Sid Fohrman (JD '00) and Christiane Kinney (JD '98) Named to Billboard's Top Music Lawyers 2020 List

Pepperdine Caruso Law alumni Sid Fohrman (JD '00) and Christiane Kinney (JD '98) have been named to Billboard's Top Music Lawyers 2020 list. Fohrman is a partner in the Entertainment, Technology, and Advertising Practice Group at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton. Kinney is the founder and president of Kinney Law P.C., and was recently featured by Pepperdine Caruso Law here.

Via Billboard:

Sidney Fohrman

Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law

Fohrman and his colleagues advised Spotify as the streaming service presented the first Spotify Awards in Mexico City in March. "We supported Spotify on all aspects of this broadcast," he says, "from music rights, licensing and artist engagement to development and joint venture agreements with its international distribution partners." As the COVID-19 lockdown began, Fohrman says his firm created a task force to assist music clients filing applications for help under the CARES Act and assisted touring clients with the fallout of postponements and cancellations.

Christiane Kinney

Founder/president, Kinney Law

Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law

Kinney, who recently launched her own firm, has been an advocate for major-label and independent artists alike. "What can we do to help artist clients stand out and to offset the loss of touring money during this time?" says Kinney. "Thinking outside the box has been key." She has addressed issues with California's gig-worker legislation that passed in April after revisions to avoid harming working musicians. The rise of virtual concerts "requires a revised licensing infrastructure," she says.

Taking Action in the Moment: Kinney is cofounder/CEO of the Hearts Giving Hope Foundation, which provides music and art programs for at-risk youth.

The complete feature may be found here