Variety’s “Music Legal Elite 2026” highlights leading music-industry attorneys based on their work over the previous year, rather than simply their reputations or client lists.

– The lawyers are credited with negotiating major artist contracts, catalogue sales, financing arrangements and rights clearances.
– Key concerns include protecting music copyright against AI misuse, preventing unfair artist agreements and encouraging industry-wide cooperation on legislation such as the NO FAKES Act.
– Lisa Alter and Katie Baron reported handling over $1 billion in transactions, including deals involving Rod Stewart, Wu-Tang Clan-related rights and several high-profile catalogues.
– Jason Boyarski and David Fritz worked on deals for Jisoo, Fetty Wap and Lil Tecca, as well as catalogue and music-clearance negotiations.