Ryan Schmidt
7 Years of experience
Entertainment & Sports Law
Georgia
WHO IS RYAN SCHMIDT, ESQ.?
Ryan Schmidt, Esq. is an American music lawyer who represents artists, songwriters, and producers in high-stakes record deals, publishing agreements, and catalog transactions. His work and insights have been featured in Billboard, CBS Mornings, and the Los Angeles Times.
An artist turned lawyer, Ryan blends firsthand industry experience with legal training to protect creatives at pivotal moments in their careers. In his music career, Ryan has been featured on NBC’s The Voice and earned honors like “Critics’ Choice” at the Starbucks Music Makers Competition. His firsthand experience with restrictive contracts and industry red tape inspired him to become the kind of lawyer he wished he'd had.
A summa cum laude graduate of Nashville's Belmont University College of Law, Ryan graduated in the top 2% of his class and served as an Executive Officer of the Belmont Law Review. Before launching his Georgia-based principal-led solo practice, he trained under a leading Nashville entertainment law firm representing major artists and rights holders in music, visual arts, and digital media. He later practiced at boutique firms where he helped build and lead their entertainment law practices, before launching his own principal-led national music law practice in 2024. Today, he represents clients from all major creative hubs including Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Atlanta, and Miami.
Whether helping artists sign their first contract or fighting for better terms on their next big deal, Ryan’s mission remains the same: to help creatives protect their art and build sustainable careers on their terms. In addition to his legal practice, Ryan is a respected music business educator and content creator, empowering thousands of artists through his online platforms.
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Ryan Schmidt, Esq. is a music lawyer and entertainment attorney who helps artists, songwriters, producers, and music startups nationwide negotiate label and publishing deals, close high-value catalog sales, draft and review contracts, and protect their music rights. Press & Media Highlights: Ryan is a nationally recognized expert on music law, copyright, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the creative industries. He is frequently featured by major media outlets and industry conferences for his insights into protecting artist rights and navigating modern deal structures.
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Honors: Summa Cum Laude Dean's List (All Semesters)
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Is this the death of traditional Collective Management Organisations? CMOs play a crucial role in the fair distribution of royalties and the protection of intellectual property, serving as a backbone to the creative economy. The CMO’s of the future hinge on the ability to drive innovation, integrate new technological solutions and yet preserve trust among members, while expanding their role from financial intermediaries to strategic partners for music creators and their careers.
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