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Conference art

35th Annual

Entertainment Law Institute

​PRESENTED BY
The University of Texas School of Law
Texas Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
Austin Sep 11-12, 2025 AT&T Conference Center $595 Individual  |  $695 after Aug 27 $495 Small Firm (per person for firms of 5 attorneys or fewer)  |  $595 after Aug 27 $535 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum)  |  $625 after Aug 27 $475 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum)  |  $555 after Aug 27
Live Webcast Sep 11-12, 2025 $595 Individual  |  $695 after Aug 27 $495 Small Firm (per person for firms of 5 attorneys or fewer)  |  $595 after Aug 27 $535 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum)  |  $625 after Aug 27 $475 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum)  |  $555 after Aug 27 $100 Add-on rate for in-person registrants
Register
Related products: Materials
NETWORKING BREAK SPONSORS
Harper & Bates LLP
Jackson Walker LLP

INSTITUTE SPONSOR
Bell Nunnally

Overview

Don't miss the 35th Annual Entertainment Law Institute (ELI), co-sponsored by The University of Texas School of Law and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. ELI continues to bring together an outstanding faculty of nationally-regarded practitioners and industry insiders to keep entertainment lawyers up to date on the latest emerging trends, issues and breaking developments in music, film, games, and digital media. This year's topics are expected to include:

  • Recent Developments in Collegiate NIL Deals
  • Is That Fair (Use)? Third Party Trademarks in Film, Print, Video, and Social Media
  • The Trouble with Ticketing
  • Independent Film Finance Deals
  • Rap Battles
  • Legal Issues for Content Creators
  • Annual Case Law "Roundup" with Stan Soocher
And more! There are also valuable opportunities to interface with faculty and other attendees at the special Networking and Mentoring Luncheon on Thursday, as well as our Thursday Evening Networking Reception (in Austin only). This is truly a gathering you don't want to miss!

Join us a day early for Entertainment Law 101—a perfect overview for new entrants to the field, or a refresher for more seasoned practitioners. Learn the essentials for any entertainment and sports attorney—different paths to becoming an entertainment and sports lawyer; billing structures; practical tips for filing trademarks; and contract drafting tips and litigation pitfalls—and take advantage of opportunities to ask your questions to your colleagues and peers. 

  • Register now
Related Conference

Entertainment Law 101

Austin
Sep 10, 2025

Register

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Day 1 September 11, 2025
  • Day 2 September 12, 2025
  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Thursday Morning, Sep. 11, 2025
  • This agenda is still in development. Updates to topics and speakers will be posted as available.

  • 7:30 am
    Austin Only
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Recent Developments in Collegiate Athlete NIL Deals

    Moderator:
    Daniel Hare, Varsity Search and Baylor University - Waco, TX
    Panelist:
    Mit Winter, Kenny Hertz Perry, Attorneys at Law - Kansas City, MO

  • 9:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Is That Fair Use? Trademarks, Creativity, and the Law Post Grimaldi v. Rogers
    A case law review and practical application of balancing trademark rights and artistic expression in today’s media landscape.

    Tamera H. Bennett, Harper & Bates LLP - Dallas, TX
    Jordyn E. Hendrix, Harper & Bates LLP - Dallas, TX

  • 10:15 am
    15-Minute Break

    Thank You to our Sponsor
    Jackson Walker LLP

  • 10:30 am
    1.00 hr
    Annual Case Law “Roundup”
    An annual roundup of notable court rulings, including Texas judicial decisions, that impact the practice of entertainment law.

    Stan Soocher, Entertainment Law & Finance - Denver, CO

  • 11:30 am
    1.00 hr
    The Trouble with Ticketing

    Moderator:
    Chris Castle, Christian L. Castle, Attorneys - Austin, TX
    Panelist:
    Heather VanDyke, Javelina Legal - Austin, TX

  • 12:30 pm
    Austin Only
    NETWORKING LUNCH AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITY (In Austin Only)
    Network with colleagues and converse with conference faculty and other entertainment law experts in multiple practice areas and firm sizes. Lunch is included in registration. 

  • Thursday Afternoon, Sep. 11, 2025
  • 1:45 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    Incorporating AI into your Entertainment Law Practice: Ethical Considerations

    Grant Atkinson, ActionResponder - Los Angeles, CA
    Alex Shahrestani, Promise Legal - Austin, TX

  • 2:30 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Independent Finance Options for the Novice Filmmaker
    Discuss the various means available to the novice filmmaker for raising the budget for a film including private equity and associated Securities Law issues, pre-sales, incentives, loans how they can be combined to raise the total amount needed. Explore the need for early involvement of production counsel so as to legally attach actors to make the financing easier to obtain.

    Duncan C. Montgomery, High Frequency Entertainment, LLC - Austin, TX
    Michael Norman Saleman, Austin, TX

  • 3:15 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 3:30 pm
    0.75 hr
    A Recording Agreement Walkthrough: Key Provisions and Considerations

    Tom Dean, LaPolt Law, P.C. - West Hollywood, CA

  • 4:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Lyrics and Litigation: A Case Study on Drake's Legal Claims Against UMG Recordings, Inc.
    From the recording studio to the courtroom, discuss the legal claims arising from feuds between well-known recording artists. 

    Megan Dunn, Megan Dunn Law, PLLC - Dallas, TX

  • 5:00 pm
    Austin Only
    Adjourn to Networking Reception
    Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, Sep. 12, 2025
  • 8:00 am
    Austin Only
    Conference Room Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:45 am
    0.50 hr
    Incentives and Rebates: Saving Your Clients Money through the Texas Film Commission

    Moderator:
    Stephanie K. Hay, The Hay Law Group, PLLC - Houston, TX
    Panelist:
    Will Zech, Texas Film Commission - Austin, TX

  • 9:15 am
    0.75 hr
    The Rise of Immersive Sports and Entertainment Experiences: Unique Legal Issues

    Breanna Contreras, Meow Wolf - Santa Fe, NM

  • 10:00 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:15 am
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    How to Best Advocate for Your Entertainment Law Clients: A Conversation with Dina LaPolt

    Moderator:
    Gwendolyn Seale, Mike Tolleson and Associates - Austin, TX
    Panelist:
    Dina LaPolt, LaPolt Law, P.C. - West Hollywood, CA

  • 11:00 am
    0.75 hr
    Public Art: A Case Study

    Moderator:
    Alissa McCain, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts - Austin, TX
    Panelist:
    Andrea N. Perez, Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal L.L.P. - Dallas, TX

  • 11:45 am
    0.75 hr ethics
    Lawyers Behaving Badly: AI Edition

    Karen Delaney, Delaney Legal PLLC - Minneapolis, MN
    Jennifer Judge, Destination Pet, LLC - Plano, TX

  • 12:30 pm
    Austin Only
    Pick Up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Friday Afternoon, Sep. 12, 2025
  • TEXAS STAR AWARD AND LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:50 pm
    Texas Star Award Presentation
    Presented by: Stan Soocher, Entertainment Law & Finance, Denver, CO

  • 1:00 pm
    0.50 hr
    Pivoting from Lawyer to Producer: The Launch of LaPolt Media 

    Dina LaPolt, LaPolt Law, P.C. - West Hollywood, CA

  • 1:30 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 1:45 pm
    0.75 hr
    The Path to Publication
    An overview on the legal pathways to publication focusing on the contractual differences between traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing.

    Stevie M. Fitzgerald, SXSW, LLC - Austin, TX

  • 2:30 pm
    0.75 hr
    Legal Issues for Content Creators and Influencers

    Stephen Starks, Live Nation Entertainment - Dallas, TX

  • 3:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Reality TV

    Tristan Robinson, Weaver Robinson Law Firm, PLLC - Arlington, TX

  • 4:00 pm
    Adjourn

  • Day 1 September 11, 2025
  • Day 2 September 12, 2025
Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Grant Atkinson

ActionResponder
Los Angeles, CA

Tamera H. Bennett

Harper & Bates LLP
Dallas, TX

Chris Castle

Christian L. Castle, Attorneys
Austin, TX

Breanna Contreras

Meow Wolf
Santa Fe, NM

Tom Dean

LaPolt Law, P.C.
West Hollywood, CA

Karen Delaney

Delaney Legal PLLC
Minneapolis, MN

Megan Dunn

Megan Dunn Law, PLLC
Dallas, TX

Stevie M. Fitzgerald

SXSW, LLC
Austin, TX

Daniel Hare

Varsity Search and Baylor University
Waco, TX

Stephanie K. Hay

The Hay Law Group, PLLC
Houston, TX

Jordyn E. Hendrix

Harper & Bates LLP
Dallas, TX

Jennifer Judge

Destination Pet, LLC
Plano, TX

Dina LaPolt

LaPolt Law, P.C.
West Hollywood, CA

Alissa McCain

Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts
Austin, TX

Duncan C. Montgomery

High Frequency Entertainment, LLC
Austin, TX

Andrea N. Perez

Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal L.L.P.
Dallas, TX

Tristan Robinson

Weaver Robinson Law Firm, PLLC
Arlington, TX

Michael Norman Saleman

Austin, TX

Gwendolyn Seale

Mike Tolleson and Associates
Austin, TX

Alex Shahrestani

Promise Legal
Austin, TX

Stan Soocher

Entertainment Law & Finance
Denver, CO

Stephen Starks

Live Nation Entertainment
Dallas, TX

Heather VanDyke

Javelina Legal
Austin, TX

Mit Winter

Kenny Hertz Perry, Attorneys at Law
Kansas City, MO

Will Zech

Texas Film Commission
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Amy E. Mitchell—Chair

Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC
Austin, TX

Tamera H. Bennett

Harper & Bates LLP
Dallas, TX

Daniel Hare

Varsity Search and Baylor University
Waco, TX

Stephanie K. Hay

The Hay Law Group, PLLC
Houston, TX

Gwendolyn Seale

Mike Tolleson and Associates
Austin, TX

Stan Soocher

Entertainment Law & Finance
Denver, CO

Brent A. Turman

Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP
Dallas, TX

Alyce N Zawacki

Alyce Zawacki Law PLLC
Austin, TX

Credit Info

  • Austin
  • Live Webcast
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number  provided on your certificate of attendance.
Toggle view California – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov.  UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
Toggle view Oklahoma – Expected – 15.50 hrs  |  3.00 hrs Ethics
You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
Toggle view Pennsylvania – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed and submit. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.
Toggle view Other States – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State
If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records and to provided to other licensing authorities as needed.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.
Other Credit
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 15.00 hrs
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas.  A Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you upon claiming credit. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number  provided on your certificate of attendance.
Toggle view California – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
To claim California MCLE credit, California credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion. 

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov.  UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.
Toggle view Oklahoma – Expected – 15.50 hrs  |  3.00 hrs Ethics
To claim Oklahoma MCLE credit, Oklahoma credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion. 

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #169) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Oklahoma Bar Association for MCLE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the webcast.
Toggle view Pennsylvania – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
To claim Pennsylvania MCLE credit, Pennsylvania credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. Verification pop-ups will NOT display when the webcast video player is in "full screen" mode. Furthermore, the notification sound effect alerting pop-ups, will NOT play on mobile devices. We recommend viewing from a computer, as opposed to a mobile device, should MCLE credit, other than Texas, be needed. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion. 

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed and submitted. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.
Toggle view Other States – 13.00 hrs  |  2.50 hrs Ethics
Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State
If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.
 
To claim Other States MCLE credit, Other States credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. You must claim and  certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records and to provide to other licensing authorities as needed. 

This accreditation requires attendance verification. UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.
MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.
Other Credit
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 15.00 hrs
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live webcast presentations meet the requirements and are presumptively approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

This accreditation requires attendance verification. In compliance with the rules, UT Law CLE monitors and records attendee responses to questions that randomly appear during the live webcast presentation. The response record is detailed on the Certificate of Completion.

To claim Texas Accounting CPE credit, the Texas Accounting CPE credit option must be selected PRIOR to viewing the live webcast. Upon claiming credit, a Certificate of Completion will be emailed to you. Self-report your CPE credit directly to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Austin – Sep 11-12, 2025 – AT&T Conference Center
Live Webcast – Sep 11-12, 2025
Register now
  • Austin
  • Live Webcast
Individual
Last day for $595.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$695.00 for registrations received after this time

Small Firm (per person for firms of 5 attorneys or fewer)
Last day for $495.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$595.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $535.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$625.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $475.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$555.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Sep 5, 2025

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Sep 8, 2025
Individual
Last day for $595.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$695.00 for registrations received after this time

Small Firm (per person for firms of 5 attorneys or fewer)
Last day for $495.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$595.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $535.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$625.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $475.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$555.00 for registrations received after this time

Add-on
Last day for $100.00 Regular pricing: Aug 27, 2025

$100.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Sep 5, 2025

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Sep 8, 2025

Venue

speaker

AT&T Conference Center

The University of Texas at Austin
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX
877.744.8822 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

We’ve arranged a room block at AT&T Hotel and Conference Center for event attendees. Information about the room block, including how to book and access the discounted rate, will be provided via email as it becomes available. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox and book early, as rooms are limited and based on availability!

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

  • Harper & Bates LLP logo
    Harper & Bates LLP
    harperbates.com/
  • Jackson Walker LLP logo
    Jackson Walker LLP
    As part of the largest law firm in Texas, Jackson Walker’s Entertainment Group leverages both its years of experience and full-service resources to provide clients with valued advice that relates to multiple disciplines of the entertainment industry.  Clients turn to Jackson Walker because they are looking for creative, insightful attorneys who combine business acumen, legal experience, and vision to guide them through known and unexplored commercial and legal landscapes. This cutting-edge advice requires unique market insights as to what is driving the various sectors within the Entertainment industry, but also legal acuity to know what today’s key issues are and to anticipate future opportunities and challenges.
    www.jw.com

  • Bell Nunnally

    Bell Nunnally
    www.bellnunnally.com
Download Sponsor Details Become a Sponsor
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Email UT Law CLE for more information on sponsoring an event.

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