April 22, 2025
Willkie partners Alex Weingarten, Michael Gottlieb and Shane Nix have been named to Billboard’s “2025 Top Music Lawyers,” an annual list recognizing the music industry’s leading dealmakers, advisors and litigators.
They were recognized for their success in cutting-edge transactions and high-profile disputes at the forefront of the music industry. Billboard highlighted Willkie’s representation of Drake in the closely watched defamation case against Universal Music Group as well as the firm’s role leading a number of music catalog deals, company acquisitions and joint ventures. The publication also noted the group’s recent work for clients including Selena Gomez, Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung, and Create Music Group.
Alex Weingarten is Managing Partner of Willkie’s Los Angeles office and Chair of the firm’s Entertainment Litigation Practice. One of the entertainment industry’s top trial lawyers, Alex has been recognized by Billboard every year since 2018.
Michael Gottlieb is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading litigators. He has extensive experience in complex litigation at the trial and appellate level, government investigations and enforcement actions, and high-profile disputes. Michael is Chair of Willkie’s Crisis Management Group, and Co-Chair of the Media & First Amendment Practice Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Practice Group.
Shane Nix is a leading tax attorney focused entertainment industry transactions. He counsels a wide array of clients including songwriters, recording artists, record labels, actors, producers, directors, athletes, and other celebrities on the tax aspects of complex business transactions. This is the fourth year in a row that Shane has been named to Billboard’s “Top Music Lawyers.”
View Billboard’s “2025 Top Music Lawyers” report here (subscription required).
They were recognized for their success in cutting-edge transactions and high-profile disputes at the forefront of the music industry. Billboard highlighted Willkie’s representation of Drake in the closely watched defamation case against Universal Music Group as well as the firm’s role leading a number of music catalog deals, company acquisitions and joint ventures. The publication also noted the group’s recent work for clients including Selena Gomez, Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung, and Create Music Group.
Alex Weingarten is Managing Partner of Willkie’s Los Angeles office and Chair of the firm’s Entertainment Litigation Practice. One of the entertainment industry’s top trial lawyers, Alex has been recognized by Billboard every year since 2018.
Michael Gottlieb is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading litigators. He has extensive experience in complex litigation at the trial and appellate level, government investigations and enforcement actions, and high-profile disputes. Michael is Chair of Willkie’s Crisis Management Group, and Co-Chair of the Media & First Amendment Practice Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Practice Group.
Shane Nix is a leading tax attorney focused entertainment industry transactions. He counsels a wide array of clients including songwriters, recording artists, record labels, actors, producers, directors, athletes, and other celebrities on the tax aspects of complex business transactions. This is the fourth year in a row that Shane has been named to Billboard’s “Top Music Lawyers.”
View Billboard’s “2025 Top Music Lawyers” report here (subscription required).
