Music Executives from Universal Music Group Speak to Cardozo’s Entertainment Law Society
On Thursday, August 21, 2025, Cardozo’s Entertainment Law Society hosted a panel discussion with Jermaine “Maine” Maxwell (A&R at Def Jam, Universal Music Group), Shaniqua “Haarlem” Branch (VP of A&R at Republic Records, Universal Music Group), Trevor Casson (Senior Director Business & Legal Affairs at Universal Music Group for the East Coast labels), and Rachel Landy (Cardozo Professor with over a decade of experience in the music industry). The panel was moderated by Brennan Gerspach (Entertainment Law Society Music Co-Chair, Class of 2027). The event was promoted to students as, “From Studio to Statute: Navigating Creativity, Innovation, and Law in the Music Industry.”
As A&R executives focused on scouting new talent and closing deals, Maine and Haarlem work closely with both the in-house Business & Legal Affairs department and artists’ personal representatives. Maine shared with students that a “good music attorney is someone who is both reliable and someone willing to teach you things as you go.” Haarlem echoed this and added that having an attorney who is a creative dealmaker is crucial in this industry.
Haarlem and Maine also discussed the complex process of clearing music in hip-hop, where sampling is especially common. Trevor then explained the difference between a sample and a remix, noting that each carry very different legal implications.
Professor Landy and Trevor addressed the ever-evolving business side of the music industry, particularly as more artists fight to maintain ownership of their masters. This trend has raised concerns for labels that rely on building strong music catalogs, which may become harder to maintain if artist deals are based on licensure instead of full copyright ownership. Professor Landy broke down what each type of deal looks like under the Copyright Act and outlined the legal implications for both sides.
Both legal professionals emphasized the importance of building and maintaining a strong network within the industry as a foundation for a successful career. They also echoed the same sentiment shared by Maine and Haarlem, that students must have some level of creativity to be successful in this industry and must be comfortable educating their clients. Professor Landy summed it up well by sharing that, “your clients are looking to you to let them know what they are signing up for by translating legal language for them.” This goes for both working with other industry professionals, like A&R, as well as working directly with Artists.
During the Q&A portion of the discussion, students were curious about learning more about how attorneys can effectively protect the label without disturbing the creative process. Students were also interested in learning more about Maine and Haarlem’s individual processes for scouting new talent. Both shared that they rely heavily on fostering connections at studios and live performances. They also stay up to date on social media trends and how artists are trending on various DSPs (Digital Service Provider).
Students walked away with a deeper understanding of the many ways that attorneys collaborate with a wide range of industry professionals.
Ansley Henderson is a Second Year Law Student at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a Staff Editor at the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal. Ansley is interested in pursuing a career in the music industry, with particular interest in Copyright and Intellectual Property. Ansley is the Entertainment Co-Chair for the Intellectual Property Law Society at Cardozo and is also a member of the New York chapter of Grammy U. Ansley enjoys attending concerts and discovering new talent.
