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Dina LaPolt
Photo of Dina LaPolt, entertainment attorney
NationalityAmerican
EducationJohn F. Kennedy University
OccupationEntertainment Attorney
OrganizationLaPolt Law
Known forEntertainment Law
Board member ofSongwriters of North America, City of Hope's Music, Film & Entertainment Industry Group, Neil Lasher Foundation, Friendly House LA, We Are R.I.S.E.
Websitelapoltlaw.com

Dina LaPolt is an American entertainment lawyer and artist rights advocate based in Los Angeles, California.[1] After an early career in the music industry, she became an entertainment lawyer in 1997. She is the founder and owner of LaPolt Law.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

LaPolt became an attorney in 1997[3] after being in the music industry from age 13. Formerly a musician, LaPolt performed in multiple rock bands on the East Coast (1980-1990s). LaPolt later became a club promoter and artist manager working for Streetgang Productions.[4] She received her bachelor's degree in music from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

In 1991 LaPolt relocated from New York City to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she taught guitar lessons and played lead guitar in the all-female band Irresistible Impulse, named after the criminal law defense. The band became influential in the gay and lesbian club scene. LaPolt often used the stage to advocate for gay rights. In 1993, she enrolled in law school at John F. Kennedy University in Walnut Creek. Shortly after passing the California bar exam, LaPolt moved to Los Angeles in June 1997.[5]

Career

[edit]

LaPolt's early entertainment law clients were Playboy Playmates including Carrie Stevens and Victoria Silvstedt. In 2001 she founded LaPolt Law, a Los Angeles-based law firm representing entertainers and entrepreneurs.

Among LaPolt's earliest clients was the activist Afeni Shakur, mother of late rapper Tupac Shakur. From 1998 to 2010, LaPolt was the entertainment attorney for the Tupac Shakur estate, and served on the board of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts.[6] Alongside Afeni Shakur, LaPolt oversaw the release of ten posthumous Tupac albums and several books, including The Rose That Grew from Concrete, 2Pac's Greatest Hits, Better Dayz, and Until the End of Time.[7][8]

In 2013, LaPolt assisted deadmau5 in settling his trademark dispute with The Walt Disney Company.[9] Disney argued that Zimmerman's signature mau5head headgear and logo resembled their Mickey Mouse cartoon character, thus attempting to block his trademark registration.[10]

In October 2016, LaPolt gave a TED Talk on the importance of standing up for songwriters.[11]

After the 2017 departure of Camila Cabello, LaPolt renegotiated Fifth Harmony's contract with Epic Records, and helped the group regain control of their brand.[12][13]

In 2018 LaPolt took on The White House and for the second time shut down President Donald Trump for unlicensed use of her client, Steven Tyler's, music during Trump's rallies.[14]

In February 2019, LaPolt helped secure the release of her client, rapper 21 Savage (She'yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph) from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention after he was unfairly targeted by the Trump Administration due to his race and immigration status. On February 12, 2019, 21 Savage was released on bond.[15]

In 2019 LaPolt became the youngest person and the second woman to receive The Recording Academy's Service Award at its annual Entertainment Law Initiative event. That same year she was inducted into Billboard's Women in Music Hall of Fame.[16]

From 2002 to 2019, LaPolt taught "Legal and Practical Aspects of the Music Business” in the Entertainment Studies Department at UCLA Extension,[17] and has taught and lectured throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. She is the editor of the book, Building Your Artist's Brand as a Business, published in 2012 by the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers in Cannes, France.[18]

Film and television

[edit]

LaPolt served as an executive producer of the reality series on AXS TV called Real Money, chronicling her client Eddie Money and his family of seven. The show was released in April 2018, and ran for two seasons.[19] LaPolt also was an associate producer on Becoming Chaz, a documentary released in 2011 discussing the gender transformation of Chaz Bono.[20]

LaPolt was a co-producer of the Oscar-nominated 2003 documentary Tupac: Resurrection. In 2022, LaPolt was engaged by the Shakur estate to produce Peace, Love & Respect: The Afeni Shakur Story, chronicling the activist's work as a key figure in the Black Panther party.

Advocacy

[edit]

LaPolt has been involved in legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of the music community. In 2013, LaPolt helped write proposed legislation on the right of privacy for celebrities and other public figures in the state of Hawaii along with Senator Kalani English, D-Maui.[21][22] The “Steven Tyler Act” passed through the state Senate with only one opposing vote.[23] Although the measure failed in the House of Representatives two months later, the legislation stayed active for two years.[24][25]

She has also submitted comment papers to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office and Department of Justice on various legislative issues.[26][27] In October 2015, LaPolt spoke in front of members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee at UCLA as part of their ongoing review of copyright law.[28]

In 2015, LaPolt helped found songwriter advocacy group the Songwriters of North America (SONA) with songwriters Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley. SONA has grown to now include over 600 songwriters including Kara DioGuardi, Siedah Garrett, Justin Tranter, Mozella, Busbee, Priscilla Renea, Diane Warren, Claudia Brant, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Rick Nowels, Darrell Brown, Dave Bassett, and 21 Savage. LaPolt also serves as an attorney advisor to the GRAMMY Creators Alliance, announced during the 2015 GRAMMY Awards broadcast.[29]

In 2016,[30] orchestrated the filing of on behalf of the Songwriters of North America in connection with the DOJ's mandate requiring 100% licensing by each of the major Performing Rights Organizations.[31][30][32]

In 2017, LaPolt worked with members of Congress to write and introduce the Music Modernization Act (MMA), which changed the way songwriters are paid for use of their works by streaming services.[33] In April 2018, LaPolt was recognized on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by the MMA's author, Congressman Doug Collins, R-Ga., for her work spearheading the MMA.[34] In September 2018,[35] the Music Modernization Act was unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate.[36][37]

In March 2020, again through the Songwriters of North America and as well as the Nashville Songwriters Association International, LaPolt was instrumental in advocating for independent contractors, sole proprietors, and the self employed to be added to the Federal Government's stimulus bill, the CARES Act, ensuring eligibility for artist's for federal relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.[38][39]  The revisions to the bill allowed coverage for songwriters, producers, and music artists, as well as others in the music industry, whose business was disrupted due to the Government's stay-at-home mandates.

LaPolt is also an active member on the Executive Leadership Council of the Black Music Action Coalition.[40] In 2021, she was honored for her activism in the Black community as the recipient of The Black Music Action Coalition's Agent of Change Award alongside civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.

In September 2022, working alongside Congressman Hank Johnson and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, LaPolt helped to develop new Federal legislation, the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act to the US House of Representatives [better source needed].[41]  The RAP Act “[protects] artist from the use of their lyrics against them as legal evidence in criminal and civil cases,” and is the first of its kind at the federal level.  The act is a layer of protection for the hip-hop genre in particular, a sector of music that LaPolt says the courts “fundamentally misunderstand” due to underlying racial prejudices.[42]   The California version of the bill, the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, was signed into California law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 1, 2022.[43]

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • 2011 Best in Biz Awards: Best Music Business Attorney National Association of Record Industry Professionals[44]
  • 2015 Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers Top Music Business Attorneys[45]
  • 2015 Billboard's Top Music Lawyers[46]
  • 2015 Association of Independent Music Publishers Individual Award for support of Songwriters and Publishers[47]
  • 2016 Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers Top Music Business Attorneys[48]
  • 2016 Billboard's Top Music Lawyers[49]
  • 2016 Variety's Dealmakers Impact Report[50]
  • 2016 Billboard's Women in Music[51]
  • 2017 Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers Top Music Business Attorneys[52]
  • 2017 Billboard's Top Music Lawyers[53]
  • 2017 Billboard's Women In Music[54]
  • 2017 Variety's Women's Impact Report[55]
  • 2018 Billboard's Power 100[56]
  • 2018 Variety's Legal Impact Report[57]
  • 2018 Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers Top Music Business Attorneys[58]
  • 2018 MIDEM's Top Lawyer Award
  • 2018 Billboard's Women in Music: Executives of the Year[59]
  • 2019 Billboard's Power 100[60]
  • 2019 Recording Academy: Entertainment Law Initiative Service Award[61]
  • 2019 Variety's Legal Impact Report[62]
  • 2019 Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers Top Music Business Attorneys[63]
  • 2019 Billboard's Women In Music[64]
  • 2020 Billboard's Power 100 [65]
  • 2020 Hollywood Reporter's Top Music Attorneys[66]
  • 2021 Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers Top Music Business Attorneys[67]
  • 2021 Variety's Legal Impact Report[68]
  • 2021 Billboard's Top Music Lawyers[69]
  • 2021 Black Music Action Coalition's Agent of Change Award[70]
  • 2021 Variety's Women's Impact Report[71]
  • 2022 Billboard Power 100 Honoree [72]
  • 2022 Hits Daily Double Rainmaker[73]
  • 2022 Billboard's Women In Music Hall of Fame Honoree[74]
  • 2022 Billboard's Top Music Lawyers[75]
  • 2022 The Hollywood Reporter's Top Music Lawyers[76]
  • 2022 Variety's Legal Impact Report[77]
  • 2022 Friendly House Visionary Award Honoree[78]
  • 2023 Variety Legal Impact Report[79]
  • 2023 Billboard Top Music Lawyers[80]
  • 2023 Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award Honoree[81]
  • 2024 Billboard Power 100 Honoree[82]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Deadmau5 settles trademark dispute with Disney over mouse head logo". BBC. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  2. ^ Laura Dunn (28 January 2015). "Women in Business Q&A: Dina LaPolt, Esq., Attorney, LaPolt Law, P.C." The Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Dina Marie LaPolt - #188062". The State Bar of California. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Dina LaPolt". Jigsaw Magazine. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Donald Trump says he and Steven Tyler 'worked out' issue over 'Dream On'". FOX News. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  6. ^ Allison Kugel (25 February 2005). "Dina LaPolt and Afeni Shakur Keep Tupac Shakur's Indelible Legacy Alive". PR.com. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  7. ^ Laura Dunn (29 January 2015). "Women in Business Q&A: Dina LaPolt, Esq., Attorney, LaPolt Law, P.C." The Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  8. ^ Rap News Network (27 February 2005). "Dina LaPolt on Tupac : Resurrection". Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  9. ^ Ed Brackett (4 September 2014). "Disney takes on DJ deadmau5 over mouse-ears garb". USA Today. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  10. ^ Eriq Gardner (22 June 2015). "Deadmau5, Disney Settle Dispute Over "Mouse Head" Logo". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  11. ^ TEDx Talks (2016-12-21), Standing Up For Songwriters: A Journey Through Recovery | Dina LaPolt | TEDxOlympicBlvdWomen, retrieved 2017-08-09
  12. ^ "How Fifth Harmony Moved On and Took Control of Their Music: 'The Fans Are Our Fifth Member'". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  13. ^ "After a rocky year, Fifth Harmony is in control — and tighter than ever". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  14. ^ Anapol, Avery (2018-08-22). "Steven Tyler demands Trump stop playing Aerosmith at rallies". TheHill. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  15. ^ Nick Valencia and Eric Levenson (13 February 2019). "Rapper 21 Savage released from ICE detention but could still be deported". CNN. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  16. ^ "Billboard's 2020 Women In Music Hall of Fame Honorees Speak Out". Billboard. 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  17. ^ Andy Gensler (12 November 2015). "This Dry-Sounding Music Business Course at UCLA Is Secretly an Industry Must-Attend". Billboard. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
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  19. ^ "AXS TV gets ready to rock with Eddie Money and his family in upcoming new reality series 'Real Money'". AXS. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  20. ^ Barker, Andrew (2011-02-09). "Becoming Chaz". Variety. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
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  26. ^ "Music Licensing Study: Notice and Request for Public Comment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  27. ^ "Requestfor Comments on Department of Commerce's Green Paper on Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy" (PDF).
  28. ^ "Google Executive, Hollywood Producer Spar Over Piracy at Copyright Hearing". 11 November 2015.
  29. ^ "Allianc". 24 March 2017.
  30. ^ a b Sisario, Ben (2016-09-13). "Songwriters Sue Justice Department Over Licensing Rules". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
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  32. ^ Jordan, Chuck (2016-09-13). "Hey DOJ – see you in court!". TheHill. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  33. ^ Parisi, Paula (2018-01-22). "Grammy Chief Neil Portnow to Testify Before House Judiciary Committee About Music Legislation". Variety. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  34. ^ Doug Collins (2018-04-25), 04 25 18 Collins Commends Music Modernization Act on House Floor, retrieved 2018-09-27
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  36. ^ "Inside the Music Modernization Act's Last-Minute Negotiations With SiriusXM". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  37. ^ "President Trump Signs Music Modernization Act Into Law With Kid Rock, Sam Moore As Witnesses". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-10-14.
  38. ^ Aswad, Jem (2020-03-26). "Songwriters, Self-Employed Music Workers Eligible for Relief in Federal Stimulus Bill". Variety. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
  39. ^ "Coronavirus Relief Package: How It Helps Out-of-Work Music Professionals". Billboard. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
  40. ^ Hissong, Samantha (2020-06-22). "Meet the Music Industry's New Black Music Action Coalition". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  41. ^ "Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act Introduced in US House". 28 July 2022.
  42. ^ "Rap Lyrics Now Admissible as Court Evidence: A Dangerous Precedent (Guest Column)". 5 January 2021.
  43. ^ "California Restricts Use of Rap Lyrics in Criminal Trials After Gov. Newsom Signs Bill". 30 September 2022.
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  76. ^ Wilker, Deborah (2022-04-01). "From Negotiating Justin Timberlake's 'Trolls' Return to John Legend's Catalog Sale: Meet the Top Music Lawyers of 2022". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  77. ^ Trakin, Peter Caranicas, Nick Clement, Paula Hendrickson, Karen Idelson, Todd Longwell, Robert Marich, Geoff Mayfield, Ethan Shanfeld, Roy; Caranicas, Peter; Clement, Nick; Hendrickson, Paula; Idelson, Karen; Longwell, Todd; Marich, Robert; Mayfield, Geoff; Shanfeld, Ethan (2022-04-20). "Variety's Legal Impact Report 2022: Top Attorneys Winning Cases and Making Deals in Hollywood". Variety. Retrieved 2022-04-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  81. ^ Newman, Melinda (2023-05-02). "Attorney Dina LaPolt to be Honored at Caron New York Gala". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  82. ^ "Billboard Power 100 List". Billboard.
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