MUSIC’S HOTTEST FIRMS: GRUBMAN SHIRE MEISELAS & SACKS
The music-law firm founded by Allen Grubman in 1974 has evolved into Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, the largest entertainment-law firm in the U.S. Department heads Kenny Meiselas, Larry Shire and Eric Sacks lead the firm’s divisions, which represent unparalleled talent, major TV/film and media entities as well as executives and rights holders at the highest levels of their professions.
Overseeing the firm’s music department, Meiselas represents modern-day icons across hip-hop and contemporary pop. The music department’s roster of classic artists includes Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, AC/ DC, Sting, Elton John, Bette Midler, Lionel Richie and Barbra Streisand, who are repped by Grubman. Next-generation superstars Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Usher, Norah Jones, Andre 3000, as well as hip-hop giants Lil Wayne, Nas, Rick Ross, Swae Lee and, Nav are advised by Meiselas and his team, as are Whitney Houston (Estate), Mike Tyson, and many high-level executives in the entertainment industry.
Meiselas also counsels rising stars Jhené Aiko, Ella Mai, Bebe Rexha, Madison Beer, Ali Gatie and Carly Rae Jepsen, along with newcomers Fousheé, Audrey Nuna and Shenseea, and songwriting and production talents Timbaland, Ester Dean, Belly and Victoria Monet.
Throughout the last 18 months, as The Weeknd exploded to stadium-sized levels, Meiselas advised Abel Tesfaye through deals with the NFL and Pepsi’s Super Halftime Show, the expansion of his film/TV footprint from acting (Uncut Gems) to writing, creating and producing and media’s next frontier of auctioning NFT artwork and music, which raised over $2 million.
Lady Gaga’s brand expansion, advised by Meiselas, includes her cosmetics line, Haus Laboratories (in partnership with Amazon), and endorsements with Valentino, Dom Pérignon and Tudor. Her acting career has also excelled to a new level following her Oscar-nominated role in A Star Is Born, as Gaga is currently filming Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, in which she has a starring role.
Leading the millennial contingent of music lawyers at the firm is David Jacobs. He represents emerging artists and tomorrow’s superstars, many of whom were subjects of huge bidding wars, including Kali Uchis, Jessie Reyez, Lil Nas X and Surf Mesa as well as many producers including Take a Daytrip. Attorney Matt Kamen represents A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, model Winnie Harlow and actress/singer Isabela Moner, and Grace Kim oversees the critically acclaimed Lizzo.
Veteran legal eagles who work side by side with Meiselas and Grubman on superstar clients include Joe Brenner, Sonya Guardo, Don Friedman, Joseph Penachio, Pamela Gurley and Ted Harris. Brenner oversees Spotify (with Grubman), Group Nine, Genius and other new-media ventures, as well as Mariah Carey, Sting and U2 (with Grubman and David Toraya). Stuart Prager heads the music-publishing department, while Michael Goldsmith leads touring. Young lawyers including Diana Kovacs, Evan Levane, Ilana Shapiro, Kate Moore, Brooke Schachner and Mica Rollock round out the music team.
