Julie Rappaport Smith
Counsel, Corporate & Financial Services
A widely-respected music industry veteran, Jules’ practice encompasses virtually every type of music agreement, including: recording, distribution and publishing, joint venture label and partnership, touring and live performance, producer, employment and guest artist, and sponsorship, endorsement and merchandising agreements. Jules also manages audit disputes and other pre-litigation matters, and represents parties in connection with music catalog transactions.
Experience
Prior to joining Willkie, Jules spent 20 years in various business and legal capacities with notable tenures at Sony Music Entertainment (Columbia Records and Epic Records), Warner Music Group (Alterative Distribution Alliance, Arts Music, Asylum Records and Ghostlight Records) and Ultra Music.
As General Counsel and Senior Vice President at Ultra Music (the electronic/dance record label, publishing house, management company and media platform), Jules partnered with Ultra’s founder and CEO and oversaw all business and legal affairs functions for the company’s enterprises, including by signing recording artists to Ultra Music, and exclusively licensing foreign record chart toppers for U.S. marketing and distribution. Separately, Jules managed the worldwide joint venture between Ultra Music and Sony Music Entertainment and leveraged her professional relationships and Sony’s resources to promote and market Ultra Music’s recording artists and songwriters globally.
At Warner Music Group, Jules served as Senior Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs where she led business and legal operations for four different divisions. Jules drafted, negotiated and managed the execution of various transactions including, pressing and distribution deals, and soundtrack, joint venture, recording (royalty and profit share deals), and non-disclosure agreements. She also oversaw a team that negotiated and signed independent labels and artists to global distribution and recording deals.
As a Vice President at Sony Music Entertainment, Jules oversaw all business and legal affairs issues for Columbia Records and Epic Records. She structured and handled execution of recording agreements, renewals, and amendments for developing artists and superstars, including by opining on financial deal analyses. She also managed ongoing contractual relationships with talent, rendered general business and legal advice to all departments (including with respect to A&R, marketing and merchandising) and advised on intellectual property-related legal issues.
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D., 2001 University of Pennsylvania, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1997