Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Ivan J. Parron, Esq. currently serves as the managing attorney and principal of Parron & Associates, PL, a boutique entertainment, media, sports and technology law firm based out of Miami Beach, Florida. The law firm represents a wide range of entertainment and media clients including artists, record labels, motion picture production companies, digital media distribution companies, television networks, magazine publications, merchandising companies and tour production companies. Mr. Parron has over 15 years of executive and legal experience in the digital media, music and entertainment space with strong emphasis on business strategy/development and venture management/capitalization, serving as a CEO, board member and an in-house attorney.

Mr. Parron previously served as in-house attorney at Universal Music Group, based out of the Miami Beach regional office which oversees the US Latin market, Spain and Portugal. During his tenure, Mr. Parron represented the company in negotiations with some of the top selling and world renown music artists including Juanes, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, Jim Jones, Paris Hilton, Nelly Furtado, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar and Wisin & Yandel. He also oversaw business and legal affairs for several of the company’s joint ventures, was instrumental in the company’s efforts in obtaining digital and mobile distribution rights from its artists, and assisted in developing an “American Idol”- style venture.

During the “DotCom Boom” in the late 1990’s, Mr. Parron served as founder and CEO of Ritmoteca.com, Inc., the world’s first legal source for downloadable Latin music via the Internet and mobile networks. The company was an early predecessor to the now highly successful Apple iTunes business model. As CEO, he oversaw the vision and implementation of the company’s business plan, capitalization and forging of strategic partnerships. Mr. Parron helped pioneer the deal structure for digital distribution of music, signing digital distribution agreements with over 60 top independent record labels and aggregating exclusive digital rights to over 600,000 music tracks and videos including exclusive digital distribution rights to catalogs of artists like Marc Anthony , Carlos Vives , Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. His vision and business savvy also led his company to become the first Latin music venture to sign digital music distribution deals with the major record labels including Sony, BMG, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, securing his position as a dealmaker. Under his leadership, Ritmoteca forged strategic alliances with companies including Microsoft, AOL, Real Networks, Nokia, Motorola, MusicNet and Napster. Mr. Parron built the company up to 200 employees with satellite offices in Europe backed by private and institutional investors including Bain Capital in Boston.

Prior to Ritmoteca, Mr. Parron served as founder and president of Internet Marketing Consultants, one of the first Internet and new media consulting firms in Florida in 1994. He consulted for international media brands and companies including MTV, Nickelodeon and Discovery Channel.

Mr. Parron has been involved in media and entertainment industry practically his entire life, playing alto saxophone since the age of six, working as a DJ at the age of 14 and working in practically every department of Miami FM radio stations throughout his college career. He is a member of both the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is an active member in his community and donates his time and efforts to charities including La Liga Contra El Cancer, Amigos For Kids and The Susan G. Koman Foundation. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida and is currently in the process of being admitted to practice in Washington D.C. where he plans to open a second office this year. http://www.ParronLaw.com

Steve Cody was born in Massachusetts, but has has lived in Florida almost all of his life. He received his Bachelor's degree from Florida State University and then went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law.

Steve concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation and appellate work. He is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before all of the Florida courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

After graduating law school, Steve served as a legislative aide to Representative William E. Sadowski. Sadowski was a member of the Florida House. While with the Legislature, Steve helped to author the Florida Voting Rights Act and the Florida Limited Liability Company Act, among other pieces of legislation. He worked on the sunset review of various parts of the Florida Statutes, including the Florida Insurance Code and the Regulated Industries (Gaming) Code. He was also extensively involved in the reapportionment of the Florida House, Florida Senate, and United States Congressional districts for Florida.

Since entering private practice he has represented the Florida House of Representatives during the period 2001-2004, the Gore/Lieberman campaign in 2000, and the City of Miami. Past and present representative clients include the Royal Bank of Canada, Refco Group, Paine Webber, Banco de Balboa, Banco de Santander, Banco Exterior de Espana, AIG, former Congresswoman Carrie Meek, Rhode Island Hospital Trust, Cessna Finance Corporation, Sears, Dun & Bradstreet, and AT&T. Steve has also represented numerous persons with disabilities and organizations concerned with the rights of the disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Martindale-Hubbell has rated Steve as an "A-V" attorney recognizing him as a lawyer with pre-eminent legal abilities, reflecting his overall expertise, experience, integrity, and professionalism.
Significant reported cases include: In re Constitutionality of House Joint Resolution 25E, 863 So.2d 1176 (Fla. 2003); Martinez v. Bush, 234 F.Supp.2d 1275 (S.D. Fla. 2002); Florida Senate v. Forman, 826 So.2d 279 (Fla. 2002); In re: Constitutionality of House Joint Resolution 1987, 817 So.2d 819 (Fla. 2002); Brown v. Butterworth, 831 So.2d 683 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002); Shotz v. City of Plantation, 248 F.3d 1180 (11th Cir. 2001); Meek v. Metropolitan Dade County, 985 F.2d 1471 (11th Cir. 1993); Meek v. Metropolitan Dade County, 805 F.Supp 967 (S.D. Fla. 1992); 1401 Brickell Associates, Ltd. v. Stinson, Lyons & Schuette, P.A, 522 So.2d 459 (Fla. 3d DCA 1988); Lowy v Roberts, 453 So.2d 886 (Fla. 3d DCA 1984).
Because of Steve's unswerving efforts to bring fairness to the way in which members of the Miami-Dade County Commissioners were elected, the very Commission that Steve forced to reform, proclaimed May 18, 1993 as "Stephen Cody Day" in Miami-Dade County.
Representative news articles that have focused on cases Steve has been involved in include:
"Battle Over Political Maps Pricey", The Miami Herald, April 23, 2002, page 3B.

"Trip to Polls can be so Difficult Disabled Often Do Not Vote", Orlando Sentinel, March 28, 2001.

Obstacles at Polls Spur Disabled Voters to Consider Lawsuit", Orlando Sentinel, Mar 28, 2001, page A1.

"PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Disabled Say Florida Makes Voting Difficult", The National Law Journal, December 11, 2000.

"Rare Hospitality?", The Miami Herald, February 27, 2000, page 1B.

"Deals and The Ballot: Miami Vote Could Help Carollo Foes Living Outside City", The Miami Herald, October 31, 1999, page 1A.

"Disabled Rally Against Eviction of Party Boat from Miamarina", The Miami Herald, August 19, 1999, page 3B.

"Suarez Launches His Comeback Bid: Lawyers Seek Review Of Court Decision Naming Carollo Mayor", March 18, 1998, page 1B.
"When is House not a Home?", Miami New Times, June 19, 1997.

"Experts Predict Lots of Challenges to Minority Voting Districts in View of the Ruling Against Race-Based Districts, Fights are Likely at All Levels of Government", Orlando Sentinel, July 1, 1995, page A14.

"Historic Shift in Store for School Board", The Miami Herald, November 22, 1994, page 1A.
"He fought for right and changed the state of politics", The Miami Herald, April 26, 1993, page 13A.

"Judge Orders Single Member Districts In Dade: The Federal Order Will Give Hispanics the Most Commissioners with Whites and Blacks Dividing the Rest", (Associated Press) Orlando Sentinel. Dec. 24, 1992, page. B.5.

Maternity Creates Pregnant Pause: Expectant Employees Face Volitile Workplace Face Workplace Bias, Studies Says", Chicago Tribune, July 28, 1991, page 1.

"Reform Now or ...", The Miami Herald, December 19, 1990, page 20A.
EDUCATION:

Florida State University, Bachelor of Science
(with dual majors in Government and English)

University of Florida, Juris Doctor
PROFESSIONAL:
The Florida Bar
The American Bar Association
United States Supreme Court
United States Circuit Court, Fifth Judicial Circuit
United States Circuit Court, Eleventh Judicial Circuit
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida