| Erin M. Jacobson | |
| Occupation: | Attorney |
| Education: | University of Southern California (BA) Southwestern Law School (JD) |
Erin M. Jacobson is an American attorney[1] and writer.[2] Jacobson specializes in music industry intellectual property law, representing different music award-winning artists.
Jacobson has been featured on Billboard and Music Business Worldwide, as well as other music-related magazines for her work as a music lawyer.
Jacobson attended the University of Southern California.[3] Jacobson later attended Southwestern Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor. While there, she served as the president of Southwestern’s Entertainment and Sports Law Society, the national student liaison to the ABA Forum Committee on Entertainment and Sports Industries Law, and the student liaison to Southwestern for the Beverly Hills Bar Association."[4] In 2020, Southwestern published an article that mentioned Jacobson as being one of their alumni attorneys who received the distinct honor of being on Billboard's Top Music Lawyers list.[5] After passing the California Bar Exam, she opened her own law practice in Beverly Hills, California,[6] [7] acting as CEO.[8]
Jacobson worked in the publicity department of Capitol Records, as director of promotions for AO Recordings. She worked for Rick Dees, helping him produce Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, the longest continuously running countdown (featuring pop music) in the world. She worked at Bug Music and other music publishing companies, as well as several music law firms.[9] [10]
She has handled music legal matters involving Elvis Presley, The Ronettes, Sam Cooke, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Prince, and others.[11] [12]
Jacobson was featured in the book Leaving the Building, by Eamonn Forde[13] about complex issues faced by estates of famous musicians, including that of Elvis Presley.[14] Forde remarks Jacobson's emphasis on the challenge of getting artists to plan estates.
In 2020, Jacobson published a book, Don't Get Screwed! How to Protect Yourself as an Independent Musician. She discusses copyright, royalties, and contracts.[15] She founded Indie Artist Resource (IAR), website providing contract templates and educational resources for independent musicians, stating her goal was to educate independent artists through the legal barriers that exist.[16] [17]
Billboard recognized her work on theme songs, holiday classics, amongst other music, as Jacobson voiced her concern for AI an its legal implications in her field.[18]
The Los Angeles Times recognizes her as an "attorney specializing in music industry intellectual property,"[19] taking part in negotiations between music artists and their labels or publichers, representing[20] award-winning musicians.[21]
She was featured in Music Business Worldwide's Inspiring Women interview series, chronicling her rise in the music business and thoughts on the music industry's most pressing issues.[22] In an article on the Women's International Music Network, Jacobson expressed her belief that some refuse to take advice from women and the need for women to work together in a predominantly male field.[23]
Jacobson was featured in an issue of Shoutout LA magazine where she expressed personal and business interests; Jacobson acknowledged the role of her mother in her success.
In 2017, Jacobson wrote a piece for Forbes on Spotify's conflict with the music industry.[24] [25]
Jacobson was named to Billboard magazine's Top Music Lawyers list for five consecutive years, from 2020 to 2024.[26] [27] [28] [29]