WHO’S WHO IN LAW – L. LEE PHILLIPS

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L. LEE PHILLIPS

Firm: Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP

Law School: Cornell University

Selected Clients: Barbra Streisand, the Eagles, Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Brian Wilson, Carly Simon, Kenny Loggins, Paul Anka, Burt Bacharach, Tracy Chapman, Randy Jackson, Jeff Barry, Steve Perry, Fran Drescher.

Years in Practice: 51

Most Challenging Matters: From a litigation standpoint, the Brian Wilson litigation involving Mike Love, which finally, after years and years, was amicably settled. As to deals, the many renegotiations of Barbra Streisand’s contracts with CBS Records first and Sony Music over many years.

Best Career Moments: When artists publicly thank me – at the Grammys, for example. Also, being honored by the City of Hope after serving as president of its music chapter.

Worst: The rare times I have gotten into disputes with clients. Thankfully, these have been few and far between, as my clients are loyal and appreciative.

Highlight From Past Year: Settlement of the difficult Love v. Wilson litigations.

Longest Workday: That would be way back, when I was a much less experienced lawyer. Negotiations would go on and on for days. Now, I get to the finish line faster.

How My Practice Is Changing: The e-mails are at 150 a day. Negotiations are often by computer with exchanges of e-mails serving often as agreements. My typing skills have soared to 140 words a minute if not more. Without typing class in junior high school, practicing law today would be almost impossible! But I still have to read contracts and think and analyze, that is the same.

If I Weren’t an Attorney: I would likely be a poorly paid musician.

My Colleagues Don’t Know: That I studied music as a kid, went to the High School of Music & Art in New York, marched around snow-filled football stadiums with the Cornell Marching Band during football season with my clarinet freezing, and realized that it was better to read a music contract then play music badly.

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