Music Law Conference
Speaker Bios
Var Thelin – Founder of No Idea
Var Thelin, a Gainesville native, is the co-founder and owner of No Idea Records. No Idea is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida that produces both vinyl records and compact discs.
No Idea Records started not as a record label, but as a 'zine in 1985, published independently by Var Thelin and some friends from high school. By the seventh issue in 1989, Var was running the 'zine with other contributors and collaborators. Starting with the sixth edition, the No Idea 'zine included 7- inch records with each issue. The first featured a local Gainesville band called Doldrums, and the second was a split 7", one side of which belonged to later Bay-Area legends Crimpshrine, a major influence on the musical style which dominates No Idea to the present. Since its beginnings, No Idea has remained a foundation of the Gainesville punk scene and is considered by many to have spawned its very own style of punk rock. The label also organizes The Fest, an independently operated annual festival known for featuring over 250 punk, hardcore, country, metal, indie rock, avant-garde and similar musical acts across many venues for 3 days in Gainesville, Florida each fall.
Chrissie Scelsi – Entertainment Attorney
Chrissie Scelsi is the principal of Scelsi Entertainment and New Media Law, P.L., with offices in Port Charlotte and Orlando, Florida. She practices entertainment and intellectual property law, including but not limited to matters for clients in music, film, video games, interactive and social media, as well as copyright, trademark and general business counseling. Ms. Scelsi is also assistant legal counsel at Bohemia Interactive Simulations in Orlando, Florida. She is a member of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, as well as the Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries. She is a Young Lawyer Fellow for the Section of Intellectual Property Law, and is a member of the Annual Review Editorial Board. Ms. Scelsi is co-editor of the recent book Computer Games and Virtual Worlds: A New Frontier in Intellectual Property Law, published in the spring of 2010. She has served as the co-chair of the Publications Subcommittee for the Committee on Computer Gaming and Virtual Worlds for the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law. Ms. Scelsi is also a member of the Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section Legislative Subcommittee. She is also the author of the PunkLawyer blog, which focuses on entertainment law matters with the independent scene in mind.
Ms. Scelsi graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2004, where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and also studied music business. She graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2007. Ms. Scelsi can be contacted at chrissie@scelsilaw.com, or (941) 204-7363.
Brian Mencher
Brian Mencher is a founding partner of Beame & Mencher LLP. He handles legal matters in the entertainment industries, with particular focus on artist representation, intellectual property management, contract drafting, and general business governance. Mr. Mencher’s clients include start- up record labels, award-winning filmmakers, film actors, musicians, booking agents, producers, and other professionals in the entertainment industries. As an experienced musician, Brian brings first-hand knowledge to the representation of his clients.
Vladimir Vukicevic
Vladimir Vukicevic is an entrepreneur and established thought leader in the world of social media and innovation. He has taught Fortune 500 companies how to apply innovative technology, combined pop culture with management theory on his blog, and is the co-founder of RocketHub. Vlad is the co-author of The Crowdfunding Manifesto, a popular foundational resource for musicians and other artists. Vlad and the RocketHub team share a bold vision: that crowdfunding is the new path to creative empowerment.
Marc Stollman – S2BN Entertainment Corporation
Marc Stollman has recently re-opened his full service entertainment law practice after three years as "in-house" General Counsel for an important multi-platform entertainment company (see below). Marc has practiced transactional entertainment law for nearly 20 years, representing record companies, producers, recording artists, writers, music publishers, promoters, television studios, production companies and networks, music video producers, internet companies, radio stations, managers, executives, athletes, etc. Active representation of both companies and "talent" provides Marc with a unique perspective and the valuable ability to respect and understand "both sides of a relationship".
Between 2007 and June, 2010, Marc headed the legal department and was responsible for all legal and business affairs at S2BN Entertainment Corporation (and its predecessors). S2BN is an international family show and event based entertainment company specializing in the acquisition, development, production, and promotion of high caliber touring exhibitions, unique live music tours and events, theatrical performances, and consumer and multimedia product offerings, spearheaded by Michael Cohl, the biggest concert promoter in the world. Prior to being spun off as an independent company, while during its tenure as part of the “Live Nation Artists” division of Live Nation, Marc and his group was responsible for advancing the “360 model” and the signings of Madonna, U2, Shakira, Jay-Z, and Nickelback, all of which were drafted and negotiated by Marc.
Prior to receiving his JD degree from Nova University, Marc received B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Rutgers University. Marc has taught Intellectual Property courses at Florida Atlantic University as a repeat adjunct professor and has been a frequent speaker and/or moderator at numerous entertainment industry functions and seminars.
Vinnie Fiorello – Drummer of Less than Jake; Founder of Paper+Plastik Records; Founder of Fueled by Ramen.
Vinnie is a founding member of the ska punk band Less Than Jake, Vinnie is the founder, and former owner, of the Fueled by Ramen record label. Originally a small project to release music of bands he personally liked, the label expanded, releasing music from such high-profile artists as Panic! at the Disco and Fall Out Boy, and list the likes of Yellowcard, Jimmy Eat World and Home Grown as label alumni. Vinnie stated in his blog that he left Fueled by Ramen in late 2006.
He also owns the online designer toy and clothes company Wünderland War, formerly Monkey vs. Robot. The company has previously sponsored a Threadless competition. They are currently manufacturing their third series of toys, entitled "Symptoms", and is creating a new music management company called SETAFIRE. Fiorello has also recently started Paper + Plastick, a record label focused on joining artwork and music.
As well as musician, Fiorello is now a children's author. His first book "Sometimes Robots Like Being Robots: 13 Stories Looking Into the World of Robots" is due for release in December 2008.
Bill Henslee - Entertainment Attorney, Professor and Author
Bill Henslee has been involved in the entertainment business since 1976 when he became a band manager in Honolulu, Hawaii. After moving to Los Angeles, he established the music and sports management firm of Henslee & Weisberger in 1984. In 1986, he established the music publishing company, American Pride Publishing. Since moving to Orlando in 2002, he has continued to consult with clients involved in entertainment and sports. In 2005, Bill was a co-producer of the film: The Karaoke King. In addition, Bill was the producer and co-writer for Michael Reardon's Climb On! Series videos: Joshua Tree and Bishop. Over the years Bill has represented numerous clients in entertainment and sports.
Bill is an Associate Professor of Law and founding faculty member at Florida A&M University College of Law. He teaches Entertainment, Theater Law, Sports Law, Labor Law, Copyright, Trademarks and Unfair Competition, Intellectual Property Survey, and Travel Law. Prior to moving to FAMU, Bill taught for twelve years at Pepperdine University School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar. He recently retired as a certified contract advisor for the National Football League Player's Association and the Canadian Football League Player's Association.
In 2004, he co-authored two textbooks: Entertainment Law: Cases and Materials on Film, Television, and Music, and Cases and Materials in Theatre Law. In 2006 he co-authored the Fifth Edition of the American Bar Association publication, Non-Legal Careers for Lawyers. He is currently writing the third edition of his Entertainment Law Careers. In 1997 Carolina Academic Press published Bill's first co-authored textbook, Travel Law. All law students who join the American Bar Association receive his publication, How to Survive the First Year of Law School. Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Hawaii, where he won the Clark Award for Creative Writing awarded to the university's most promising writers. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Bill was awarded his Masters of Fine Arts Degree from UCLA's Graduate School of Theatre, Film, and Television.
Seth Horan – Singer/Songwriter
Seth Horan is a touring singer/songwriter. And there are thousands of those. He left RCA band Vertical Horizon in 1998, right on the brink of that band's multi-platinum success, and decided to play his songs alone on his bass rather than pick up the traditional six-string acoustic guitar hailed as the universal standard for songwriters.
He did this to push the envelope of modern songwriting and performance; to see how far he could go while still being accepted by the mainstream; and to explore a new sound in a market that becomes more homogenized every day. To say that Horan "plays the bass like a guitar" is a vast understatement. More to the point, he plays it like a dulcimer, a drum set, a harp, and a xylophone all at the same time,using a unique blend of fingerpicking, slapping, tapping, harmonics, and chording to accompany his voice.
This quote from the Ocean City Beachcomber sums it up:"He plays solo bass guitar like Victor Wooten, sings songs like John Mayer and Ani DiFranco, and performs with the intensity of Martin Sexton. He's a freak of nature, and he's phenomenal."
Horan toured the USA non-stop on the college circuit through 2005, then went international, touring through 16 countries around the globe through 2008. He was on the roster of indie label Benchmark Records from 2003-04, releasing two titles in that time, and has since found patronage and tour support through the music merchandising industry, leveraging relationships with companies who manufacture instruments, amplifiers, and electronics.
In addition to being a panelist, Horan will be showcasing during the conference.
Cassandra Willard – Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Attorney
Cassandra Willard is a partner at the law firm of Franklin & Willard in Orlando where she focuses her practice on intellectual property and entertainment law. She works with artists, performers, filmmakers, writers, special effects/make-up artists, graphic designers, promotions companies, venues, labels, managers and DJs to negotiate contracts, safeguard intellectual property and limit her clients' potential liabilities.
Before joining her firm, she worked in various aspects of the entertainment law industry, including Planet Hollywood's corporate legal department and working for a boutique firm specializing in technology law. Through these positions, she gained practical experience with licensing, merchandising, leasing, general business liability and diverse technology and intellectual property issues. This background also afforded her experience with the special issues that international companies and solo artists face in the industry.
In addition to her practice, she is a course director, teaching Advanced Entertainment Law, at Full Sail University in the Entertainment Business Masters Program. Her broad experience in teaching includes not only Full Sail but also various other colleges and universities in Florida. She taught classes on Business Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Cyber/Internet Law.
She has been a panelist for the Winter Music Conference, Florida Music Festival, AIGA and various Florida Bar CLE programs. She is currently serving her second term as an officer for the Entertainment, Art & Sports Law section of the Florida Bar.
Cassandra graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business, focusing on Finance/Real Estate, Hospitality and Accounting, from the University of Central Florida. She then earned her J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida's College of Law, with a focus in Intellectual Property.
Jason Gordon – Entertainment Attorney
Jason Gordon got his start in the music business at the age of 14 when he picked up a set of drum sticks. Jason went on to major in music industry at the University of Miami and became a DJ and Program Director at WVUM, the radio station at the school. Along the way, he played in a number of bands.
After college, Jason put his knowledge of college radio to use by starting a radio promotions company called Dalin Records. Jason promoted numerous bands to college and commercial radio stations around the country. Dalin Records eventually expanded into a record label and put out two commercial releases which were played on radio stations around the country, and were also used on several TV shows.
Deciding to pursue his interest in the law, Jason became a law student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law where he assisted with the first Music Law Conference as Showcase Chair, and went on to be the Chairperson for the Second Music Law Conference.
Paul Trust – Music Producer, Engineer, Songwriter, Mixer, and Studio Drummer
Paul's musical journey was jumpstarted when his band, Jesse Strange, signed to Sony Music in the eighties. His introduction to the music industry ignited his passion for music production. "I realized early on that what I enjoyed about being in a band was the creative process of making music--from writing, to recording, to the final mix," explains Trust.
His passions also led Paul to the acclaimed University of Miami School of Music Engineering, where he received his degree. "It was a great scenario for me. While everyone else was off recording jazz trios and whatnot, I was always in search of the rockers on campus, so I could record my own songs," says Trust. Over the next decade, Paul became an influential force within South Florida music scene. He signed, developed, and produced some of the area's most notable artists including: Endo, Crease, Al's Not Well, Sunday Driver, and most recently the radio success, Atom Smash.
His ongoing and lengthy credit list encompasses a diverse mix of Rock, Metal, Pop, and R&B— ranging from collaborations with hard-rockers Lansdowne, indie punk darlings Say Anything, hardcore heroes Diecast, vocal legend Millie Jackson, and countless others. Paul has also had the pleasure of working with production team The Matrix (Avril, Hillary Duff). "I really enjoy working with all types of artists," says Trust. It's one of the true benefits of being a producer and songwriter."
Julee Milham -- Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Attorney
Julee Milham has practiced business, intellectual property, and entertainment law since 1986 and is licensed in Florida, New York, California and the District of Columbia. A graduate of Stetson University and Stetson University College of Law, she studied Comparative Human Rights and Corporate Governance at Oxford College of Law in Oxford, England and is admitted to the Roll of Solicitors for England and Wales.
Julee is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell and one of approximately 120 Florida lawyers who is board certified in the area of Intellectual Property Law. She is Chair Emeritus of the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the Florida Bar and serves on its Executive Council. Julee is the author of both editions of the Florida Bar's FasTrain, The Practice of Music Law in Florida. She also authored The Arts and the Law/Florida for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, which she served as a volunteer and advisory council member in Pinellas County from 1995 until its closing in 2006.
An adjunct professor of Entertainment Law at Stetson University College of Law, Julee serves in an advisory capacity on the Pinellas County Film Commission Marketing Panel and the National Sports & Entertainment Law Society Advisory Board. She is also a certified arbitrator and mediator and is a small claims and civil traffic infraction hearing officer for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Julee has an extensive commercial litigation background on both the trial and appellate levels, including that involving national and multidistrict litigation. Today, her practice is almost exclusively transactional and advisory in the intellectual property, entertainment, and amusement fields. Julee's other endeavor is participating in and supporting the field of microfinance.
Davey Spicciati, Esq. – Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Attorney
Davey Spicciati dedicates her practice to the areas of Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property, and Business and Corporate law as an associate with The Draves Law Firm, PA in Orlando, Florida. After she earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Central Florida, she attended Barry University Law School in Orlando, Florida, as well as the University College London, England. While enrolled at Barry University, she was a member of Law Review and represented the school in the National Moot Court Entertainment Law Competition, where she placed ninth in a field of competitors from across the country. In 2005, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Barry University School of Law.
Davey created the Music Business Law class for Full Sail University, where she currently teaches a course in Copyright & Music Publishing. In addition, Davey is on the Board of Directors for The Center for Contemporary Dance in Winter Park, Florida and is a volunteer arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau. She currently represents clients in many areas of the entertainment industry, including musicians, artists, filmmakers, actors, agents, managers, promoters and production companies.
Jean Perwin – Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Attorney
Jean S. Perwin has been practicing in the area of Intellectual Property Law, Entertainment and General Corporate Law since 1988 when she left the corporate and banking firm of Stuzin and Camner in Miami, Florida, to concentrate on copyright and trademark and other intellectual property, entertainment, and corporate matters for a wide range of clients. Ms. Perwin represents graphic design firms, web site designers, advertising agencies, internet service providers, computer software and CD ROM production companies, dance companies, individual visual artists and photographers, screenwriters, authors, publishers, musicians, theaters and performing arts organizations, city governments, architects, local manufacturers and various small to mid-size companies ranging from Federal Credit Unions to mortgage companies. The firm handles copyright and trademark registration, infringement litigation, copyright, trademark and patent licensing, entertainment and general business contracts, partnerships, and for profit and non-profit corporate matters.
Ms. Perwin is a past chair of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of The Florida Bar. She is the co-author of The Artist's Friendly Legal Guide, the author of Electronic Copyright, a columnist for How Magazine and the Artist's Magazine and the author of numerous articles on copyright and trademark law. She is counsel to the Board of the Miami Design Preservation League and has lectured widely in the copyright, trademark and contracts area for The Florida Bar and other art, entertainment and business organizations.
Ms. Perwin is a graduate of Boston College Law School where she served as articles editor of the Boston College Law Review. She is a member of the Bar in Florida, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. She lives on Miami Beach with her husband, appellate lawyer Joel Perwin, and has two grown children.
Alexander J. Ploegsma – Music Law Attorney
Alexander J. Ploegsma received his Bachelor of Science in International Business from Trinity University in San Antonio Texas in 2006 and earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 2009 where he was the president of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society. He began his legal career in the summer of 2008 as a law clerk at the firm Greenberg Traurig in Houston, Texas where he assisted other attorneys on various legal issues related to copyright, entertainment, employment, trademark, and tort matters. In 2009 he moved to New York City to join the law firm Tavel & Associates, P.C. as a law clerk and legal assistant working on various entertainment related projects including recording, publishing, management, production, merchandising, licensing and sponsorship agreements.
Currently Alexander is an associate attorney for two of the founding partners and one of the top of council attorneys at Serling Rooks Ferrara McKoy & Worob, LLP; one of the most prominent boutique music law firms in the country based in New York City. Before his career in entertainment law Alexander garnered experience in the music and entertainment industry while working as promotions director at Skinnycorp/Threadless, artist sponsor at Triple 5 Soul NYC, legal intern at Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, and as sponsorship coordinator at PureVolume, Inc. (The Pure Volume House Austin Texas).
Jeffrey Harrison – Intellectual Property Professor at Levin College of Law
Jeffrey Harrison is the Stephen C. O'Connell Chair and Professor of Law at the Levin College of Law. He received his B.A,. M.B.A., and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Florida. He earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina. He has published several books and articles in the areas of antitrust, copyright, contracts and law and economics. His works have been cited by courts at every level including the United States Supreme Court.
Michelle Fantus – A&R Coordinator at Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Michelle Fantus seemed destined to work in the music industry from an early age when she began listening to music and began interacting with up-and-coming bands that would eventually become household names. It felt like a perfect fit, and soon she turned her passion into a career, bringing her to where she now is today.
Currently an A&R Coordinator at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Michelle works with some of today's top industry executives, artists, writers, and producers, and also scouts for new talent. In addition, she books her own showcase events at various music venues around New York City through her side-business, No Pulp Music, to spotlight and promote emerging artists.
Michelle constantly builds on top of her ever expanding knowledge and awareness of music and the industry. She attends multiple showcases per week, reads music blogs religiously, and conducts research to track music trends across the country. Through remaining aware of what's happening in this ever-changing industry, she plans to continue her growth in music publishing A&R.
Jill Womble – Negotiation and Mediation Professor
Jill Womble recently retired as the Chief Negotiator for The City of Gainesville ("The City") and Gainesville Regional Utilities ("GRU"). In that capacity, she was responsible for negotiations of seven labor agreements with five unions and major construction contracts. She also consulted in the areas of legal services, strategic planning, energy supply, human resources, and enterprise engineering. She currently serves as a consultant for The City and GRU in the area of pension bargaining. Jill is an adjunct professor at Levin College of Law assisting in the following courses: Negotiation and Mediation, Mediation Advocacy, and Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiations. In her capacity as a Florida Supreme Court certified assistant trainer, she also assists with the Mediation Clinic, and Mediation Skills courses. A graduate of Southern Illinois University in Mechanical Engineering, a graduate of Kennedy-Western University in Environmental Engineering, and graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Jill's expertise includes contract negotiations, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, and labor negotiations. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified county court mediator, Florida Supreme Court certified assistant trainer, ISO 9000 certified lead assessor, and a member of the Florida Bar and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida. She has over twenty years of experience in executive leadership, most recently at South Florida Water Management District in West Palm Beach, Florida. Jill was a management professional at Sensormatic Electronics in Boca Raton, Florida and held various leadership positions at Florida Power and Light ("FPL") in Delray Beach, Florida. She has administered collective bargaining agreements between FPL and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW").
Jeff Levin – A&R Manager for Pure Tone Music
Jeff Levin is Pure Tone's A+R manager. Although at a young age, Jeff has been active in the entertainment industry for four years now. Starting with film production companies, his talents were quickly noticed as he continually succeeded with every project he could put his hands on. After a few years in film, Jeff found his calling in music- more specifically in A+R. After discovering several local artists, he had the opportunity to showcase one of them to Pete Ganbarg of Pure Tone Music. Pete's specific interest in one of them led to Jeff's involvement with several of Pete's up and coming projects. Now, fully active within the music industry, Jeff inputs his talents into working with Pure Tone's wide variety of artists.