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Joel Katz
OVERVIEW

Joel Katz

Senior Counsel (Retired)

Atlanta

3340 Peachtree Rd NE
Suite 2900
Atlanta, GA 30326-1092

P 404-264-4088

F 404-264-4033

The world's most famous entertainers have placed their trust in Joel Katz to craft breakthrough deals that boost their careers, cultivate their talents and safeguard their assets. His star-studded client roster included music industry legends from an array of genres, as well as music producers, record companies, concert promoters and corporate heavy hitters.

OVERVIEW

The world's most famous entertainers have placed their trust in Joel Katz to craft breakthrough deals that boost their careers, cultivate their talents and safeguard their assets. His star-studded client roster included music industry legends from an array of genres, as well as music producers, record companies, concert promoters and corporate heavy hitters.

Joel has played a profound role in shaping the entertainment industry through his work in facilitating entertainment-related corporate acquisitions and mergers and consulting multi-national and multi-media entertainment companies.

Joel has been ranked Billboard magazine's No. 1 entertainment attorney in its “Power 100” list of most powerful executives in the music business and has been called “the dealmaker who thinks outside the box.”

Joel was an active participant at industry events, having served as a speaker or panelist at The Recording Academy's “Grammy in the Schools Program,” the Atlanta Downtown Partnership's “Music Industry Symposium,” as well as various lectures and panels for the Entertainment and Sports Industry Forum of the ABA and the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia.

In February 2024, Joel received a 2024 Recording Academy Trustee Award as part of the 2024 GRAMMY Week in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of recording.

Joel has also authored and co-authored many articles and commentary on various topics concerning entertainment law.

In honor of his work, the University of Tennessee College of Law dedicated its library in his name, the Joel A. Katz Law Library, and a portion of the Northside Parkway in Atlanta is known as Joel Katz Parkway due to his many contributions to the state of Georgia.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Joel has spearheaded philanthropic endeavors in education and in cancer research.

At the University of Georgia campus at Kennesaw State University, Joel endowed and begun a commercial music program – one of the largest music education programs in America with over 500 students.

Professional and Community Involvement

Inaugural advisory board, Midem

Chairman national board of directors, T. J. Martell Foundation

Board of trustees, Clark Atlanta University

Board of trustees, Berklee College of Music

Advisory board, Hunter College Music Advisory Board

Initial board of directors, GRAMMY Museum

General counsel, The Recording Academy (NARAS)

Special counsel, Country Music Association

Special counsel, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

General counsel and board of directors, Farm Aid Inc.

Fellow, Royal Society for Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA)

Member, American Bar Association (ABA)

Member, Atlanta Bar Association

Member, Georgia Bar Association

Member, Tennessee Bar Association

Former chairman, ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries

Former advisory board of directors, T. J. Martell Foundation

Former executive entertainment counsel, NARAS

Former chairman emeritus, NARAS

Former national chairman, NARAS

Former board of trustees, NARAS Foundation Board of Trustees

Founding chairman, NARAS Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI)

Honors

The Best Lawyers in America, 1989-2025; Lawyer of the Year, 2014, 2020 and 2025

Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta 500: Atlanta's Most Powerful Leaders, 2019-2020

Billboard magazine, Power List, 2022, The Power 100, 2012-2020; Country Power Players, 2018-2020; Top Music Lawyers, 2017-2023; Nashville Power Players, 2016-2017; Music's Most Powerful Attorneys, 2015; Top 50 Nashville Power Players, 2015

Chambers USA, 2008-2020

Georgia Super Lawyers, 2004-2022; Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia, 2008, 2012-2017

Daily Report, "Lifetime Achievement Award," 2019

JAMES Magazine, Georgia's Most Influential Politically-Connected Attorneys, 2019

Variety, Dealmakers Impact Report, 2010-2011, 2014, 2019, 2021; Dealmakers Elite: New York, 2017-2019; Variety 500, 2017; Legal Impact Report: 50 Game-Changing Attorneys, 2012-2013 and 2017

Marquis Who's Who, Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017

The University of Tennessee's Centennial Alumnus 100th Anniversary Celebration, 100 Most Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2017

Georgia Trend magazine, Legal Elite, 2009, 2011-2013 and 2015-2017

The Hollywood Reporter, Power Lawyers: Top 100 Most Influential Entertainment Lawyers in America, 2007-2017

City of Hope, Spirit of Life Award, 2016

The 7th Annual Starfish Ball, The NSORO Foundation, King of Carnival, 2016

Who's Who Legal, Sports & Entertainment, 2015

AlwaysOn, Power Players in Digital Entertainment, 2013

The Technology Association of Georgia Entertainment Society, Icon of the Industry Award, 2013

Law360 MVP, 2012

Major Label News, Most Powerful List, Music Edition - Top Entertainment Lawyer, 2012

New York Times' Supplement: Georgia's Best Lawyers, Top Entertainment Attorney of the Year, 2011

ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Department, 2011 Atlanta Legend" Award, 2011

CRT Atlanta, Commitment to Education Award, 2010

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2010

Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI), The GRAMMY Foundation, Service Award, 2010

The National Monuments Foundation, Middelthon-Candler Millennium Gate Prize, 2009

Benchmark Litigation Guide, Litigation Stars in Georgia, 2009

Hunter College, Bridge to Achievement Award, 2008

The Legal 500 United States, 2007-2008

The Mexican American Business Chamber, Chairman of the Year; Business of the Year; Outstanding Georgia Citizen, 2007

T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, Spirit of Excellence Award, 2007

ABA Entertainment and Sports Law, Ed Ruben Award for distinguished service and scholarship, 2006

Lawdragon 500, Leading Lawyers in America, 2005

Hunter College Hall of Fame, 2003

Federation of New York and The Music for Youth Foundation, Spirit of Music Award, 2003

Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy, Heroes Award, 2002

Georgia Trend magazine, 100 Most Influential Georgians, 2002

University of Tennessee Founder's Day Medal, 1999

Georgia Music Hall of Fame, 1995

Investment Dealers Digest, Deal of the Year, Team Leader

Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who Among Outstanding Americans; Who’s Who in Entertainment; Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals; Who’s Who in Georgia; Who’s Who in the World

Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent

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