Protecting and Preserving Legacy
Protecting and Preserving Legacy
Entertainment Law
Protecting and Preserving Legacy
Our goal at the Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C. is to exceed the expectations of our clients by providing them the highest level of service. The entertainment clientele comes with a myriad of challenging issues, many of which require creative solutions while keeping in mind the time sensitivity involved.
Our commitment to excellence ensures that we make each client a priority while utilizing our collective experience to efficiently problem solve. We pride ourselves on anticipating the needs of our clients and at all times providing the highest quality of legal services with integrity and professionalism.
A Welcome from Our Founder
Heather Beverly, Esq. established the Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C. in Chicago in 1998. In this short video, she introduces the firm and its commitment to the artists, creators, companies and estates it represents.
Heather Beverly, Esq.
Attorney/Founder, Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C.
The Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C. customizes our services to meet the specific needs of our clients in the entertainment industry. Our services include:
Heather Beverly, Esq.
Attorney/Founder, Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C.
No matter what aspect of the entertainment business you are involved in (creative or business side), the business of the business is most important. Critical to the business is the team you assemble around you. Entertainment lawyers are attorneys who address the specialized legal needs inherent in the lives of their clients involved in TV, film, music, media and other entertainment related industries. In any entertainment lawyer description, you want to make sure you see the areas of expertise particular to your situation. Although the exact areas of law each lawyer or law firm may specialize in vary, generally you can expect that an entertainment attorney can assist you with: business organization and formation, intellectual property issues (copyrights, trademarks), contract drafting and negotiations, specialty union matters, name and likeness rights, publishing and distribution, and consultation regarding industry specific issues that help you navigate your career in entertainment. Some litigate infringement, breach of contract and other matters. Others can be a resource for you to people, places and information you need in the growth and evolution of your career.
Anyone serious about their career will need advice at some point. Although friends, family, peers, managers and other persons in your inner circle can be a resource for many things, when it comes to protecting your rights, handling the intricacies of a contract negotiation, structuring a business deal, understanding the ever-evolving technological and monetization methods and legal developments related to them, or other legal related matters, it is imperative that you select an attorney who has experience in the issues at hand so that you can make key decisions with informed confidence.
The entertainment industry revolves around creators and the business that results from their creative expression. As a screenwriter, director, musical artist, songwriter, or a performer with a public image or voice, you own creative rights and publicity rights. When you perform, provide services, display or distribute your work, collaborate with others, form partnerships or other business alliances or use the services or works of others, there are many issues that arise that you need to be aware of so that you ensure that your rights are properly managed and protected. And as your celebrity rises, there are even more legal considerations related to your name, likeness and image. All of these rights present issues that not only affect you and your career now, but can have a residual effect on your heirs and your estate for your lifetime and years thereafter. Having the right attorney who specializes in these matters specifically is necessary for your legal needs in these areas to be properly assessed and addressed.
When opportunities present themselves in the entertainment industry, so does the need for contracts. Entertainment industry related contracts are not to be taken lightly as they lay out the rights, obligations, timeframes, benefits and risks of a given situation. Contracts also give and take away rights, lay out the compensation structure of the deal, ownership interests and recourse in the event the relationship doesn’t go as planned. Having an attorney well versed in the specific type of contract you are presented with (or need to present) is paramount. After all, it’s not always what’s in a contract, but what’s NOT in one that can make all the difference in the world.
Lawyers provide more than strictly legal related services. Attorneys are also depended on for advice, counsel and resource. You’ve likely heard the phrase “attorney and counselor”. It’s a common phrase used to describe the various roles lawyers play for their clients. Because the industries of entertainment are ever-evolving, entertainment lawyers must be abreast of those changes so as to inform their clients accordingly about the most current changes and developments. Entertainment lawyers also serve as a resource to other people, places and things that their clients need to navigate the industry and flourish in their endeavors. In fact, many entertainment attorneys are specifically sought after because of their connectivity and influence in the industry to other key people, organizations, companies and resources (i.e. managers, unions and other professional organizations, financial professionals, publicists, litigators or attorneys with other specializations such as family law, criminal defense, etc.)
The attorneys at the Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C. are committed to excellence in everything we do. Our clients are our #1 priority. As a result, we give our best efforts to reach the goals and results they seek. Outcomes can’t be guaranteed in any legal scenario, however, putting forth our best collective efforts on your behalf and with your best interest in mind is “our guarantee”.
The entertainment business comes with a complex array of legal issues and implications. Our attorneys are talented, knowledgeable, and have the experience necessary to tackle a wide variety of entertainment related matters. Not only do we HAVE the experience to service our clients’ needs, but we also prioritize the “client experience” by paying close attention to each client’s individual needs. Communication is key and our approach is professional, yet personable. In our firm, whether you’re a “newbie” or a “legend”, each client is a star!
Deadlines, limited opportunities, protection urgencies, avoidance of escalation and other factors render many entertainment deals and issues time sensitive. Not to mention, “time is money”. Our attorneys efficiently problem solve and offer creative solutions to our clients while keeping in mind the time sensitivity and constraints that may be involved.
Our goal at the Law Office of Heather Beverly, P.C. is to provide our clients with the highest level of legal services with professionalism and integrity. We take the time to get to know our clients beyond the surface level so that we understand who they are in addition to what they seek to accomplish. We anticipate our clients’ needs and understand that they may not always know what to ask for. While we address immediate needs we educate our clients along the way, providing advice and counsel regarding industry standards and norms, branding, business expansion and monetization, global positioning and strategic partnerships. We are vested in our clients’ longevity, hence our mantra “Protecting and Preserving Legacy”.
“Heather Beverly isn’t just my lawyer. For almost a decade, she has been my business affairs teammate in the music, film, to deals we do for my entertainment companies. Her Marketing degree and background sets her apart from just being an entertainment attorney: and her work ethic matches her passion for what she does. That’s what makes her great.”
Mathew Knowles
Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author and CEO, Music World Entertainment Corporation & Music World Film & TV, LLC
“Heather Beverly is the best in the business. Heather & her team are preeminent deal makers, multi-industry experts, relationally attentive, and professionally superior. Their knowledge, expertise, and execution is captivating. Your profit is their priority!”
Charles Jenkins
CEO, Inspired People Music & Positive Air Inc
“Heather Beverly has represented me for years. She is the best! I wouldn’t start a new venture without her.”
Stacey Morris
aka Stacey Kutz, Oscar Award Nominated Hairstylist and Television Personality
These FAQs provide valuable information for clients and potential clients seeking assistance from an entertainment law firm.
