Matthew Beckett is a Nashville-based entertainment attorney whose work is shaped by decades of experience in the music industry. Before practicing law, Matthew owned an award-winning publishing company, worked as a recording engineer on Grammy-nominated projects, and gained firsthand experience with the creative, business, and operational sides of the industry. That background gives him a practical understanding of how industry transactions function in the real world, not just on paper. Since 2007, he has represented songwriters, artists, publishers, labels, producers, managers, executives, and other entertainment clients in negotiations, rights management, licensing, and catalog transactions. His practice combines industry fluency with precise, business-minded legal counsel.

Practice Focus

• Drafting and negotiating agreements for all facets of the music industry, including, music publishing, copyright administration, recording artists, producers, distribution, management, endorsements and sponsorships, artist development and acquisitions.
• Advising publishers, labels, artists, songwriters, producers, managers, and executives on rights ownership, royalty structures, catalog sales, licensing, copyright and trademark matters, and industry customs.

Organizations

• Member, Tennessee Bar Association and Nashville Bar Association.
• Voting member, Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music.
• Served on Criteria Task Force, Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Previous Engagements

• Adjunct Professor, Copyright Law, Belmont University.
• Producer, moderator, and speaker for CLE programs on entertainment law, copyright terminations, technology, and independent artist entrepreneurship.