Member Article

Blacks hits the right notes

Leeds-based Blacks Solicitors’ Music, Media and Entertainment department has announced remarkable growth in its first year, going from a standing start to becoming the go-to music and entertainment law firm in the region.

The department has exceeded financial expectations and the launch of the additional niche service contributed to a 5% increase in profit and 6% growth in turnover for the firm.

It now also acts for musicians, bands, publishers, record labels and managers from all over the country, including Ellen & the Escapades, Club Smith, Lone Wolf and a number of other big names.

The niche and complex MME matters it has been involved in include a major music publishing rights buy-out for international hit singles and the drafting of music licensing agreements based on unique public performance royalty fee structures. In addition, Blacks is now on the panel of recommended solicitors for the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and Friends of the Association of Independent Music.

The launch of such a specialist service was considered a bold move but Blacks’ managing partner, Chris Allen, was confident that the new offer would set the firm apart from the competition. The project was spearheaded by partner, Asad Ali, and solicitor, Pete Bott, both of whom are passionate about the music and entertainment industries and who were aware of the ongoing and ever developing scope for legal professionals within it.

The firm claims that its competitive fees and exceptional levels of service and expertise have made the MME department a welcome alternative to the multitude of expensive London law firms, which dominate the industry. Bands, musicians and labels have been made aware of the benefits of recruiting northern legal advisers and with easy e-delivery, teleconferencing and smart phones, clients are no longer restricted to solicitors in their locality.

However, Blacks has also immersed itself in the regional music scene, for which it has been a landmark year. Having previously been musicians themselves - Asad, a DJ, and Pete, front man of well-known electro band, Heads We Dance - the pair is passionate about Yorkshire music and has spent the last year profiling the launch of the department and networking within the industry on both a regional and national level.

With this in mind, the firm has been heavily involved in a number of Leeds events and competitions - sponsoring Live at Leeds and most recently, the annual Centre Stage music competition. Pete Bott also mentors unsigned acts on the challenges and opportunities of the industry as part of a string of voluntary guest lectures and Q&As he takes part in with universities, colleges, the Leeds Music Hub and the BBC.

Pete Bott said: “The Yorkshire music and entertainment scene, with Leeds in particular as the regional hub, is a very significant contributor to our economy. However, with the technological advancements in recent years and the ongoing threat of piracy, those working in the sector must be savvier than ever before on their rights.

“Artists are businesses and they require the legal support, guidance and professional services that any other business does to avoid being caught out.”

Chris Allen added: “Blacks’ Music, Media and Entertainment department is going from strength-to-strength. Pete and Asad have worked tirelessly over the last year to profile this new area of expertise for us and we are now acting for high profile clients across the country.

“We continually strive to excel in new areas and industries. I’m extremely pleased that Pete and Asad have superseded their financial targets and are continuing to grow their client base. Here’s to another great year.”

The MME department now plans to broaden its brief, into film and theatre, with the aim of becoming the preferred legal provider for the entire arts and creative community in Yorkshire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Gatehouse .