(Chicago) – Akin announced today that Rory Wellever has joined the Chicago office as head of its music practice, bringing deep music industry experience that expands the firm’s media, entertainment & sports practice and strengthens its leadership in corporate and finance transactions across the music market.
Rory practices at the intersection of intellectual property, media & entertainment, technology and commercial transactions. He advises clients on music rights and royalties and represents sponsor clients, publishers and record labels as well as songwriters and performing artists in various types of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), outsourcing, business-to-business and business-to-consumer licensing, joint development and data privacy. With a background in the entertainment industry, Rory counsels clients and industry stakeholders on matters involving new and emerging media, entertainment and publishing matters, including music, film, television, literature, marketing and advertising.
“Rory’s arrival is a significant step in the continued evolution of our market-leading media, entertainment & sports practice,” said Akin co-chair Abid Qureshi. “His deep knowledge of music‑industry transactions further expands our established strengths and offers clients a comprehensive platform across a wide range of media asset classes while reaching new client profiles.”
“Rory is an all-star in the music industry, having advised on top-tier matters related to the music and entertainment sector and represented sponsor clients, publishers and record labels as well as songwriters and performing artists,” said Chris Spicer, head of the firm’s media, entertainment & sports practice. “Rory’s background will play a key role in broadening our offering and deepening our reach across the music sector. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
“Akin’s sophisticated platform leverages global reach and an extensive client-base with a clear commitment to expanding in the music and entertainment space,” said Rory on his move to the firm. “The firm offers the scale, talent and strategic vision needed to build a premier music practice alongside a best‑in‑class media, entertainment & sports team, and I look forward to providing my clients with the full scope of Akin’s capabilities.”
Rory’s arrival follows a series of recent additions to the Chicago office, including investment management partner and partner-in-charge of the Chicago office Wendy Dodson Gallegos, infrastructure M&A partners Jason Wagenmaker and Joshua La Vigne, investment management partner Jessica Pan and tax partner Chis Odell.
Rory joins Akin from Kirkland & Ellis where he was a partner.
About Akin’s Corporate Practice
Our market-leading corporate & finance lawyers work with clients to structure and execute complex transactions and devise creative debt and equity capital solutions around the world. Our team of 300+ transactional lawyers, in major financial centers on three continents, works across borders, industries and the capital structure.
We provide counsel to alternative capital providers, including private equity, private credit, infrastructure, sovereign wealth and other investment funds, public and private companies, boards of directors and family offices, in connection with mergers and acquisitions (M&A), special situations and other investments, debt financings and capital markets transactions, projects & energy transactions and corporate governance matters worldwide.
About Akin’s Media, Entertainment & Sports Practice
Akin lawyers & advisors leverage decades of experience representing capital providers, financiers and other companies operating in the media, entertainment & sports industries. We provide guidance in transactions and tax structuring, restructurings and distressed situations, private credit transactions, media distribution agreements, sports betting, labor & employment, litigation, policy and regulation. We focus on film, television, digital media, music, sports and gaming—providing legal and strategic advice on a wide range of domestic and international issues.
Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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