Talent Agreement and Representation Attorneys

Our firm represents a wide range of creative professionals across the entertainment and media industries, including actors, musicians, models, authors, influencers, dancers, athletes, and on-air personalities.

We assist with the negotiation, drafting, and review of agreements such as:

Talent Agreements
Contracts with record labels, studios, production companies, and publishers governing creative work and compensation.

Representation Contracts
Agreements with agents, managers, publicists, and other personal representatives outlining commissions, authority, and responsibilities.

Endorsement & Sponsorship Deals
Negotiating favorable terms for brand partnerships, advertising campaigns, and promotional opportunities.

Licensing Agreements
Protecting the use of music, image, likeness, digital content, and intellectual property.

Touring & Performance Contracts
Structuring agreements covering booking terms, travel obligations, and performance requirements.

Non-Compete & Exclusivity Clauses
Ensuring restrictions are reasonable and do not limit future opportunities unnecessarily.

Royalty & Profit Participation
Establishing compensation structures tied to performance revenue, royalties, or backend participation.

Our goal is to ensure each agreement protects your creative work while maximizing both immediate and long-term compensation.

Talent agreements vary significantly depending on the industry. Our attorneys provide guidance tailored to the legal and business practices of specific creative sectors.

Film & Television
Advising clients on SAG-AFTRA considerations, backend participation structures, billing and credit provisions, and residual compensation.

Music Industry
Negotiating recording agreements, publishing contracts, producer agreements, and 360 deals involving multiple revenue streams.

Modeling & Fashion
Structuring agreements addressing agency commissions, usage rights, international assignments, and licensing of image rights.

Digital Creators & Influencers
Drafting contracts governing brand partnerships, platform exclusivity, social media usage rights, and FTC advertising compliance.

Sports & Esports
Advising on agent certification requirements, sponsorship stacking issues, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.

Authors & Content Creators
Negotiating publishing agreements, option clauses for film or television adaptation, and rights related to derivative works.

Creative professionals often work with multiple representatives, each serving a different role. Understanding the legal boundaries of these roles is essential when entering representation agreements.

Our attorneys advise clients on:

• The legal distinctions between agents, managers, and attorneys in New York
• Licensing requirements for talent agents under New York law
• Commission structures and industry standards
• Limits on authority for negotiating contracts
• Risks associated with hybrid or unlicensed representation arrangements

By clarifying the responsibilities and limitations of each representative, we help clients avoid conflicts of interest and improper commission arrangements.

We tailor every agreement to our clients’ professional goals, focusing on key provisions that protect both financial and creative interests.

Important contract provisions often include:

• Payment structures and compensation schedules
• Intellectual property ownership and licensing rights
• Termination, cancellation, and dispute resolution provisions
• Credit and billing obligations
• Royalty reporting and accounting rights

Beyond individual agreements, we advise clients on long-term representation strategies and industry standards to support sustainable career growth.

Talent and representation agreements may contain provisions that significantly impact a professional’s career if not carefully reviewed.

Common red flags include:

• Perpetual or automatic renewal clauses
• Overly broad exclusivity restrictions
• Hidden commission stacking among multiple representatives
• Intellectual property or likeness rights being transferred unnecessarily
• Unclear audit rights for royalty reporting
• “Sunset” clauses that continue commissions long after a relationship ends

Our attorneys carefully review these provisions and negotiate terms that protect clients from unfair or overly restrictive agreements.

Legal guidance is especially important during key stages of a creative professional’s career.

You should consider consulting a talent agreement attorney:

• Before signing your first professional contract
• When changing agents, managers, or representatives
• After reaching a new level of commercial success or income
• When negotiating brand partnerships or endorsement deals
• If royalties, commissions, or payments appear inaccurate

Early legal advice can prevent disputes and ensure agreements reflect your true market value.

When disputes arise over representation agreements, royalties, or contractual obligations, experienced legal advocacy is essential.

Our attorneys represent clients in disputes involving:

• Breach of talent or representation agreements
• Commission disputes with agents or managers
• Royalty and accounting claims
• Misuse of name, image, or likeness rights

We pursue strategic negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation when necessary to enforce our clients’ contractual rights.

Do I need a lawyer to review a talent contract?

Yes. Legal review ensures your rights, compensation, and intellectual property are fully protected before signing.

What should be included in a representation agreement?

Key elements include payment terms, commissions, exclusivity clauses, termination provisions, and conflict-of-interest protections.

Can I renegotiate my contract after signing?

Yes. An attorney can help identify opportunities to renegotiate or amend agreements to reflect changing circumstances or market value.

How do endorsement and sponsorship deals affect my other agreements?

These deals often require coordination with existing contracts to avoid conflicts and ensure proper compensation.

Can an agent legally take more than 10% commission in New York?

New York law regulates talent agents and generally limits commission structures, though exact arrangements may vary depending on the type of representation and services provided.

What happens if my agent or manager breaches fiduciary duties?

If a representative violates fiduciary obligations—such as acting in their own interest or mismanaging funds—you may have legal claims for damages or contract termination.

Are influencer contracts enforceable without a written agreement?

While some oral agreements may be enforceable, written contracts provide far stronger protection by clearly defining compensation, deliverables, and intellectual property rights.

Can I terminate a representation agreement early?

Many agreements include termination provisions allowing either party to end the relationship under specific circumstances, such as breach or expiration of a fixed term.

Who owns my likeness and name under a talent contract?

Ownership of name, image, and likeness rights depends on the contract terms. Attorneys ensure these rights are not transferred unnecessarily or used beyond agreed purposes.

Do endorsement deals affect union membership?

Certain endorsement or commercial deals may trigger union rules or obligations, particularly for SAG-AFTRA members. Legal guidance ensures compliance with union regulations.