Shay M Lawson Esq

IP and entertainment attorney, legislative advocate, public speaker, and podcast host

Owner of boutique legal firm servicing select entertainment professionals, social media influencers, and entrepreneurs

01/06/2023

Today I join hundreds of my industry colleagues in a demonstration of unified industry support for the United States Copyright Offices’ (USCO) proposed ruling regarding the payment of mechanical royalties on streaming platforms.

The passing of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) created a pathway for songwriters to receive rightfully deserved compensation for their work. Despite this pathway, songwriters have faced an incredible uphill battle since the MMA's implementation against music publishers who seek to continue to collect royalties even after the statutory termination of their copyright interest.

As an intellectual property attorney working daily to protect the copyrights of my clients, I believe it is imperative to raise my voice in support of the USCO's ruling as there is no ambiguity to the language of the MMA and no plausible interpretation of the MMA that held the intent to keep royalties from the rightful hands of songwriters and music creators post termination.

Therefore I fully support the letter below initiated by the Music Artists Coalition (MAC) and further supported by Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), and Songwriters of North America (SONA) and join as a proud signatory lauding the proposed rulemaking by The U.S. Copyright Office issued on October 25, 2022.

Click the link in my IG Stories to see the Full Text of the Letter and Full List of 350+ Artists, Songwriters, Managers, and Lawyer Signatories.

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10/12/2022

Wine Down Wednesday was immaculate! If you missed this you missed a whole vibe!
x brought Atlanta creators together with a mission to register voters and check voter status ahead of the Georgia general election while providing good vibes, good drinks, and good networking.
Thanks to the GRAMMYU volunteers we were able to register and/or check voter status for over 30 music creators!
Grateful for the support of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy for providing lite bites and our drink sponsors and
Lock in now. You dont want to miss the next event!

10/07/2022

I’m proud to join and thousands of members across the country to fight for creators’ rights and tell Congress to support laws that build up and sustain the music community.

09/30/2022

The RAP ACT (H.R. 8531) - We're asking DA's and Prosecutors to focus on criminals instead of criminalizing creators.
When 1 out of every 20 criminal conviction is a WRONGFUL conviction we cannot afford for prosecutors to utilize rap lyrics and social media posts to incarcerate our young black men when no other evidence exists of connection to a crime.
Introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson (GA) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY), the RAP Act will protect the First Amendment rights of artists and creators from the wrongful use of their lyrics against them in court, a practice that often preys on the biases of juries and has a chilling effect on all creative expression.
The RAP Act amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to establish a presumption that a defendant’s creative or artistic expression is not admissible as evidence in a criminal case.

08/26/2022

As Advocacy Chair of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy it has been my mission the past four years to let elected officials know that music isn’t just celebrity but we are constituents with real issues, real votes, and real power.
Decisions are being made about healthcare, taxes, arts in schools, and about the music culture without us even being present for the conversation.
RAP and rappers are currently on trial across the country with prosecutors using rap lyrics and rap culture as evidence of criminal activity which is why the Recording Academy is proud to support Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson who has stepped to the plate with the RAP Act to create national legislation preventing the use of creative works as evidence at trials.
I also want to extend thanks to Mayor Dickens again for agreeing to greet our members this past weekend but also for being the driving force behind the Bond Referendum that will now infuse $15 million dollars into the arts
Thank you to our President for supporting the vision Tami and I put forth and to the entire Atlanta Board and executive staff (Erin+Michele) for your enthusiasm for what we do to make Georgia the best place in the country for music creators 🙏🏾♥️
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06/30/2022

The Music Meeting presented by is happening TODAY, June 30th at 7pm/EST. Join me and other industry professionals as we talk about the business behind the music!
Watch it live at BlackAmericaWeb.com

05/24/2022

Don't Forget to Vote TODAY! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the ballot for bonds that could bring millions to the art and music community here in Atlanta!

04/28/2022

At the 20th GRAMMYs on the Hill, the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs and its members are fighting for all music makers and advancing creators’ rights on Capitol Hill.

Join us in telling Congress to stand up for artists, songwriters, and studio professionals by:
Passing the HITS Act
Advancing the American Music Fairness Act
Ensuring fair compensation for all songwriters

Now, more than ever, we need Congress’s support.

Take action to urge your lawmakers in Washington to build a better world for music and its makers.

04/07/2022

2022 Billboard Top Music Lawyers list.

Grateful to our clients and colleagues that support and trust us year after year.

01/27/2022

"The only thing worse than not making money in business is making a costly mistake."- Lydia Blanco
Without the proper protections, policies, and privacy safeguards your brand and business could be on the road to a costly mistake. Don't let this opportunity to learn the tools for setting your foundation straight.
Friday Im talking Privacy, Policy, and Protection for brands and businesses with fellow esquires and . If you're missing me in those clubhouse streets go ahead and click the reminder below so you can get up on audio!

01/12/2022

Making MONEY MOVES is making sure you know the small print and you have your legal ducks in a row as you build your brand and business. This week I joined not once but twice on the Money Moves Podcast for an expert deep dive presented by x to talk about:
💵 Protecting your brand
💵 Protecting your business
💵 3 agreements that you need BEFORE sharing your ideas
It's a can't miss episode and I've shared my favorite part of the podcast in my IG story so go catch a sneak peek before listening into the full episodes.
s/o and special thanks to x
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01/02/2022

Originally posted by

" in 1898, Sadie T. M. Alexander was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though she faced racism and other adversity, Alexander was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in economics and the first to receive a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1927 at the age of 29, Alexander became the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the first African American woman to pass the Pennsylvania bar.

During her career, which spanned over 50 years, Sadie Alexander became a noted lawyer and civil rights advocate. Alexander used her skills to work on cases in the Philadelphia Orphans' Court and advocated for racial equality. She served two non-consecutive terms as Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia where she formed the Legal Aide Bureau to help those who could not afford a lawyer.

Sadie also served as the first national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, as secretary of the National Urban League, and was appointed by President Harry Truman to serve on the Committee on Human Rights in 1947.
⠀
📸 Courtesy Wikimedia Commons"

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http://www.shaymlawson.com/

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