Don’t drop the soap when it comes to your music career – get the best legal advice in town, for free! Have you ever wondered how to negotiate management, label or booking contracts? Or deal with your own publishing and sync arrangements? How would you resolve a legal dispute within your own band? Find out answers to these frequently asked questions and more, in an evening of discussion and advice from Australia’s most successful music industry lawyers, representatives and advocates.
DATE: Tuesday, 22nd July
TIME: 6.00-8.00pm
VENUE: Sydney TAFE, The Apprentice, at 695-731 Harris St, the corner of Ultimo Rd, follow signage to level 7
PRICE: All ages and FREE! Simply RSVP to jake@musicnsw.com by 12pm Monday 21st July.
Hosted by: Jake Stone (MusicNSW Education Officer)
Chaired by: Jules Munro (Simpsons Solicitors)
Panelists for “Better Get Yourself A Lawyer” are:
o Anika Valenti (The Arts Law Centre)
Anika Valenti is a Solicitor at the Arts Law Centre of Australia, the national community legal centre for artists and arts organisations. Anika is a former film and television producer, production manager and coordinator having worked on various film and television drama productions since 1999 including ‘The Circuit’, ‘The Black Balloon’ and ‘The Sleepover Club’. In 2008 Anika decided to study law, and after graduating in 2010, returned to film and television working as an in-house legal consultant at Screen NSW and the First Australian Completion Bond Company. Anika joined Arts Law in September 2012.
o Julia Kosky (Brett Oaten Solicitors)
Julia is a lawyer with Brett Oaten Solicitors, one of Australia’s leading entertainment law firms. Julia previously ran her own management company for eight years and looked after singer/songwriter, Andy Bull and producer, Tony Buchen as well as acting as secretary of the board of FBi Radio for 10 years and running her own independent record label. Before that, Julia worked at the Sydney law firm Gilbert + Tobin.
o Tim Levinson (Urthboy, Hermitude, Elefant Traks)
Urthboy is also one of the main songwriters in The Herd, whose four albums have seen them build a huge fanbase in Australia. They’ve won two AIR Awards and a J Award, released a top ten ARIA chart album, sold out national tours and played every major festival in the country. Urthboy is label manager of Elefant Traks, a music business with a stable of ten artists; 60 releases and numerous national and international tours. His roles include A & R, artist management, tour co-ordinator and getting the job done.
o Jonathan Carter (APRA/AMCOS)
Jonathan Carter is General Counsel and Company Secretary of the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA|AMCOS), managing the legal and corporate affairs of both organisations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. After being admitted to practice in 2001, Jonathan was appointed associate to the Honourable Justice Heerey of the Federal Court of Australia, at that time Chair of the Court’s intellectual property law panel. Jonathan worked in the intellectual property group of national law firm Allens Arthur Robinson, before taking in-house legal and management roles at Sony Music Entertainment Australia and then EMI Music Australia. Jonathan is President of the Copyright Society of Australia and sits as Australia’s elected representative on the Legal Committee of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers. Jonathan has degrees in arts and law with double first class honours from the University of Sydney.
o Ben Fletcher (Moneypenny Business & Taxation Services)
Ben is a Director and equity partner at Moneypenny Business & Taxation Services where he has been providing accounting, taxation and business advice to creative individuals and their businesses since January 2008. Working with clients from every level and every area of the music industry, Ben has developed an intimate knowledge of the business behind the music. He has a Bachelor of Commerce, is a member of the ICAA, is a Justice of the Peace and is currently working towards a Masters in Taxation Law.
o Katie Wighton & Martin Cubby (Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance)
Julia is a lawyer with Brett Oaten Solicitors, one of Australia’s leading entertainment law firms. Julia previously ran her own management company for eight years and looked after singer/songwriter, Andy Bull and producer, Tony Buchen as well as acting as secretary of the board of FBi Radio for 10 years and running her own independent record label. Before that, Julia worked at the Sydney law firm Gilbert + Tobin.
Martin has been an organiser at the MEAA since 2004, working across the three main sections of the union – Actors, Journalists and Production Crew in theatre, Film & TV. In 2007 he started organising a new section of the MEAA specifically covering freelance musicians. In 2013 AFMA was established and though he now works in the Actors Equity section of MEAA, Martin has maintained a keen personal and professional interest in the MEAA members effort to build a new and effective union for musicians in Australia.
Aspiring & established artists, managers, label impresarios and members of the general public are all welcome.
Drinks and snacks will be provided, and entry is totally FREE!
For more information email: scarlett@musicnsw.com
Ph: (02) 9953 5279
