“I’m a fearless negotiator and solutions-oriented advocate for my clients in protecting their creations and enforcing their rights.”
-Attorney Joseph Bellanca
I am an entertainment, sports, and media attorney with 30 years of experience in a dynamic cross section of the entertainment, sports and media worlds. In representing individual and corporate clients, I combine my unique business experience of running a 7,000 seat amphitheater, managing bands, producing local and national events, and a passion for motivating and advising clients to achieve their dreams. I take a holistic approach to providing full scope representation in addressing each client’s needs with a focus on accomplishing both short- and long-term goals.
I advise entertainers, celebrities, musicians, music producers, athletes, film and television writers, radio and television talent, record labels, artists, music and book publishers, music festivals, music venues, event promoters, entrepreneurs, authors, advertising agencies and media companies on issues related to contracts, licensing, trademarks and copyrights. My diverse collection of clients include Fortune 500 companies, Grammy award winning songwriters, producers and performers, Billboard charting artists, Olympic Gold Medalists, Internationally known music festivals and events, concert promoters, restauranteurs, incredible films and other productions, iconic brands and celebrities, established music executives and inspiring creative minds. I am often engaged to represent business clients and creative agencies in obtaining rights for multifaceted national creative campaigns.
On behalf of my clients, I negotiate recording, music and book publishing, management, talent, sponsorship, media purchasing, licensing, personal appearance, endorsement and performance agreements. I work with clients protecting their brand, name, reputation and creative works by registering, enforcing and licensing their valuable intellectual property. I also advise advertising and marketing clients regarding media rights, rights of publicity and privacy issues, brand management and trademark and copyright clearances.
In addition to advocating for my clients in transactional matters and dispute resolution,. I understand the importance of protecting a brand and the tireless work that is invested in developing generational brand loyalty, recognition, goodwill, and value.
Education
- Michigan State University, BA (2003)
- Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, JD (2008)
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States Supreme Court
Practice Areas
- Entertainment Law
- Intellectual Property
Honors & Awards
- SuperLawyer, Entertainment Law 2022 – 2024
- SuperLawyer Rising Star, Entertainment Law – 2013 – 2020
- dBusiness Top Lawyer – 2013 2024
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyer – 2014
Education
- Michigan State University, BA (2003)
- Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, JD (2008)
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States Supreme Court
Practice Areas
- Entertainment Law
- Intellectual Property
Honors & Awards
- SuperLawyer, Entertainment Law 2022 – 2024
- SuperLawyer Rising Star, Entertainment Law – 2013 – 2020
- dBusiness Top Lawyer – 2013 2024
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyer – 2014
Examples of Excellence
- Represented creative clients in 6 figure transactions
- Represented the estate of a songwriter whose original song was sampled in a multi-platinum hit song.
- Represented artists in signing recording agreements with major record labels.
- Represented a well-known artist in severing ties with its personal manager
- Negotiated resolution of a shareholder dispute between the owners of a major record label.
- Obtained significant monetary damages from a major television production company resulting from the unauthorized use of an individual’s copyright and likeness.
- Negotiated multiple distribution and joint venture agreements on behalf of independent record labels and artists with major record companies and related distributors.
- Represented athletes and entertainers in multi-year endorsement and licensing agreements.
- Negotiated and secured all rights for the production of multiple Super Bowl commercials.
- Successfully enforced a breach of contract claim against a music venue who refused to pay a world-class artist for his performance.
- Negotiated the production and presentation of a major international sporting event on a multi-year basis.
- Recovered unclaimed royalties for songwriters, producers, performers, and music publishers.
- Represented a major music festival in negotiations with artists, agents, managers, sponsors, and vendors.
- Provide chain of title written opinions for feature films, documentaries, and commercials.
- Represented venue, bar, restaurant, and festival owners and producers against allegations made by performing rights organizations
- Obtained an immediate dismissal of a copyright infringement and unfair competition case brought against a visual artist.
Professional Affiliations & Credentials
Past Chair: Arts, Communication, Entertainment & Sports Section, State Bar of Michigan
Past President: Italian American Bar Association of Michigan
Executive Board: Detroit Music Awards Foundation
Member: National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys), American Bar Association Forum on Sports & Entertainment, Oakland County Bar Association, Macomb County Bar Association
Testimonials
Thank you to attorneys Howard Hertz and Joseph Bellanca, my power house legal team at Hertz Schram, for negotiating the screenwriting deal and contract – now I have a producer from NY attached. You guys are the pros in everything.
Joe Bellanca’s experience and professionalism made it very easy to be confident in his skills as an attorney. Like most people, I didn’t know who to go to after hitting a few brick walls. Joe has been the answer to my prayers and helped me win the case! With Joe on your side, you are in the best position for success.
As an ad agency working in both the automotive and music industries, Joe has guided us through some very complex music licensing, artist acquisition, and all things contractually-based. With Joe as part of our team, we’re always confident our deals are solid.
I have worked with Joe a number of times on projects across multiple sectors in the entertainment industry. He is hardworking, dedicated to his clients, personable and truly an expert in his field. His legal knowledge and experience mixed with his business acumen makes him a tremendous asset that I will continue to work with and recommend for years to come.
Without hesitation, I strongly recommend Joe as an attorney capable of assisting you with your legal needs. Joe takes great pride in providing exceptional legal services to his clients. I have always known Joe to be an articulate individual who possesses great command of both the written and spoken words, which makes Joe an ideal attorney in a great deal of legal disciplines from negotiating entertainment contracts to civil litigation.
Working with Joe Bellanca has been nothing short of phenomenal! His ability to cater to an artist needs in the ever-changing climate of the music industry is not only impressive but admirable. Joe has built and maintained my trust, 100%.