You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. Below are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.
SERVICES
What is entertainment law?
Entertainment law is a form of law that specializes in providing legal services to the entertainment industry and often overlaps with intellectual property law (copyright and trademark). At the Seay Firm, we work with musicians, producers, record labels, filmmakers, and artists. Put differently, we are small business lawyers but all of our small businesses are artists or arts-related companies.
What kind of services does the Seay Firm offer?
The Seay Firm works in five practice areas: Music Law, TV & Film Law, Miscellaneous Entertainment Law, Copyright & Trademarks, and Small Business Services. Typical legal services we offer include drafting or reviewing brand agreements, record deals, license agreements, producer and mixer agreements, management or performance agreements, crew, actor, talent, production, producer and location agreements, film clip licenses and music clearance agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and on-camera and depiction releases. We also file and enforce copyrights and trademarks and respond to and send cease and desist letters, among many other transactional and talent acquisition services.
Still not sure if we can help you? Reach out to see how we can help you with your entertainment law needs.
Do you offer other services besides entertainment law?
The Seay Firm practices 100% entertainment law, although we may be able to help you with your small business needs. Feel free to contact us to see if we can help.
What types of contracts can the Seay Firm help with?
We specialize in all types of contracts and agreements within the entertainment industry. We are able to review and edit existing contracts or draft new contracts, depending on your needs. Below are typical contracts and agreements that the Seay Firm regularly handles. However, this list is by no means extensive. Please reach out with any contract needs.
- Band agreements
- Record deals
- License agreements
- Producer and mixer agreements
- Management agreements
- Performance agreements
- Crew, actor, and talent agreements
- Production, producer, and location agreements
- On-camera and depiction releases
- Film clip licenses and music clearances
- Non-disclosure agreements
- Option and purchase agreements (for literary properties)
- Television host and talent agreements
Who does your firm represent?
The Seay Firm works with artists and musicians in Atlanta and throughout the United States. You can check out our sample list of some of our clients on our client page.
Will you “shop” my record/film/screenplay to potential buyers?
This is not a service the that The Seay Firm offers. However, we make every effort to connect our active clients to opportunities. Our industry connections are part of how we deliver value to our clients.
Will you check out my work and let me know what you think?
If you decide to seek legal services from The Seay Firm then yes, we’d be happy to check out your work. In fact, we encourage clients to keep us posted on what they’re working on. However, we try to stick to legal services, so we’ll keep our opinions to ourselves.
Can you help me with a breach of contract issue?
We do not typically take on new clients for the primary purpose of handling a dispute.
Can you file a lawsuit for me?
We are not litigators. We sometimes can assist in a pre-lawsuit negotiations for existing clients, but we don’t typically take on new clients for the primary purpose of handling a dispute.
WHO IS JOHN SEAY?
What is your background in?
I spent over 10 years as a musician, tour manager, and writer before going to law school specifically to focus on entertainment law.
Why did you get into entertainment law?
I’m a lifelong music fan. I get along best with artists. As an artist myself, I like to think I speak the language. Working in entertainment law allows me to stay involved in the entertainment industry and connect with artists.
How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
As mentioned above, I spent over 10 years as a musician, tour manager, and writer before going to law school to focus on entertainment law. I still love to play music and I write on the subject of music and entertainment law whenever I can. I opened the Seay Firm in 2011 and have been practicing law since 2010.
Are you from Atlanta?
No, I’m not from Atlanta. I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and moved to Atlanta in 2010, after graduating with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law.
How long have you lived in Atlanta?
I have lived in Atlanta since 2010. I live in Decatur with my wife and two kids.
CONTACT
What is the best way to contact the Seay Firm?
The best way to get in touch is to reach out to us on our Contact Us page. Inquiries go straight to John and we’ll respond within 1 business day.
Is my call/email to you confidential, even if I don’t hire you?
Yes, your call/email will always be confidential, even if you don’t hire us. We will never share or disclose any information from our communications.
How can I refer the Seay Firm to a friend?
We love referrals! Feel free to send anyone who might benefit from our services to our Contact Us page or pass along our direct contact information if you have it.
CONNECTING
Does the Seay Firm offer internships or jobs?
The Seay Firm is not currently hiring or accepting interns but we’re always happy to talk to those interested in entertainment law. If you’d like to set up a time to chat, then reach out to us on our website.
Is John Seay available to speak with our class about your career?
Yes! John is always happy to speak to students about anything involving entertainment law or his business. Contact us to set something up.
Does John Seay Speak at events?
Yes! John would love to speak at your next event. To book John for your upcoming event please contact us to confirm availability.
How can I stay up-to-date on what the Seay Firm is doing?
We’d love for you to stay in touch. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn. You can also sign up for our bi-annual newsletter!
Does John Seay have any published work?
Yes, John has written extensively on the topic of music and entertainment in publications such as the Birmingham Weekly, Creative Loafing, Flagpole Magazine, and Birmingham Magazine. In 2016, he wrote a limited 6-week long weekly series entitled “Paid in Full” for Immersive ATL, to help educate local musicians about the music industry. You can also see some of his publications on our About Us page. John has also published in DJ Booth and Watt, among many other online publications.
How can I learn more without committing to hiring an attorney?
We have a whole list of resources that you can check out prior to reaching out.
COSTS
How much do your services cost?
Contact us to discuss.
Do you offer flat fees?
Yes, we do offer flat fees for some of our services. We will let you know if the pricing structure for our services is hourly or a set flat fee.
Do I have to pay in advance?
We ask for advance payment on a case-by-case basis. We will always let you know if payment is due in advance.
Does your firm offer payment plans?
For some instances, we do offer payment plans, but not always. This will depend on the legal services we are providing and the clients’ needs.
How do I pay my invoice?
The Seay Firm uses a platform called MyCase for invoicing and client files. Clients will receive a unique MyCase login, which will allow you to access your invoices.
The Seay Firm is located at 750 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. Call (404) 856-6721 or contact us to schedule an appointment.