36^th Annual

Entertainment Law Institute

PRESENTED BY
The University of Texas School of Law
Texas Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

Austin Sep 10-11, 2026 AT&T Conference Center $645 Individual | $745 after Aug 26 $545 Small Firm (per person for firms of 5 attorneys or fewer) | $645 after Aug 26 $580 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) | $670 after Aug 26 $515 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) | $595 after Aug 26

Overview

Don't miss the 36th Annual Entertainment Law Institute (ELI), co-sponsored by The University of Texas School of Law and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. ELI continues to bring together an outstanding faculty of nationally-regarded practitioners and industry insiders to keep entertainment lawyers up to date on the latest emerging trends, issues and breaking developments in music, film, games, and digital media. This year's topics are expected to include:

Ethics at the Intersection: Attorney vs. Agent and Manager Roles in Sports and Entertainment
Top 10 Cutting Edge Clauses This Year
The Ins and Outs of Music Sampling Licenses
Collaboration Catastrophes: Tips for Triaging Pre-Production
International AI Law, Emerging Litigation, and Personhood Signals
Annual Case Law "Roundup" with Stan Soocher

There are also valuable opportunities to interface with faculty and other attendees at the special Networking and Mentoring Luncheon, as well as our Thursday Evening Networking Reception. This is truly a gathering you don't want to miss!

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Day 1 September 10, 2026
Day 2 September 11, 2026

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, Sep. 10, 2026
Presiding Officer:
Brent A. Turman, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. - Dallas, TX
7:30 am

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:20 am

Welcoming Remarks
8:30 am

1.00 hr ethics

Ethics at the Intersection: Attorney vs. Agent and Manager Roles in Sports and Entertainment

Explore the ethical tensions and overlapping functions among attorneys, agents, and managers in the sports and entertainment industries, including conflicts of interest, fiduciary duties, and regulatory considerations. Gain practical guidance on structuring relationships, navigating dual roles, and maintaining compliance while effectively advising clients in a dynamic dealmaking environment.

Jeremy M. Evans, California Sports Lawyer - Newport Beach, CA

Jeremy M. Evans, California Sports Lawyer - Newport Beach, CA
9:30 am

0.75 hr

Collaboration Catastrophes: Tips for Triaging Pre-Production

Pre-production is where creative partnerships are formed and legal problems begin. Examine the deal points and relationship dynamics that most often derail independent productions before cameras roll, including issues around creative control, credit, and the structural conflicts that arise when individuals wear multiple hats. Leave with practical frameworks for spotting trouble early and structuring agreements that protect your clients when the collaboration gets complicated.

Duncan C. Montgomery, High Frequency Entertainment, LLC - Austin, TX
Lisa Normand, Platt Richmond - Dallas, TX

Duncan C. Montgomery, High Frequency Entertainment, LLC - Austin, TX
Lisa Normand, Platt Richmond - Dallas, TX
10:15 am

15-Minute Break
10:30 am

1.00 hr

Annual Case Law “Roundup”

An annual roundup of notable court rulings, including Texas judicial decisions, that impact the practice of entertainment law.

Stan Soocher, Entertainment Law & Finance - Denver, CO

Stan Soocher, Entertainment Law & Finance - Denver, CO
11:30 am

0.75 hr

Deep Fakes Are Not Alright³: Exploring Recent Celebrity-Strategies to Protect Publicity Rights

Protecting identity and NIL in the age of deepfakes, AI, and user generated content is increasingly a concern for celebrities. Explore recent filings and litigation sought by different celebrities to protect their likeness.

Lee B. Hunt, Jackson Walker LLP - Fort Worth, TX

Lee B. Hunt, Jackson Walker LLP - Fort Worth, TX
12:15 pm

NETWORKING LUNCH AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Network with colleagues and converse with conference faculty and other entertainment law experts in multiple practice areas and firm sizes. Lunch is included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon, Sep. 10, 2026
Presiding Officer:
Gwendolyn Seale, Mike Tolleson and Associates - Austin, TX
1:15 pm

0.50 hr

Top 10 Cutting Edge Clauses This Year

Explore 10 of the most innovative clauses appearing in modern entertainment contracts. From generative AI restrictions and anti-doxxing protections to digital replica consent and voice cloning safeguards, this presentation breaks down real-world language used in today’s agreements. Learn the legal intent behind these clauses, where they are trending, and strategic considerations for including or striking them based on your client’s position.

Amy E. Mitchell, Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC - Austin, TX

Amy E. Mitchell, Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC - Austin, TX
1:45 pm

0.75 hr

Lessons from the Rich and Famous: Celebrity Estate and Tax Blunders

Contemplate estate planning and tax issues illuminated by celebrities, analyzing the mistakes made, the consequences, and how to advise clients to avoid such costly blunders.

Jana Simons, Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP - Dallas, TX

Jana Simons, Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP - Dallas, TX
2:30 pm

15-Minute Break
2:45 pm

0.75 hr

Fanning the Flames: Navigating the Fair Use Firestorm of Fan Works

As fan-generated content increasingly moves from online communities into commercial marketplaces, entertainment attorneys face complex questions at the intersection of copyright and trademark enforcement. Examine the evolving legal boundaries between creative homage and actionable infringement, analyzing high-profile disputes alongside real-world examples from frontline practice and major studio enforcement policies. Gain practical frameworks for evaluating fair use defenses, assessing infringement risk across different media formats, advising clients on when licenses are necessary or realistically obtainable, and identifying the key provisions that shape modern fan-content licensing arrangements.

Justen S. Barks, Barks PLLC - Houston, TX
Alyce Zawacki, Alyce Zawacki Law PLLC - Austin, TX

Justen S. Barks, Barks PLLC - Houston, TX
Alyce Zawacki, Alyce Zawacki Law PLLC - Austin, TX
3:30 pm

1.00 hr

Piloting Through Current and Upcoming Rates, Royalties and Fees in Music Performance, Mechanical and Synchronization Settings

Discuss the many entities, individuals and considerations in the increasingly complex determination of rates and distribution of royalties to music creators and their representatives.

Jeff Brabec, BMG - Los Angeles, CA
Todd Brabec, musicandmoney.com - Los Angeles, CA

Jeff Brabec, BMG - Los Angeles, CA
Todd Brabec, musicandmoney.com - Los Angeles, CA
4:30 pm

Adjourn to Networking Reception

Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, Sep. 11, 2026
Presiding Officer:
Alyce Zawacki, Alyce Zawacki Law PLLC - Austin, TX
8:00 am

Conference Room Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:30 am

0.25 hr

First Amendment Case Study

Analyze one of the most interesting cases from 2026. In this rapid-fire CLE, learn about defamation, the First Amendment, and how truly entertaining some trials can be.

Brent A. Turman, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. - Dallas, TX

Brent A. Turman, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. - Dallas, TX
8:45 am

0.75 hr
0.25 hr ethics

House Money: A Look at the Current Status of NIL Deals and Litigation

A practitioner’s guide to the NIL economy, unpacking how real-world deals are papered, valued, and executed across sponsorship, licensing, content, and collective-backed arrangements. Go deeper on the regulatory gaps and friction points that are spawning disputes and litigation—giving a framework to counsel brands, athletes, schools, and platforms with confidence.

Kordell Caldwell, Baker Donelson - New Orleans, LA

Kordell Caldwell, Baker Donelson - New Orleans, LA
9:30 am

1.00 hr

Disputes at PROs, MLC, SoundExchange: Navigating Overclaimed and Overlapping Rights Issues

Learn how to handle overlapping claims and other rights disputes concerning musical works at the PROs and MLC and sound recordings at SoundExchange. Plus, learn about the dispute resolution processes these entities have established.

Moderator:
Gwendolyn Seale, Mike Tolleson and Associates - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Amanda Colohan, Mechanical Licensing Collective - Nashville, TN
Brieanne Jackson, SoundExchange - Washington, DC

Moderator:
Gwendolyn Seale, Mike Tolleson and Associates - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Amanda Colohan, Mechanical Licensing Collective - Nashville, TN
Brieanne Jackson, SoundExchange - Washington, DC
10:30 am

15-Minute Break
10:45 am

Lazzari Prize Presentation and Paper Summary

The Persistence Problem: Machine Unlearning and the Architecture of Enforceable Revocation Rights

Katherine Daniels, The University of Texas School of Law, Class of 2026 - Austin, TX

Katherine Daniels, The University of Texas School of Law, Class of 2026 - Austin, TX
11:00 am

0.75 hr

The Business of Being Known: Legal Strategies for Navigating the Creator Economy

From influencers and podcasters to student athletes and thought leaders, today’s content creators can be invisible one day and building digital empires the next. Fame comes fast, but few are ready for the business realities behind it—and the lessons can be brutal. A kid with a camera can go viral, but navigating content, data, and ad laws? That’s a different game. And juggling content, NIL & brand protection, contracts, compliance, and day-to-day details? Even seasoned entrepreneurs struggle to keep up. We’ll break down the legal roadmap every creator needs to navigate in the ever-changing digital world.

Danica L. Mathes, Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP - Dallas, TX

Danica L. Mathes, Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP - Dallas, TX
11:45 am

0.75 hr

Navigating Cross Border Film Incentives

As productions increasingly blend U.S. multistate tax credits with foreign rebates and treaty based incentives, attorneys must navigate a financing landscape that is both globally expansive and domestically fragmented. Examine how to structure deals that stack state level credits with international soft money programs, while managing compliance, eligibility, and risk across multiple jurisdictions. Gain practical tools for advising clients on incentive modeling, cross border co production structures, and the legal pitfalls that can derail a multistate plus international incentive strategy.

Chiquita Banks, Esq., Bankable Consulting, Inc. - Atlanta, GA
Richard Edward Ramirez, RE Ramirez Law Firm PLLC - Southlake, TX

Chiquita Banks, Esq., Bankable Consulting, Inc. - Atlanta, GA
Richard Edward Ramirez, RE Ramirez Law Firm PLLC - Southlake, TX
12:30 pm

Pick Up Lunch

Included in registration.
Friday Afternoon, Sep. 11, 2026
Presiding Officer:
Amy E. Mitchell, Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC - Austin, TX
TEXAS STAR AWARD AND LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:50 pm

Texas Star Award Presentation
1:00 pm

0.50 hr

Finding the Joy in your Entertainment Practice

Practicing law can at times be hard and tedious. However, there are many things that make practicing Entertainment Law in Texas so special and enjoyable compared to other areas of practice and other places (speaking from over 45 years of personal experience). Learn what to do to take advantage of these things to really find the joy in your own law practices.

Michael Norman Saleman, Austin, TX

Michael Norman Saleman, Austin, TX
1:30 pm

15-Minute Break
1:45 pm

0.75 hr

The Ins and Outs of Music Sampling Licenses

Examine current practices in negotiating and litigating sampling rights for songs and sound recordings.

Jeff Brabec, BMG - Los Angeles, CA
Todd Brabec, musicandmoney.com - Los Angeles, CA
Stan Soocher, Entertainment Law & Finance - Denver, CO

Jeff Brabec, BMG - Los Angeles, CA
Todd Brabec, musicandmoney.com - Los Angeles, CA
Stan Soocher, Entertainment Law & Finance - Denver, CO
2:30 pm

0.75 hr

Athletes and Entertainers Creating a Business Entity

Hear about issues to consider in structuring entities for professional athletes and entertainers.

Arielle S. Comer, Comer Law Group - Dallas, TX

Arielle S. Comer, Comer Law Group - Dallas, TX
3:15 pm

1.00 hr

International AI Law, Emerging Litigation, and Personhood Signals

Generative AI has exposed important distinctions between copyright interests and the broader human attributes increasingly captured and replicated by machine learning systems. Explore international AI and text-and-data-mining legislation, current AI cases, personhood signals, consent, compensation, and accountability, offering a global perspective on how lawmakers, courts, and industry participants are responding.

Moderator:
Chris Castle, Christian L. Castle, Attorneys and The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Kevin Madigan, Copyright Alliance - Washington, DC
George York, The Recording Industry Association of America - Washington, DC

Moderator:
Chris Castle, Christian L. Castle, Attorneys and The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Kevin Madigan, Copyright Alliance - Washington, DC
George York, The Recording Industry Association of America - Washington, DC
4:15 pm

Adjourn

Day 1 September 10, 2026
Day 2 September 11, 2026

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Chiquita Banks, Esq.

Bankable Consulting, Inc.
Atlanta, GA

Justen S. Barks

Barks PLLC
Houston, TX

Jeff Brabec

BMG
Los Angeles, CA

Todd Brabec

musicandmoney.com
Los Angeles, CA

Kordell Caldwell

Baker Donelson
New Orleans, LA

Chris Castle

Christian L. Castle, Attorneys and The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Amanda Colohan

Mechanical Licensing Collective
Nashville, TN

Arielle S. Comer

Comer Law Group
Dallas, TX

Katherine Daniels

The University of Texas School of Law, Class of 2026
Austin, TX

Jeremy M. Evans

California Sports Lawyer
Newport Beach, CA

Lee B. Hunt

Jackson Walker LLP
Fort Worth, TX

Brieanne Jackson

SoundExchange
Washington, DC

Kevin Madigan

Danica L. Mathes

Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP
Dallas, TX

Amy E. Mitchell

Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC
Austin, TX

Duncan C. Montgomery

High Frequency Entertainment, LLC
Austin, TX

Lisa Normand

Platt Richmond
Dallas, TX

Richard Edward Ramirez

RE Ramirez Law Firm PLLC
Southlake, TX

Michael Norman Saleman

Austin, TX

Gwendolyn Seale

Mike Tolleson and Associates
Austin, TX

Jana Simons

Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP
Dallas, TX

Stan Soocher

Entertainment Law & Finance
Denver, CO

Brent A. Turman

Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
Dallas, TX

George York

The Recording Industry Association of America
Washington, DC

Alyce Zawacki

Alyce Zawacki Law PLLC
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Amy E. Mitchell—Chair

Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC
Austin, TX

Tamera H. Bennett

Harper & Bates LLP
Dallas, TX

Daniel Hare

Rainey & Rainey, PLLC
Waco, TX

Stephanie K. Hay

The Hay Law Group, PLLC
Houston, TX

Gwendolyn Seale

Mike Tolleson and Associates
Austin, TX

Stan Soocher

Entertainment Law & Finance
Denver, CO

Brent A. Turman

Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Alyce Zawacki

Alyce Zawacki Law PLLC
Austin, TX

Credit Info

Austin

MCLE Credit

Texas – 13.00 hrs | 1.25 hrs Ethics

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 13.00 hrs | 1.25 hrs Ethics

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Oklahoma – Expected – 15.50 hrs | 1.50 hrs Ethics

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Pennsylvania – 13.00 hrs | 1.00 hrs Ethics

UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks after credit is claimed . Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Other States – Expected – 13.00 hrs | 1.25 hrs Ethics

Note on Self-Reporting Your Credits in Another State

If you wish to satisfy MCLE or other professional education requirements in another state for a program offered by the University of Texas School of Law, please check with the state bar or other licensing authority in that state to ensure it will qualify for self-reporting your credits.

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records and to provided to other licensing authorities as needed.

MCLE credit is presented based on a 60-minute credit hour.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 15.60 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Austin – Sep 10-11, 2026 – AT&T Conference Center

Austin

Individual
Last day for $645.00 Regular pricing: Aug 26, 2026
$745.00 for registrations received after this time

Small Firm (per person for firms of 5 attorneys or fewer)
Last day for $545.00 Regular pricing: Aug 26, 2026
$645.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $580.00 Regular pricing: Aug 26, 2026
$670.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $515.00 Regular pricing: Aug 26, 2026
$595.00 for registrations received after this time

Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: Sep 4, 2026
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: Sep 7, 2026

Venue

AT&T Conference Center

The University of Texas at Austin
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX
877.744.8822 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

Rooms are available at a rate of $204 per night. Please use this link to book your reservation. Special room rate is available until August 9, 2026, or until the room block is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Parking Information

Parking is available in the conference center's attached garage, as well as Rowling Hall Garage. Both garage entrances are located on W 20th St. Guests may self-park or use the hotel's valet services at the University Avenue entrance. Parking rates are subject to change without notice.

Self-parking fees:

Hourly Parking:
0-30 minutes, $3
31-60 minutes, $4
1– 2 hours, $6
2– 3 hours, $9
3– 4 hours, $12
4– 5 hours, $15
5– 8 hours, $18
8– 24 hours, $21
Lost ticket, $42

Valet Parking Rates:
Daily valet: $21
Overnight valet: $38

Additional Information

The conference will take place in the Junior Ballroom at the AT&T Center. If you self-park in the AT&T Conference Center Garage, please take the conference center elevators to level “M2" and follow signs to the Junior Ballroom. If you park in Rowling Hall Garage, please take the elevators to level “B1” and walk across the courtyard to the Conference Center, where you can take the elevators to level "M2".

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

Jackson Walker LLP

Jackson Walker LLP
www.jw.com

As part of the largest law firm in Texas, Jackson Walker’s Entertainment Group leverages both its years of experience and full-service resources to provide clients with valued advice that relates to multiple disciplines of the entertainment industry. Clients turn to Jackson Walker because they are looking for creative, insightful attorneys who combine business acumen, legal experience, and vision to guide them through known and unexplored commercial and legal landscapes. This cutting-edge advice requires unique market insights as to what is driving the various sectors within the Entertainment industry, but also legal acuity to know what today’s key issues are and to anticipate future opportunities and challenges.
Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.

Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
www.munsch.com

Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C., is a Texas-based, full-service commercial law firm with more than 180 attorneys in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Austin. From corporate transactions to dispute resolution, Munsch Hardt provides wide-ranging legal expertise to its clients, navigating each step with in-depth knowledge and responsive action. We are recognized by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers, and named a “Top Workplace” by the Dallas Morning News and Houston Chronicle, and a “Best Place to Work” by Austin Business Journal.
The Lewis Group

The Lewis Group
www.lewisgrp.biz
Haynes Boone

Haynes Boone
haynesboone.com

Entertainment Law Institute

Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, Sep. 10, 2026

Thursday Afternoon, Sep. 10, 2026

Friday Morning, Sep. 11, 2026

Friday Afternoon, Sep. 11, 2026