PRACTICE AREAS:
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Music
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Film, Television & Podcasts
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Copyright
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Trademarks
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Influencer, Sponsorships & Endorsements
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Consumer Goods & Brands
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Live Events
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Arts & Literary
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Settlements & Disputes
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Technology & Digital Media
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Employment
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Corporate & Finance
PROFESSIONAL HONORS:
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Billboard Top Music Lawyer
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Variety Power of Law Honoree
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Super Lawyers Top Lawyer
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New York Magazine Leading Lawyers
PUBLICATIONS:
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The Hollywood Reporter: "Lessons From Prince's Lawyer" by Jason Boyarski (also published in Billboard Magazine)
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Cardozo Alumni Newsletter: "The Fine Line: Legal Issues Surrounding The Procurement of Employment By Agents & Managers"
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Cardozo Law Review: "The Heist of Feist: Protection for Collections of Information and the Possible Federalization of 'Hot News'"
BAR ADMISSION
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New York State Bar
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District, NY
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U.S. District Court, Southern District, NY
JASON BOYARSKI is a founding partner of Boyarski Fritz LLP who has been named as one of America's Top 200 Lawyers by Forbes, a top entertainment lawyer by Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Super Lawyers and New York Magazine and cited as an industry expert by The New York Times, Time, and The Times of London. Jason's practice is well-rooted in dealmaking and covers many practice areas including music, film/television, technology, media, branding, intellectual property, licensing, employment and corporate. With past posts at some of the most distinguished names in entertainment, Jason's broad array of legal and business experience runs the gamut of many industries. Jason's innate ability to understand the thought-making process of creators while recognizing multi-industry trends in the marketplace, makes him a trusted and valuable advisor.
Jason's diverse and high-profile roster of clients have included: Grammy-winning and multi-platinum recording artists (including Prince, Marc Anthony, Earth Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, JVKE, Lil Kim, Meek Mill, Joan Jett, Paul Oakenfold, Redfoo from LMFAO, Towa Bird, Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway, Maddie Zahm, Wyclef Jean, Babyface, Jordy, Tamar Braxton, Nico & Vinz); music super-producers and songwriters (including Louis Bell, Cirkut, Tainy, Stargate, Hit-Boy, Fede Vindver, Pete Nappi, Claude Kelly); music publishing companies (including BMG, Disney Music, Arcade, Reach Music); record labels and distributors (including Create Music Group, Venice); management companies (including Electric Feel, NEON16, The Revels Group, Vol. 1); influencers and celebrity personalities (including Jake Paul, Zach Sang, Stanley T, Ryan Sampson); podcast, film and television companies (including AudioUp, FilmNation); retailers and consumer brands (including Hyatt Hotels, ASICS, Facebook, Rumble, Alice+Olivia); apps and websites (including Musixmatch, Yokee); live event companies (including AEG, Ultimate Rap League); entertainment industry executives; authors; marketing agencies; and many more.
Prior to launching Boyarski Fritz LLP, Jason served as the Senior Vice President & GM for Warner/Chappell Music from 2008 to 2011. There, he oversaw the U.S. company’s East Coast operations and was instrumental in executing a broad array of the company’s core business, including the procurement of new artist and songwriter signings, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and film and television projects. Jason played a key role with high-profile talent including Paramore, Katy Perry, Wale, Green Day, Claude Kelly, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Van Halen, Gucci Mane and Michael Bublé. Jason also oversaw the company’s marketing and branding strategies and initiated various new media arrangements and licenses in traditional and non-traditional formats. While at Warner, Jason was also a co-founder of the marketing agency HeadOverHeels Collective which provided marketing services to companies in the entertainment and consumer industries.
From 2002 to 2008, Jason held various posts at Universal Music Publishing Group, which included over six years at BMG Music Publishing before being acquired by Universal. In his most recent position as Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, Jason served as a key business and legal executive for all facets of the company’s business affairs, including the company’s publishing catalogs and production music divisions. Jason was instrumental in negotiating deals with high profile talent including Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Wu Tang Clan, Ben Folds, Joan Jett, Hall & Oats, Slayer, Ne-Yo, Britney Spears, Shania Twain, Pitbull, Macy Gray, Nas and Linkin Park. Jason also oversaw the trademark strategies relating to the company’s brands and served as a member of the company’s New Media Committee where he developed emerging technology strategies.
Prior to joining Universal, Jason was as an Associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, with a general focus in intellectual property law and music licensing. While at Weil, Jason represented various broadcasters and webcasters, including MTV and CBS, in rate-setting proceedings for new royalty rates for the streaming of sound recordings. Jason also represented the Radio Music Licensing Committee in obtaining new public performance royalty rates with BMI. Lastly, Jason negotiated an array of web-based license agreements for a wide range of clients.
Before Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Jason served as a clerk in the music division at Epstein, Levinsohn, Bodine, Hurwitz & Weinstein, LLP. Prior to entering law school, Jason served in the Promotions Department at Epic Records/550 Music. Jason began his career in 1996 as a Production Assistant at NBC’s “Today Show”.
Jason received his Juris Doctor in 2000 from the Cardozo School of Law, where he graduated cum laude with a concentration in Intellectual Property Law and was inducted into the Order of the Coif as member of the top 10% of his graduating class. While attending Cardozo, Jason served as the Administrative Editor of the Cardozo Law Review, was awarded the H. Bert & Ruth Mack Scholarship, and served as the Panels Chair of the Entertainment Law Society. The Cardozo Law Review published Jason's note entitled The Heist of Feist: Protection for Collections of Information and the Possible Federalization of “Hot News” (21 CARDOZO L. REV 871), which went on to receive First Place honors in the International Intellectual Property Writing Competition.
Jason received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University. While at Emory, Jason was a college rep and intern for Sony Music Entertainment.
Jason is currently a member of the New York State Bar, First Department and is also admitted to the U.S, District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Jason currently resides in Brookville, New York.