Sid Fohrman is a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and chair of the firm’s Music and Digital Media Practice. Sid has a diverse client base that includes public and private companies, talent and public figures, and entrepreneurs across the entertainment industry, including music, esports and games, podcasting, fitness, sports, live events and location-based entertainment, with a strong focus on the intersection of technology and entertainment.
A nationally recognized music lawyer, Sid has represented global media companies and leading content creators on complex corporate and entertainment transactions, including recording and music publishing agreements, podcast agreements, content licensing, composer and producer agreements for film and television, and live event promoters in connection with music festivals and live concert events. Sid also advises on new media business models and joint ventures, and handles content and licensing deals related to technology and new media exploitation; endorsement and sponsorship deals; publishing, licensing and other copyright and trademark transactions; and production, labor, trade and venue matters for live events.
Sid regularly publishes and speaks on emerging issues in the music and entertainment industries, including esports, live events and blockchain technology.
Sid’s transactional practice is underpinned by extensive experience as a commercial litigator. In that capacity, he represented public and private companies in an array of complex and high-stakes disputes.
Experience
Prior to joining Willkie in 2022, Sid was a partner at Sheppard Mullin.
- Billboard, Top Music Lawyers, 2019-2023
- Variety
- Legal Impact Report, 2019, 2022-2023
- Dealmakers Impact Report, 2022
- Legal 500 U.S., Media & Entertainment and Technology Transactions Recommended, 2019-2021
- Best Lawyers in America, Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television, 2021-2022
- Association of Corporate Counsel, Rising Star
- Member, The Recording Academy, GRAMMY Foundation
- Panelist, “Pixels and Playlists: The Artistic Evolution of Gaming,” Trusted X LA Technology Summit, June 8, 2023
Sid advised on the following significant matters*:
- Represented Dennis DeYoung, founding member of the rock band Styx, on the sale of his music publishing catalog rights and master recording rights to Primary Wave;
- Represented Jeremy Renner in connection with his acquisition of an ownership interest in Sweet Grass Vodka;
- Represented the estate of Joe Cocker in the sale of the singer’s music catalog to Iconic Artists Group;
- Acquisition of the music publishing company and personal catalog of multi-Grammy and Country Award-winning singer-songwriter and structuring of a go-forward joint venture for songwriter co-pub deals and administration;
- Acquisition of numerous record companies, music publishing and sound recording catalogs and income streams, and joint venture label agreements, including, cross-border relationships;
- Outside music counsel to virtual reality concert platform, handling all aspects of development, production, licensing, and distribution, talent services and label agreements for immersive VR concerts with recordings artists of all genres;
- Advised Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and award-winning songwriter and recording artist on complex corporate, tax, and estate planning structures in connection with $500m+ sale of music catalog;
- Represented Recording Artist and Songwriter in connection with $400m+ transaction related to the sale of a publishing catalog and go-forward record deal, including corporate and tax matter;
- Advisory Board Member and outside general counsel to early stage company gamifying music collaboration, live performances, music practicing and distribution through virtual world that replicates the entire music industry ecosystem;
- Outside music counsel to connected fitness company advising on overall music strategy, novel licensing structure, and the negotiation of global music licenses with labels and publishers comprising the vast majority of the US music catalogs;
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Represented SPIN in its partnership with 101 Studios to develop and produce film, television and podcast projects based on SPIN’s IP and music magazine library;
- Advised Shamrock Capital Advisors on the entertainment and content aspects of its investments in Boardwalk Pictures and Religion of Sports;
- Represented various companies and funds in connection with numerous purchases and sales of major music catalogs, including the recent acquisitions of the catalogs of Brad Paisley, Chris Dubois and international pop star Iggy Azalea;
- Represented TikTok in connection with a multi-year content and promotional partnership with Red Bull Media pursuant to which the parties will collaborate on various content and event initiatives for exclusive distribution on TikTok;
- Represented Intel and Greenlight Media in connection with partnership with Lady Gaga’s Grammy Performance tribute to the late David Bowie and behind-the-scenes film project;
- Negotiation and legal work in connection with The New Basement Tapes project; formation of rock band comprised of Marcus Mumford, Jim James, Elvis Costello, Taylor Goldsmith and Rhiannon Giddens, the recording and publishing deals involving Bob Dylan’s lyrics, and Feature Documentary, which initially aired on Showtime;
- Outside music counsel to Mastercard. Advise on numerous music and sponsorship matters, including the development and rollout of Mastercard’s new sonic branding, and partnerships with top artists worldwide;
- Representation of various live event promoters/producers in connection with various festivals, experiential events, and live concerts, including, more than 20 annual live events and festivals, and artist joint ventures, such as Real Street (Honda Center), Ohana Festival (Eddie Vedder), KROQ Weenie Roast, Back to the Beach (Blink 182), Country Jam and Campout (Jason Aldean), Adult Swim Festival (Music, Comedy), LiveCity Vancouver, Super Bowl Saturday Night;
- Legal work in connection with numerous global live events, including, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games (London), the 2014 Olympic Games (Sochi), the 2015 European Games (Baku), Copa America Ceremonies, and the Rose Parade;
- Representation of various music creators, including multi-Grammy/Oscar-winning producers in connection with producer services on numerous albums for major recording artists; composer and executive music producer services for numerous film and television projects;
- Negotiation of deal between esports athlete and influencer, Matt Haag (Nadeshot), in connection with formation of 100 Thieves esports company in partnership with Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers;
- Representation of various independent music companies in connection with all aspects of music industry business, including, artist recording and 360 deals, co-publishing and distribution deals;
- Negotiated services and global licensing deals between soul and pop artist Desi Valentine, and Fitbit, MillerCoors, and Jack Daniels;
- Represented a renowned songwriter and music publishing company in multimillion-dollar sale of music catalog;
- Represented fitness expert and life coach, Jillian Michaels, in connection with several global endorsement and sponsorship deals, including, Crave Jerky and Giggles N’ Hugs;
- Representation of brand in a multi-year deal to become the name sponsor of Indianapolis 500, including brand placement, signage and broadcast rights, and related sponsorship benefits.
*Sid advised on some of these matters prior to joining Willkie in 2022.
Credentials
Education
Pepperdine University, J.D. (cum laude), 2000 University of Arizona, B.A., 1995