Lawyers 4 Independent Music: Josh Kaplan, Brian Troglia and Eric Malnar Host Artist Showcase at South by Southwest 2010

CHICAGO, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago firm Stahl Cowen Crowley Addis LLC will be sponsoring the Lawyer4Musicians.com showcase at the 2010 South by Southwest Music Conference ("SXSW").  SXSW is an annual showcase that promotes new talent in the music industry from all around the globe.  This year the conference takes place from March 17-21 in downtown Austin, Texas and is an essential music networking event for the entire music industry.  Musicians, executives and fans flock to Austin every year to network and get a sneak peek at up-and-coming talent.

Now in its second year, the Lawyer4Musicians.com showcase will involve Stahl Cowen clients The Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall, French Horn Rebellion, Hey Champ, Whatsizface, and will include a contest, co-sponsored by another client, Music Dealers, for the showcase's opening spot.  The showcase will give the firm's clients the ability to shine in front of the entire music world as well as promote the services of the firm to musicians and music industry businesses.  In 2009, the event was a huge success, attracting over 500 fans and media coverage from MTV, Vapors Magazine, Over America, Karmaloop and numerous industry blogs.

Lawyer4Musicians.com, written by Josh Kaplan, is a website dedicated to helping musicians understand the complex legal and business issues commonly found in the music industry.  Started as an outlet for his frustration with the "industry standard", Josh now uses the website to share his experience and perspective on the ever-changing music industry.

Lawyer4Musicians is now made up of Stahl Cowen attorneys Josh Kaplan, Brian Troglia and Eric Malnar.  All are dedicated attorneys with a connection to music.  They use their unique experience and legal knowledge to help musicians, music-based businesses and creative types navigate their way through an ever-changing industry.   

Josh Kaplan is the founder of Lawyer4Musicians as well as a business lawyer who focuses on music, entertainment and intellectual property law.  Josh regularly works with musicians, producers, djs, artists, film makers, writers and designers to protect their work product through entity formation, contract negotiations, license agreements, and copyright and trademark registration. Josh has negotiated on behalf of his clients to place their music in movies, television shows, video games, commercials, webcasts and compilations with other artists. In addition, Josh has extensive experience assisting film makers and musicians in their quest for private funding for their film and music projects. Josh regularly negotiates and drafts private placement offerings and all corresponding documents including operating agreements and subscription agreements.  Josh often acts as a left brain guide to right brain thinkers in his effort to get the struggling artist to stop struggling quite as much and to treat their art as a business.  

Brian Troglia is a business attorney who brings 18 years of experience to assist clients.  Whether it is a start up business, or an existing business seeking structure or growth, Brian guides entertainment industry clients to help them reach their goals.  Brian works with musicians and entertainment venues in areas of general contract law, licensing, performance contracts, independent contractor agreements and internal agreements between band members.  He represents numerous hospitality industry clients who focus on musical performances as the core of their business.  Brian comes from a family of musicians and vocalists, and this background has continually provided him with an understanding and appreciation of the industry.  

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Eric Malnar was a member of his own rock band for over ten years and has actually performed at SXSW in the past.  Eric utilizes his prior experience as a working artist in order to help up-and-coming artists navigate the cut-throat entertainment industry.  Eric is a trial lawyer at Stahl Cowen where, in addition to entertainment law, practices in commercial litigation helping clients in matters involving breach of contract, real estate, fraud, contract negotiation, trademark violations, trade secret violations, legal malpractice and securities litigation.  

For more information on the Lawyer4Musicians.com showcase please visit Lawyer4Musicians.com or StahlCowen.com.  For more information on the attorneys please contact [email protected].

SOURCE Stahl Cowen Crowley Addis LLC