BRETT D. SMITH, ESQ.
Brett Smith specializes in working with creative professionals, inventors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups. He is a patient and experienced counselor in the areas of business law, intellectual property, media and technology, contract negotiation, licensing and litigation.
Brett is also a seasoned musician, producer, composer, and performer. He has written and produced music that has been licensed for film, cable, and prime-time network television. Through his experience as a creator, Brett intuitively understands the unique challenges and concerns associated with your creative business.
Brett began his career in New York City in the royalty distribution departments of the Harry Fox Agency and Zomba Music Corporation. Prior to starting his own firm, Brett worked in the legal departments of RCA, Viacom, Razor and Tie, and at a boutique entertainment law firm where he counseled performer, publisher, songwriter, producer and record label clients on copyright issues and intellectual property-related transactions. Brett also serves as head of intellectual property for a technology company where he has led the company through patent infringement lawsuits against technology giants including Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Netflix.
Brett received an undergraduate degree in Music from Binghamton University and a J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in New York.
Brett also serves as President of the Board of Trustees for both Cultural Media Collaborative, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization and James F. Haefele Memorial Scholarship Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation awarding scholarships to deserving music students.
