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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