Barnes & Thornburg Continues Entertainment Practice Growth In Atlanta

Barnes & Thornburg has added entertainment lawyer Will Lewis as of counsel in the Atlanta office. Lewis joins the firm’s Entertainment, Media and Sports Practice Group, which added Atlanta partner Andrew Velcoff in June.

Both a litigator and transactional lawyer, Lewis advises on sophisticated music and film contract negotiations and counsels clients across the entertainment and music industry, including performing artists, writers, managers, producers, video and concert production companies, music venues, film production companies, and other commercial entities.

“With over 25 years of experience and an established private practice, Will has a deep knowledge of all the complex transactional issues that our entertainment clients face in Georgia and across the country,” said Jason Karlov, chair of the firm’s Entertainment, Media and Sports Practice Group. “Will brings a thoughtful approach and a passion for the music and film industry, making him a dedicated partner to our clients in the sector.”

Lewis also spent time in-house as chief legal officer for a 15,000-employee transportation company and its subsidiaries, where he oversaw multimillion-dollar acquisitions and negotiated significant commercial agreements and disputes, among other notable transactions. In addition to his legal practice, for eight years Lewis was an adjunct professor of entertainment law at The College of Charleston.

“Georgia has seen record spending on film production this year, and Will is well-prepared to help clients meet the growing demand from that increase in production,” said John T.L. Koenig, managing partner of the Atlanta office. “As the entertainment industry continues to expand, we are thrilled to grow our practice along with it.”

Lewis earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law and his B.A. from the University of South Carolina, cum laude.