Sidley partners Rollin A. Ransom and Matthew (Matt) C. Thompson have been named to Billboard’s 2024 “Top Music Lawyers” list. The annual list profiles stellar lawyers in the music industry. Billboard cited, as an example, the firm’s representation of Universal Music Group in a putative class action filed by various artists over copyright law’s termination rights that has potentially significant repercussions for the music industry.
Rollin and Matt’s recognition follows their successful representation of many of the major record labels, including UMG, WMG and Sony Music. In a notable recent engagement, Sidley represented Warner Music Group and its affiliates in various media and entertainment transactions including the formation of a joint venture with Elliot Grainge’s label 10K Projects, as well as the acquisition of 300 Entertainment and its roster of artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, and Gunna. The team also successfully resolved a putative class action involving Section 203 copyright termination on behalf of UMG, following a ruling denying class certification and certain summary judgment rulings in UMG’s favor.
Rollin serves as co-leader of Sidley’s global Commercial Litigation and Disputes practice, and of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group. Representing both individuals and corporations, Rollin has extensive experience prosecuting and defending lawsuits involving a wide variety of intellectual property claims, including copyright and theft of idea, trademark, false advertising, trade secret and unfair competition actions.
Matt is co-leader of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide. He represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies and other similar parties in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.
Rollin and Matt’s recognition follows their successful representation of many of the major record labels, including UMG, WMG and Sony Music. In a notable recent engagement, Sidley represented Warner Music Group and its affiliates in various media and entertainment transactions including the formation of a joint venture with Elliot Grainge’s label 10K Projects, as well as the acquisition of 300 Entertainment and its roster of artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, and Gunna. The team also successfully resolved a putative class action involving Section 203 copyright termination on behalf of UMG, following a ruling denying class certification and certain summary judgment rulings in UMG’s favor.
Rollin serves as co-leader of Sidley’s global Commercial Litigation and Disputes practice, and of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group. Representing both individuals and corporations, Rollin has extensive experience prosecuting and defending lawsuits involving a wide variety of intellectual property claims, including copyright and theft of idea, trademark, false advertising, trade secret and unfair competition actions.
Matt is co-leader of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide. He represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies and other similar parties in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.
