MUSIC LAW | MUSIC BUSINESS | GUEST LECTURING | SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
ABOUT RYAN
Ryan Schmidt is a singer/songwriter turned music lawyer dedicated to protecting the rights of musicians and empowering creative professionals to succeed. With a career spanning both the stage and the courtroom, Ryan brings unparalleled insight to the challenges artists face. His law practice focuses on negotiating artist-friendly deals, resolving copyright disputes, maximizing music royalties, navigating ethical generative AI, and supporting small businesses in the entertainment industry.
As a touring singer/songwriter, Ryan was featured on NBC’s The Voice and earned accolades like “Critics’ Choice” at the Starbucks Music Makers Competition. These achievements came alongside firsthand experiences of the cutthroat nature of the industry, where restrictive contracts often stifle creativity. Determined to level the playing field for fellow artists, Ryan answered the call to become a music lawyer.
Ryan graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University College of Law, ranking at the top of his class while serving as an Executive Officer for the Belmont Law Review. Before joining the Georgia Bar, he clerked for a Nashville firm specializing in music, fine arts, and digital media, further cementing his expertise.
Today, Ryan represents clients across the country, from up-and-coming artists to industry icons. His work includes high-profile cases like complex copyright litigation involving a certified Multi-Platinum global hit and negotiating a groundbreaking catalog sale for a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. Whether you need a record deal reviewed, a publishing agreement negotiated, or a management contract redlined, Ryan’s dual perspective as an artist and lawyer makes him the advocate you want in your corner.
For Ryan, championing entertainment professionals isn’t just a career—it’s a mission. He believes every artist deserves to understand their rights, protect their art, and build a sustainable career on their own terms. Through his law practice, educational resources, and online content, Ryan is redefining what it means to advocate for creatives.
Education:
Belmont University College of Law, JD (2018), summa cum laude
Northeastern University, BS in Music Business (2012)
Bar admissions:
Georgia (state and federal)
Associations: The Recording Academy (GRAMMY Awards), Atlanta Chapter; Georgia Music Partners
Email: hello@ryanschmidt.esq