LAWYER

PROFESSOR

AUTHOR

    ***

MEDIA

ADVICE

VALUES

ABOUT

Mark H. Maxwell is an entertainment lawyer and music business veteran with over three decades of experience. Throughout his career, he has been committed to counseling and connecting creatives who shape culture. Mark is unique in the entertainment law world. He is a passionate advocate and lover of the arts, music and film. He is dependable and easy to trust. As a former record label executive, his approach to legal counsel and deal-making is informed by his eleven years serving recording artists as an avant-garde A&R director and marketing innovator. As a solo law practitioner, he is able to selectively curate clients; offer flexible and generous pricing; and provide clients with individualized care, focused attention and efficient results. As a follower of Christ, Mark has a recognized history of integrity, excellence and professional service to the creative community that is marked by his personal humility and impeccable ethics.

Mark’s passion for music began as a high school student managing the “records and tapes” department of a national retailer and later performing as a free-form morning DJ personality at his college radio station. He entered the music industry as National Director of Radio Promotions for Word Records where he implemented the campaign for several gold and platinum-selling records including Amy Grant's multi-platinum album, Unguarded - her first general market release with A&M Records. At age 25, Mark was promoted by Word to become the youngest “A&R” executive in his industry where he served as Executive Producer on numerous albums and videos of “Christian Music” legends while discovering, signing and creatively developing the record label’s debut hard rock, dance, punk, new wave, alternative and hip-hop bands - many of whom received Grammy, Billboard and Dove awards and nominations. He also solicited and acquired Word’s distribution and marketing agreement launching TobyMac's Gotee Records and Johnny Cash's recorded performance on a punk rock album.

As an entertainment attorney, Mark represents a diverse roster of celebrities, record labels, music publishers, artists, bands, worship leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, songwriters, artist managers, record producers, churches, technology companies and entertainment executives concerning their intellectual property, business affairs and creative assets. He discovered and solicited the debut recording agreement for multi-platinum artist, MercyMe and their award-winning, cross-over radio single, "I Can Only Imagine" - #5 on the pop radio charts and the first and only Christian single to sell platinum – and now at over 2 million digital downloads. He is an expert at solving complex and sophisticated legal and business issues relating to contracts, copyrights and trademarks. With his background in both the law and the music business, he brings a broad perspective to problem-solving and business plan strategies. He also has an extraordinary ability to speak to the hearts of creatives while helping them discover their voice and clarify their creative dreams and assignments.

As a professor, Mark recently completed his twelfth year teaching in Belmont University’s prestigious music business and songwriting program, the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. His role as a professor has been a natural extension of his core value to mentor the next generation of creatives and business professionals by instilling moral purpose, passionate creativity, independent thinking and risk-taking in and outside the classroom.

As an author, Mark recently completed his first book, Networking Kills: Success Through Serving.

Mark is family-oriented and committed to Christian community. He has been married to professional makeup artist and stylist, Carol Maxwell, for 36 years. His personal interests include attending the annual Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival and other concerts, Bible study, rock music history, Dylanology, hiking, vinyl record collecting, independent and classic films, organizing songwriter house shows, ethnic food and fitness.

EDUCATION

REGENT UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW / Virginia Beach, Virginia, 1998
Juris Doctor

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY—HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / Waco, Texas
Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing and Broadcasting

BOARDS, MEMBERSHIPS & EVENTS (Past and Present)

Board Member & General Counsel, Gospel Music Association
Board Member, Way-FM Media Group, Inc. and Hope Media Group
Board Member, Hope For Justice International
Voting Member, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Member, Nashville Bar Association
Member, Americana Music Association
Member, Nashville Film Festival
Talent Judge at Belmont University, music industry showcases, events and festivals
Guest Lecturer at Vanderbilt University School of Law, Regent University School of Law, Middle Tennessee State University, Gospel Music Association’s Immerse conference and others

For speaking inquiries, please contact: Premiere Speaker's Bureau