Introduction
Please join us for the third annual Vanderbilt Music Law Summit on Monday, March 30 at Vanderbilt Law School. This year’s summit will bring together a stellar lineup of experts from industry, academia, government and more to discuss the legal music landscape.
Summit Programming
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:15 am | Coffee and Casual Breakfast Presented by NMPA |
| 9:00 am | Keynote Interview The Honorable John Squires, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, interviewed by Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO, Recording Industry Association of America |
| 9:45 am | Presentation: Consumer Demand for AI Music Will Page, Founder, Pivotal Economics |
| 10:15 am | Coffee Break |
| 10:30 am | Panel 1: Live Music: Promotion, Ticketing, and Venues Moderator: Professor Suzanne Kessler, Vanderbilt Law School Panelists: • Kevin Erickson, Director, Future of Music Coalition • TBD • Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association • Peter DiCola, Professor of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 pm | Panel 2: Race to the Future: The Developing Licensed AI Music Marketplace Moderator: Professor Joe Fishman, Vanderbilt Law School Panelists: • Chris Horton, EVP, Strategic Technology, Universal Music Group • Thomas Hesse, Co-Founder, KLAY Vision • Lina Heyman, Acting CEO, STIM (Sweden) • Victoria Oakley, CEO, IFPI • Bob Brauneis, Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School |
| 2:30 pm | Coffee Break |
| 2:45 pm | Keynote Interview Tift Merritt, Grammy Nominee for Best Country Album, Board Member, Artist Rights Alliance, and Practitioner-in-Residence, Franklin Humanities Institute, Duke University. Interviewed by Professor Dan Hoffman, Professor of the Practice, Sanford School of Public Policy, and Interim Director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society |
| 4:00 pm | Recording Academy Entertainment Law Initiative Contest Presentation Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy Officer, Recording Academy Student Winner, ELI Writing Contest |
| 4:15 pm | Closing Reception (sponsored by the Recording Academy Entertainment Law Initiative) |
Faculty Advisors
Book Your Stay!
The 2026 Vanderbilt Music Law Summit has set up a hotel block at the Aertson - directly across the street from the Law School.
The link to secure your reservation will be available soon.
Parking
Parking on and around campus is limited. Attendees who are able to use alternative transportation such as rideshare or walking are encouraged to do so. The address for rideshare is 131 21st Ave. S. Nashville, TN
The closest paid parking is available at the Aertson complex on 21st Ave S., across from the law school. Paid campus parking is available in Lot 8 and the Wesley Place Garage. Payment using ParkMobile. A campus parking map is available here.
Visiting Music City
There's plenty to do while you're visiting in Music City! Click the links below to learn more about each attraction.
Music City Attractions
Advisory Committee
- Ken Abdo, Fox Rothschild LLC
- Danielle Aguirre, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA)
- Glen Barros, Exceleration Music
- Jason Boyarsky, Boyarsky Fritz LLP
- Todd Dupler, Recording Academy
- Kirsten Donaldson, National Association of Broadcasters
- Ken Doroshow, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
- Mitch Glazier, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
- Bart Herbison, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)
- David Israelite, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA)
- Gadi Oron, International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)
- Colin Rushing, Digital Media Association (DIMA)
- Jennifer Turnbow, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)
Sponsorship
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2026 Music City Law Summit, click the button below or contact Clay Cline.