LaPolt Law, P.C.

Bachelor of Arts in Music
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, New York

Juris Doctorate
John F. Kennedy University School of Law
Walnut Creek, California

When Dina LaPolt became an attorney, she immediately focused on her area of greatest interest, specializing in representing music artists and developing artists. Her passion for music began over 20 years ago having studied music in high school and college and teaching guitar playing. She has worked in the music industry as an artist, personal manager, booking agent, and concert promoter, all of which has allowed her to bring a unique insight to the practice of law. Dina is an expert in solving complex issues, whether relating to contracts, copyrights or royalty analyses; and, with her background in both law and the music business, she combines a fresh perspective to problem solving with extraordinary organizational skills. In addition to her expertise in the music industry, Dina also handles matters relating to film, television, and book publishing. Specifically, she was part of the business affairs team for a major television syndication, she developed and negotiated production deals for feature films and made for television movies, and she has drafted and negotiated several writer and book deals.

In addition to practicing law, Dina also teaches Legal and Practical Aspects of the Recording and Publishing Industries at UCLA Extension, Music Contracts at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA and she still has time to perform in her all girl rock band called, “Trophy Girl.”

Member: California State Bar Association; Los Angeles County Bar Association; Beverly Hills Bar Association; California Copyright Conference; National Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences, Latin Academy of Arts & Sciences; California Lawyers for the Arts; Association of Independent Music Publishers; National Association of Recording Industry Professionals; National Association of Recording Merchandisers: PowerUP; and Women In Film.

Current Legal Publications:

Author and contributor of Matthew Bender Entertainment Industry Contracts; Negotiating and Drafting Guides, Volumes 8 and 9 (the “Music Law Volumes”) containing the following articles and chapters:

· Recording Agreements with Independent Labels Volume 8, Chapter 159 Recording Agreements, Article 159.06;

· Music Sampling Chapter 161, Volume 8; and

· A Legal Analysis of the Internet’s Effect of Provisions of Recording Agreements

Music on the Internet, Chapter 160; Article 160.8

Current Music Business Articles:

The following articles (and excerpts taken therefrom) have been published in the Entertainment, Publishing, and the Arts Handbook, the A&R Registry, MCLE materials for South by Southwest, Cutting Edge Music Business Seminar, Beverly Hills Bar Association, California Lawyers for the Arts, Billboard, AFTRA informational packets, and many online music magazines and fanzines including Cosmik Debris Magazine, Glide.com, and Mi2N.

· “The 7-year Rule and What Does that Really Mean?”

· “Getting Notice by the Music Industry and what to Look Out For Once You Are”

· “Musician Sign Thyself!”

· “Public Performance Money and the New Webcasting Royalty…How Do I Get Paid?”

· “The New Music Industry: Where is It Going and What is It Going to Look Like?”

Lecturer/Teaching
· Legal and Practical Aspects of the Recording and the Publishing Industries
UCLA Extension, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA

· Music Contracts
The Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA

Panelist and/or Moderator

Dina has been asked to speak at various music industry events and conferences all over the country. Below is partial listing:

South by Southwest Music Conference, Austin, Texas

NEMO Music Conference, Boston, MA

Eat Em’ Music Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada

Kaplan Law Seminar, Los Angeles, CA

TAXI Music Business Seminar, Los Angeles, CA

mp3.com ACE Music Conference, San Diego, CA

Perfect Pitch Music Executive Seminar, Los Angeles, CA

Cutting Edge Music Conference, New Orleans, LA

Latin Alternative Music Conference, New York, NY

CMJ Music Conference, New York, N.Y.

DIY Music Business Convention, New York, N.Y.

Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment Law Panel, Beverly Hills, CA

California Lawyer for the Arts Music Business Seminar, Los Angeles, CA

The Indie Sessions Music Business Conference, Los Angeles, CA

Future of Music Conference, Washington, D.C.

Ladyfest, Los Angeles, CA

Atlantis Music Conference, Atlanta, GA

2NewMusic Conference, Nashville, TN

Print Interviews

· “Dina LaPolt: Welcome to the New Music Industry”

Tonos.com, June 2002

Radio and Television Guest Commentator

· KPFK For the Record with Samm Brown, Los Angeles, CA

· WSM Country Radio, Rondotcom Nashville, TN

· WSMV-NBC TV, More at Midday with Holly Thompson and Bill Robertson

· KTBC-FOX TV, Morning News with Joe Bickett, Austin, TX

· KVUE-NBC, Midday News with Melissa Gale, Austin, TX

Other

Motion Picture

Co-Producer; Tupac: Resurrection

Amaru/MTV Films, Paramount Pictures