Jeff Becker
Partner at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP - Legal Advice for Entertainment and Media Industries
Jeff is Chair of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Entertainment and Media Law Practice Group. Among his clients are musicians, actors, publishers and record labels, theatrical producers and playwrights, authors, independent filmmakers and other creative individuals and entertainment-related businesses. For these clients, Jeff provides comprehensive representation in the transactional and litigation aspects of their businesses. In doing so, he counsels clients in the preparation, analysis and negotiation of various issues, including licensing and distribution rights, royalty negotiations and disputes, rights acquisition and clearances, talent agreements, production and performance agreements, music publishing and licensing agreements, recording contracts and master license agreements, talent submissions and artist management agreements.
Jeff strives to find the most cost-efficient way to help clients secure and protect their rights. In 2015, Jeff was selected as one of the Top 40 Attorneys Under the Age of 40 in Illinois. He is an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University College of Law, where he teaches Music Law, and has guest lectured on entertainment-related topics at various universities, panels and festivals around the country.
Jeff is also a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation Practice Groups. His roots are grounded in complex business and intellectual property litigation, representing clients in contractual and business tort disputes, infringement of intellectual property rights, professional liability claims, trade secret misappropriation and post-judgment collection proceedings. He has extensive experience representing clients in the preparation, negotiation and litigation of restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements. He also has developed a strong practice litigating claims involving copyright and trademark infringement, advertising injury, defamation, misleading and deceptive advertising, rights of publicity and privacy, violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and unfair competition.
In the event litigation becomes necessary, Jeff works with his clients to resolve their cases effectively and cost-efficiently. He proudly volunteers his time to Lawyers for the Creative Arts, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to eligible clients in all areas of the arts.
Come speak with Jeff Becker about various legal (and practical) issues you may be confronting in your pursuit of a business in the entertainment or media industry. Jeff can provide a great deal of insight concerning the issues confronting individuals and businesses working in the music and film industries, and would be glad to chat with you during his next mentor session.
