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Derek Crownover

Co-Office Administrative Partner, Nashville; Vice Chair, Music Industry

Overview

Derek Crownover is a recognized leader in the music, entertainment, sports and media industries, counseling publishing companies, independent record labels, singers and songwriters who own their copyrights, and music publishing administration companies on licensing, liability matters and related litigation. He also counsels clients on recording agreements, employment agreements, LLC funding deals, real estate deals, asset purchase agreements and trusts and estates matters. In addition to his work as a metaphorical “primary care physician” for his music, corporate and tech clients, Derek also advises several sports-related businesses and athletes.

With strong ties to the local Nashville community, Derek is national counsel for the T.J. Martell Foundation, pro bono counsel for the New Children First Montessori Community School and a former adjunct professor of entertainment law at the Curb Music Business School at Belmont University.

Education

  • University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D.
  • Auburn University, B.A.

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • Tennessee

Recognition

  • Named to the Nashville Business Journal's "Best of the Bar" list (2023)
  • Named among exceptional Media & Entertainment lawyers in Tennessee by BusinessToday.News (2023)
  • Named to the Nashville Post's In Charge: Music list (2022-2024)
  • Named to Billboard's Country Power Players list (2020-2022)
  • Named in The Legal 500 US in Media & Entertainment, published by Legalease Limited and John Pritchard (2020, 2022 and 2023)
  • Named "Sports & Entertainment Trailblazer" by The National Law Journal (2019)
  • Named one of Billboard’s "Top Music Lawyers" in the U.S. (2019-2024)
  • Named in Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business, in Tennessee Media & Entertainment (2019-2023)
  • Named "Best Lawyer in Entertainment Law," Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms (2009-2024)
  • Named "Mid South Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters (2007-2009, 2018-2019)

Affiliations

  • Entertainment and Sports Law Section, Nashville Bar Association
  • Corporate Section, Nashville Bar Association
  • Entertainment and Sports Law Section, Tennessee Bar Association
  • Voting Member, Country Music Association (1996-present)
  • Member, Copyright Society of the South