Sidney S. Fohrman

Partner T: +1.310.228.6159 1901 Avenue of the Stars F: +1.310.228.3931 Suite 1600 [email protected] Los Angeles, CA 90067

Sid Fohrman is a partner in the firm’s acclaimed Entertainment, Technology and Advertising Practice Group and both Leader of the firm’s Music Industry Team and Esports Industry Team.

Areas of Practice

Sid represents a diverse client base comprised of public and private companies, on and off-screen talent, artists, influencers, and entrepreneurs across the full spectrum of the entertainment industry, including, music, esports, fitness, sports, technology, event, film and television industries. He often acts as outside general counsel to music and entertainment companies, and regularly handles multi-faceted corporate and entertainment transactions. Sid advises on new media business models and joint ventures, and handles content and licensing deals related to technology and new media exploitation; endorsement and sponsorship deals; publishing, licensing and other copyright and trademark transactions; and production, labor, trade and venue matters in connection with live events.

A nationally-recognized top music lawyer, Sid’s practice is anchored by his significant experience representing both talent and institutional clients in all aspects of the music industry. He has represented some of the world’s largest media companies and most prominent artists and producers on recording and music publishing agreements, content licensing, composer and producer agreements for film and television, and has represented live event promoters in connection with all aspects of music festivals and live concert events.

Sid brings to his transaction practice extensive prior experience as a commercial litigator in which capacity he represented public and private companies in complex contractual disputes, business torts, copyright and trademark infringement, antitrust, and finance. He has appeared before state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels, and has considerable experience with alternative dispute resolution.

Honors

Recognized for Entertainment Law – Music and Motion Pictures & Television, Best Lawyers, 2021-2022 Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers, 2019-2021 Recommended Lawyer – Media & Entertainment and Technology Transactions, Legal 500 US, 2019-2021 Legal Impact Report, Variety, 2019, 2021 Best Lawyers for Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television Rising Star, Association of Corporate Counsel

www.sheppardmullin.com Experience

Representative Experience

■ Represented entertainment fund in connection with the acquisition of international popstar, Iggy Azaela’s, ownership and interests in and to her entire music publishing and sound recording catalogs.

■ Representation of Intel and Greenlight Media in connection with partnership with Lady Gaga’s Grammy Performance tribute to the late David Bowie and behind-the-scenes film project.

■ Negotiation and legal work in connection with The New Basement Tapes project; formation of rock band comprised of , , , and , the recording and publishing deals involving ’s lyrics, and Feature Documentary, which initially aired on Showtime.

■ Outside music and media counsel to Peloton Interactive, Inc. Advise on all aspects of Music and Media platform, including partnerships with every major record (Warner, Sony and Universal) and major music publishers (Warner-Chappell, SonyATV, and UMPG), and several artist collaborations, including, Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Meghan Trainor, and Elvis Presley Estate.

■ Outside music counsel to Mastercard. Advise on numerous music and sponsorship matters, including the development and rollout of Mastercard’s new sonic branding, and partnerships with top artists worldwide;

■ Outside General Counsel to Abrams Artists Agency. Representation of investment and management group in acquisition of Abrams Artists Agency; currently act as outside general counsel, handling all legal matters;

■ Representation of various live event promoters/producers in connection with various festivals, experiential events, and live concerts, including, more than 20 annual live events and festivals, and artist joint ventures, such as Real Street (Honda Center), Ohana Festival (Eddie Vedder), KROQ Weenie Roast, Back to the Beach (Blink 182), Country Jam and Campout (Jason Aldean), Adult Swim Festival (Music, Comedy), LiveCity Vancouver, Super Bowl Saturday Night.

■ Legal work in connection with numerous global live events, including, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games (London), the 2014 Olympic Games (Sochi), the 2015 European Games (Baku), Copa America Ceremonies, and the Rose Parade;

■ Representation of various music creators, including multi-Grammy/Oscar-winning producers in connection with producer services on numerous albums for major recording artists; composer and executive music producer services for numerous film and television projects.

■ Negotiation of deal between esports athlete and influencer, Matt Haag (Nadeshot), in connection with formation of 100 Thieves esports company in partnership with Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

■ Representation of various independent music companies in connection with all aspects of music industry business, including, artist recording and 360 deals, co-publishing and distribution deals;

■ Negotiated services and global licensing deals between soul and pop artist Desi Valentine, and Fitbit, MillerCoors, and Jack Daniels.

■ Representation of renowned songwriter and music publishing company in multi-million dollar sale of music catalog.

■ Represented fitness expert and life coach, Jillian Michaels, in connection with several global endorsement and sponsorship deals, including, Crave Jerky and Giggles N’ Hugs.

■ Representation of brand in a multi-year deal to become the name sponsor of Indianapolis 500, including brand placement, signage and broadcast rights, and related sponsorship benefits.

Sidney S. Fohrman www.sheppardmullin.com Articles

■ Event Safety Alliance Releases Reopening Guidelines for Live Events Sheppard Mullin, 06.25.2020 ■ The Music Industry Receives Relief From AB5 The Recorder, 05.04.2020

Law of the Ledger: Blockchain Law Blog Posts

■ "Blockchain Technology Continues to Support a Flourishing Music Industry," October 25, 2019

■ "Blockchain. Bringing A Chorus of Cheers to the Music Industry," October 1, 2018

Media Mentions

Sheppard Mullin Launches Esports Practice Group

Law360 , 02.20.2019

‘World Of Dance’ Producers Alex Katz & Mandy Novak Launch No Other Way Productions

Deadline, 10.30.2018

Sheppard Mullin Expands Entertainment Partner Line-up

Business Wire, 10.23.2018

Abrams Artists Agency Acquired By Group Including Longtime Execs, Adam Bold

Deadline , 09.25.2018

Sheppard Mullin Picks Up Ex-Barnes & Thornburg Partner

03.05.2018

Events

ESI Digital Summer 2021 Esports media rights in 2021 - show me the money?

Virtual , 09.09.2021

Esports and Games Investor Roundtable

Webinar, 07.30.2020

Future of Television Conference Digital Media Wire

09.24.2019

XLIVE Esports Summit

June 25-27, 2019

Sidney S. Fohrman www.sheppardmullin.com Digital Entertainment World Expo (DEW) The Power of Creativity and Influence

February 4-5, 2019

The Making of the Grammy Moment: How Intel Helped Lady Gaga Become David Bowie ANA/BAA Marketing Law Conference

11.09.2018

Memberships

Member, The Recording Academy, GRAMMY Foundation

Podcasts & Webinars

VIDEO: Law, music, and esports with Riot Games Music’s Toa Dunn | ESI Focus

07.13.2021

Nota Bene Episode 124: Charting the New World of Music Royalty Investment with Sid Fohrman

05.05.2021

Nota Bene Episode 111: Charting the New World of Music Royalty Investment with Sid Fohrman

02.03.2021

Esports and Games Investor Roundtable

07.30.2020

Nota Bene Episode 52: Technology and the Changing Music Industry Landscape with Sid Fohrman

10.02.2019

Practices

Advertising Corporate Entertainment and Digital Media Intellectual Property Technology Transactions

Industries

Advertising Emerging Company & Venture Capital Entertainment and Digital Media Esports & Games Music Sports

Sidney S. Fohrman www.sheppardmullin.com Education

J.D., Pepperdine University, 2000, cum laude B.A., University of Arizona, 1995

Admissions

California Illinois (Inactive)

Sidney S. Fohrman www.sheppardmullin.com