Counsel LLP

In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscapes of entertainment, digital media, and technology, creators and innovators in California face unique and often complex legal challenges. From protecting intellectual property to navigating intricate corporate agreements and strategically growing their ventures, the need for specialized legal counsel is paramount. Counsel LLP, a boutique law firm nestled in the heart of San Francisco, stands out as a dedicated partner for those shaping the future of content, art, and technology. This article will explore the distinctive offerings of Counsel LLP, detailing their niche services, their strategic location, and what makes them an ideal choice for the creative and entrepreneurial spirits across California.

Counsel LLP is a full-service, boutique entertainment and digital media law firm that has been serving innovators and creators since its inception in 2007. Co-founded by Jonathan Blaufarb and David Kostiner, the firm specializes in all aspects of creative law, seamlessly bridging the gaps between business, art, entertainment, and technology. Their in-house skillsets extend beyond traditional legal advice, offering strategic and business development services with individualized attention. David Kostiner, for instance, not only brings significant legal expertise but also entrepreneurial experience, having co-founded IODA (the Independent Online Distribution Alliance), which was later sold to Sony Music. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at UC Law San Francisco (Hastings), further solidifying the firm's deep industry knowledge and academic rigor. Vivek Sridharan and Tucker Page, also partners, contribute extensive experience in music industry representation, from indie artists to Grammy winners.

The firm’s client roster is impressive and diverse, including top-tier recording artists, record labels, composers, producers, technologists, film and television talent, video content creators, authors, and leading-edge startups in the VR, digital media, cannabis, and gaming sectors. Counsel LLP prides itself on providing strategic and growth-focused counsel from attorneys who understand the intricacies of these fast-paced industries. For any creative professional, artist, or tech innovator in California seeking specialized legal and business guidance, Counsel LLP offers a unique blend of expertise, experience, and personalized service.

Location and Accessibility

Counsel LLP is conveniently located at 230 California St #201, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. This address places the firm in a prime spot within San Francisco's Financial District, offering excellent accessibility for clients throughout California.

The 230 California Street location is well-served by San Francisco's robust public transportation network. It is just a short walk from several major BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) stations, including Embarcadero and Montgomery Street, providing quick and direct access for clients commuting from various parts of San Francisco, the East Bay, and the Peninsula. Additionally, numerous Muni (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) bus and streetcar lines operate in the immediate vicinity, enhancing local connectivity. While parking can be challenging in the bustling Financial District, the extensive public transport options make it highly convenient for clients to reach the office. The firm's presence in such a central and accessible business and cultural hub underscores its commitment to serving a diverse clientele in the entertainment, digital media, and technology sectors across California, ensuring ease of access for crucial meetings and consultations.

Services Offered

Counsel LLP is a boutique law firm with a highly specialized focus on the entertainment and digital media industries. They offer a comprehensive suite of legal and strategic services tailored to the unique needs of creators, innovators, and companies operating at the intersection of art, technology, and business.

Here is a detailed list of key service areas where Counsel LLP provides expert legal solutions:

• Entertainment Law: Representing a wide range of clients including major recording artists, performing artists, celebrities, songwriters, composers, producers, record labels, music festivals, and film and television talent. This covers all aspects of the music industry, from first record deals to catalog sales, live performance transactions, and distribution agreements.
• Digital Media Law: Advising digital music and technology companies, video content creators, mobile firms, and businesses in emerging digital media sectors, including licensing, content rights management, and platform agreements.
• Intellectual Property (IP) Law: Specializing in the protection, enforcement, and monetization of creative assets. This includes:
  • Copyright: Advising on copyright registration, licensing, and infringement matters for musical compositions, sound recordings, literary works, and audiovisual content.
  • Trademark: Assisting with trademark clearance, registration, portfolio management, and enforcement to protect client brands and intellectual property.
• Corporate and Business Law: Providing strategic legal counsel for companies at all stages, from formation for startups to corporate maintenance. This includes:
  • Corporate Contracting & Negotiation: Drafting and negotiating a wide array of contracts essential for entertainment and tech industries, such as artist-record label agreements, publishing deals, distribution agreements, and technology licenses.
  • Entity Formation and Maintenance: Guiding new ventures through the process of forming appropriate legal entities and ensuring ongoing compliance.
  • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Advising on M&A transactions, including the sale of music catalogs and other entertainment/tech assets.
• Technology Law: Representing technologists and leading-edge startups in sectors like Virtual Reality (VR), gaming, and other emerging tech fields, addressing their specific legal and business needs.
• Cannabis Law: Offering specialized legal guidance for clients in the evolving cannabis industry, navigating its unique regulatory and business challenges.
• Strategic Business Development: Going beyond traditional legal services, the firm offers strategic and business development advice, leveraging their deep industry connections and experience to help clients grow their careers and ventures. This includes introductions within the industry.

Features / Highlights

Counsel LLP distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for innovators and creators in California.

• Boutique Specialization: The firm's exclusive focus on entertainment and digital media law means clients receive highly specialized and nuanced advice that general practice firms might not offer. This deep industry knowledge is a significant advantage in rapidly evolving sectors.
• Experienced Founding Partners: Co-founders Jonathan Blaufarb and David Kostiner bring decades of experience. David Kostiner's background as a co-founder of a successful digital music startup (IODA, sold to Sony Music) provides unique entrepreneurial insights, bridging legal advice with real-world business acumen.
• Academic and Thought Leadership: David Kostiner serves as an Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at UC Law San Francisco (Hastings) and frequently appears as a panelist and public speaker. His publications in legal journals further highlight the firm's intellectual depth and contribution to the field.
• Diverse Client Portfolio: The firm represents an impressive range of clients, from Grammy-winning artists and major record labels to cutting-edge VR and gaming startups, film/TV talent, and authors. This diversity demonstrates their ability to cater to various needs within the creative industries.
• Integrated Legal and Business Strategy: Counsel LLP prides itself on offering not just legal services but also strategic and business development services, including industry introductions. This holistic approach helps clients not only protect their assets but also grow their careers and businesses.
• Comprehensive IP Expertise: With a strong focus on intellectual property, the firm assists clients with copyright, trademark, and other IP protection crucial for creators and digital content providers.
• Responsive and Personalized Attention: As a boutique firm, Counsel LLP is well-positioned to provide individualized attention, ensuring clients receive tailored advice and prompt responses, which is highly valued in fast-paced industries.
• Presence in Key Innovation Hub: Located in San Francisco, a global center for technology and creativity, the firm is strategically positioned to serve clients at the forefront of innovation.
• Entrepreneurial Background of Attorneys: Several attorneys at the firm, including Vivek Sridharan and David Kostiner, have direct entrepreneurial experience in the music and digital media industries, informing their legal approach with practical industry insights.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly specialized boutique law firm serving niche markets like entertainment and digital media, Counsel LLP does not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the traditional consumer sense. Their value proposition is built upon their deep industry expertise, strategic counsel, and the personalized attention they provide to complex legal matters for creators and innovators.

Legal fees for services in entertainment, digital media, and intellectual property law are generally structured based on the specific needs of the client, the complexity of the project or dispute, and the time and resources required. This often involves hourly rates for attorneys, flat fees for certain transactional work (e.g., contract drafting, trademark registration), or sometimes project-based retainers. While no specific discounts or promotional packages are publicly advertised, prospective clients are encouraged to contact Counsel LLP directly. During an initial consultation, the firm can discuss their unique legal requirements and provide clarity on the proposed fee structure. The investment in Counsel LLP's expert legal and strategic guidance is an investment in protecting creative works, navigating industry challenges, and fostering the growth of innovative ventures in California's dynamic creative economy.

Contact Information

For creators, innovators, and businesses in California seeking expert legal and strategic counsel in entertainment, digital media, and technology law, here is the direct contact information for Counsel LLP:

Address: 230 California St #201, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Phone: (415) 227-0555

Mobile Phone: +1 415-227-0555

Clients are encouraged to utilize these contact details to schedule a consultation and discuss their specific legal and business needs with the firm's experienced team.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For locals across California, particularly those immersed in the vibrant and rapidly evolving fields of entertainment, digital media, and technology, Counsel LLP is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal partner. Its distinct suitability for the local community stems from its precise specialization, its blend of legal and business acumen, and its strategic location within one of the world’s leading creative and innovation hubs.

The most compelling reason for Counsel LLP's suitability lies in its dedicated focus on entertainment and digital media law. California is the global epicenter for these industries, and creators—from independent artists to major studios and tech innovators—face unique legal landscapes involving intellectual property, complex contracts, and rapidly changing digital platforms. Counsel LLP's deep expertise in these niche areas means that locals can access legal counsel that genuinely understands their industry's intricacies, challenges, and opportunities. Whether it’s negotiating a recording contract, protecting a video game’s intellectual property, or advising a VR startup, the firm's attorneys possess the specific knowledge and industry connections that a general practice firm might lack.

Furthermore, the firm’s unique approach of integrating legal services with strategic business development is a significant advantage for locals. For artists looking to grow their careers or startups seeking to scale, having legal partners who can also offer insights into industry introductions and business strategy is invaluable. This holistic support helps clients not only navigate legal hurdles but also achieve their broader career and business objectives.

The strategic location at 230 California Street in San Francisco’s Financial District ensures optimal accessibility. This central position, well-served by public transportation, makes it convenient for clients throughout the Bay Area and beyond to reach the firm for crucial meetings, fostering a collaborative and efficient legal process.

Finally, the strong entrepreneurial backgrounds of the firm's founders and partners, coupled with their academic contributions to entertainment law, provide a robust foundation of both practical experience and scholarly understanding. For Californians who are innovating, creating, and shaping the future of entertainment and technology, Counsel LLP offers the specialized legal expertise, strategic insight, and dedicated partnership essential for protecting their work and achieving success in a dynamic global marketplace.