Our Warriors
Practice Areas:
Advisory. Intellectual Property. Transactions.
Client Sectors:
Technology. Gaming & Interactive Entertainment. Media & Filmed Entertainment. Music Industry & Recording Arts.
Gary Stiffelman is a partner at FROST LLP. Over a 45-year career, Stiffelman has represented some of the most important recording artists, songwriters, and producers of our time: Prince, Lady Gaga, Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Scott Weiland, Eminem, Toni Braxton, Justin Timberlake, George Clinton, Hans Zimmer, and Yo-Yo Ma. He has also represented cultural and business leaders such as touring comedian, writer, and showrunner Whitney Cummings, powerhouse creators Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Girlboss author and entrepreneur Sophia Amoruso, and former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. He has played a leading role in IP, catalogue, and label sales and acquisitions that have changed the face of the music industry.
Stiffelman’s practice at FROST LLP focuses on providing comprehensive legal advisory services for up-and-coming and elite artists, individual entrepreneurs, and entertainment-focused corporate clients. Drawing on his decades of experience advising leading artists and record labels on deals, legal liability, M&A and catalogue sales, and business opportunities in technology and merchandising, he takes a whole-of-career approach in his work with clients and maintains long-term professional relationships with those clients.
Stiffelman has assisted clients in industry-transforming catalogue sales and label acquisitions. Alongside John Branca, he represented Michael Jackson in the purchase of the Beatles catalogue (Northern Songs). They also worked together on the deal to sell Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures for $61 million in 1988.
In his own practice, Stiffelman has advised legendary clients on a variety of career-expanding moves. He represented Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the former on projects including the creation of the songs for The Lion King. He served as co-counsel on the first global tour deal for the Rolling Stones and their Steel Wheels tour. Stiffelman also represented Robbie Robertson in the sale of his publishing and recorded music interests, Giorgio Moroder on the sale of his interests as a music producer, and Murder, Inc. founder Irv Gotti in the sale of his interests in the label. Stiffelman is also known for his role as counsel in forming Death Row Records.
Stiffelman has advised notable artists on entrepreneurial projects that have impacted the intersection of music and technology. Within the music industry’s recent history, he has been vocal on issues concerning digital media, digital distribution, and streaming services. He also advised tech companies, including MP3.com.
A recognized leader in entertainment law, Stiffelman previously practiced at Ziffren Brittenham and at Greenberg Traurig. He was named to The Hollywood Reporter list of Power Lawyers numerous times between 2007 and 2014. Actively engaged in community philanthropy and education, he is a former president and current active member of City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry Group. He has served on the Board of Councilors of the USC Thornton School of Music and spent seven years teaching entertainment law at the UCLA School of Law, a role he still takes on from time to time. He was a founding director of the Private Bank of California until it was acquired by the Banc of California.
Stiffelman holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas, a Master of Fine Arts in film from the University of Southern California, and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is licensed to practice law in California.
Stiffelman and his wife Carmen are the proud parents of two adult children. Outside of the office, when not spending time with his family, Stiffelman is an avid gamer and memorabilia collector.