Berklee College of Music has named Joel Katz, a leader in the field of entertainment law, to its board of trustees. Katz is former Chairman of the American Bar Association’s Entertainment & Sports Law Section. His clients are some of the world’s most well-known entertainers, producers, record labels, concert promoters and Fortune 500 companies, including Kenny Chesney, Julio Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Ludacris, Michael Jackson’s estate, the Country Music Association, Dick Clark Productions, and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).
More than 30 years ago, he founded Katz, Smith & Cohen, which became one of the country’s largest music entertainment law firms. In 1998, Katz merged his practice with Greenberg Traurig. In 2012, Katz was named #38 on Billboard’s Power 100 list.
“As I have spent my entire working life in the entertainment and music business, being now included on Berklee’s board will give me a chance to give back even more to an industry that has been so good to me,” said Katz. “I look forward to working with the school administration, the teaching and professional team, and of course the students. I hope to be able to give of my experiences in the artistic community directly to the students.”
“Joel Katz has advised and represented a who’s who of the music industry, and is someone who cares about giving opportunities to musicians and to students, and at Berklee, we have both,” said Berklee president Roger H. Brown. “His vast knowledge of the music and music makers will be extremely valuable to the college.”
Katz is active at industry events, having served as a speaker or panelist at The Recording Academy’s Grammy in the Schools Program, the Atlanta Downtown Partnership’s Music Industry Symposium, the Entertainment and Sports Industry Forum of the ABA and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Katz has also authored and co-authored many articles and commentary on various topics concerning entertainment law.
More than 30 years ago, he founded Katz, Smith & Cohen, which became one of the country’s largest music entertainment law firms. In 1998, Katz merged his practice with Greenberg Traurig. In 2012, Katz was named #38 on Billboard’s Power 100 list.
“As I have spent my entire working life in the entertainment and music business, being now included on Berklee’s board will give me a chance to give back even more to an industry that has been so good to me,” said Katz. “I look forward to working with the school administration, the teaching and professional team, and of course the students. I hope to be able to give of my experiences in the artistic community directly to the students.”
“Joel Katz has advised and represented a who’s who of the music industry, and is someone who cares about giving opportunities to musicians and to students, and at Berklee, we have both,” said Berklee president Roger H. Brown. “His vast knowledge of the music and music makers will be extremely valuable to the college.”
Katz is active at industry events, having served as a speaker or panelist at The Recording Academy’s Grammy in the Schools Program, the Atlanta Downtown Partnership’s Music Industry Symposium, the Entertainment and Sports Industry Forum of the ABA and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Katz has also authored and co-authored many articles and commentary on various topics concerning entertainment law.
