needs and challenges of her client in a global manner, which allows her to offer innovative solutions. This particularly sets her apart from other lawyers in the sector.’

Barnett Avocats

IP specialist Marc-Olivier Deblanc leads the music team at Barnett Avocats. The group's workload includes advising its clients, predominantly music publishers and artists, on the drafting and negotiation of agreements designed to prevent the exploitation of music, composer agreements and transfer rights. Its litigation experience is also noteworthy, and it acts for high-profile artists in disputes regarding copyrights and trademarks.

Practice head(s):

Marc-Olivier Deblanc

Other key lawyers:

Apolline Noyer

Key clients

Rush Management

Association des Superviseurs Musicaux

Sixième Son

Page 114 – Jacques Audiard

Agence Gloria – Jeff Génie

Pigalle Production

Prosadis

French Flair

Un Plan Simple

A440

GMT Productions

Aimko

Actance Law Firm

Intervista Law Firm

Chantal Crousel Gallery

Lito GmbH

Galerie Armel Soyer

Bleu Kobalt

Groupe SOS

Jérôme Sans EURL

Laurent Grasso

Philippe Ramette

TAKT

White Panama Films

Producing Love

Mariane Ibrahim Gallery

Agence Eva Albarran

Superbien

Frédéric Allard

Société du Grand Paris

Josette Music Club

Work highlights

  • Advising CSDEM, the French Professional Union Publisher, regarding NFT and IP rights.
  • Advising the French Music Supervisor Guild on the drafting of music supervisor and master services agreements, respectively.

CMS Francis Lefebvre

Anne-Laure Villedieu heads the broader IP and media team at CMS Francis Lefebvre and counsel Florentin Sanson leads the music offering. The team has a niche focus on podcasts, advising renowned clients on domestic regulations in this area. Additionally, it is experienced in advising on the adaptation of musical content for various media forms, as well as on the impact of Covid-19 on live show productions. The team is also equipped to act on cross-border cases involving such matters as the alleged copyright infringement of lyrical works.

Practice head(s):

Anne-Laure Villedieu

Other key lawyers:

Florentin Sanson