Jordan Bromley
Jordan Bromley leads Manatt Entertainment and the firm’s entertainment transactions and finance practice. Jordan is highly sought after as an entertainment advisor who is consistently on the pulse of the latest market trends, and he is driving impactful advocacy efforts for industry creators. Jordan has been recognized by Billboard as one of “Music’s Most Powerful Attorneys” and by Chambers USA as one of the country’s foremost transactional lawyers in the entertainment industry. In feedback to Chambers, clients have lauded him as “the best there is. Period.”
Recognizing that creators are no longer limited to the studio but instead are often CEOs of a global licensing regime, brand ambassadors and global strategists, Jordan emphasizes that his responsibility is to support and protect their activities in all countries and mediums, including on various tech-enabled platforms and metaverses proliferating in the Web3 era. This includes structuring global distribution networks and tours, ensuring trademark enforcement, and securing opportunities in developing markets. His extensive experience representing creators and owners of intellectual property makes him a strong strategic advisor to companies that use IP in their consumer-facing products or services.
A staunch advocate of creators’ rights, Jordan devises and implements strategies to influence legislation and policy affecting IP in the music industry. He sits on the Board of Directors of the . In this role, Jordan is active in the implementation of the Music Modernization Act, the ongoing reform discussions regarding the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and various state and local measures that affect music creators, including bringing awareness to their rights to economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, he was the lead negotiator for the music business exemption in California’s employment law AB 5.
Jordan is an authority on the streaming economy. In his 2016 royalty infographic, “,” he provided the first complete picture of how money flows to every participant in the value chain. With over a dozen separate data points, the infographic remains the most comprehensive and accurate existing view of U.S. streaming royalties.
Jordan is also known for his thought leadership. He is frequently published in and quoted by publications covering music issues, such as .
Prior to becoming an attorney, Jordan cofounded and developed Golden Mean Management, a Bay Area rap label and management, marketing, and distribution company. He also cofounded and developed Hip Hop Congress, an international nonprofit organization that uses hip hop music and culture to inspire social and civic action among young people.
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Jordan Bromley
Jordan Bromley leads Manatt Entertainment and the firm’s entertainment transactions and finance practice. Jordan is highly sought after as an entertainment advisor who is consistently on the pulse of the latest market trends, and he is driving impactful advocacy efforts for industry creators. Jordan has been recognized by Billboard as one of “Music’s Most Powerful Attorneys” and by Chambers USA as one of the country’s foremost transactional lawyers in the entertainment industry. In feedback to Chambers, clients have lauded him as “the best there is. Period.”
Recognizing that creators are no longer limited to the studio but instead are often CEOs of a global licensing regime, brand ambassadors and global strategists, Jordan emphasizes that his responsibility is to support and protect their activities in all countries and mediums, including on various tech-enabled platforms and metaverses proliferating in the Web3 era. This includes structuring global distribution networks and tours, ensuring trademark enforcement, and securing opportunities in developing markets. His extensive experience representing creators and owners of intellectual property makes him a strong strategic advisor to companies that use IP in their consumer-facing products or services.
A staunch advocate of creators’ rights, Jordan devises and implements strategies to influence legislation and policy affecting IP in the music industry. He sits on the Board of Directors of the . In this role, Jordan is active in the implementation of the Music Modernization Act, the ongoing reform discussions regarding the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and various state and local measures that affect music creators, including bringing awareness to their rights to economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, he was the lead negotiator for the music business exemption in California’s employment law AB 5.
Jordan is an authority on the streaming economy. In his 2016 royalty infographic, “,” he provided the first complete picture of how money flows to every participant in the value chain. With over a dozen separate data points, the infographic remains the most comprehensive and accurate existing view of U.S. streaming royalties.
Jordan is also known for his thought leadership. He is frequently published in and quoted by publications covering music issues, such as .
Prior to becoming an attorney, Jordan cofounded and developed Golden Mean Management, a Bay Area rap label and management, marketing, and distribution company. He also cofounded and developed Hip Hop Congress, an international nonprofit organization that uses hip hop music and culture to inspire social and civic action among young people.
Education
Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 2005
Dean’s List; Recipient, CALI Award for Excellence in Legal Writing II, Evidence and Professional Responsibility
Brooklyn Law Review; Co-president, Brooklyn Entertainment Law Society
University of Southern California, B.A., cum laude, 2001
Dean’s List; Philanthropist of the Year, 1998; Student Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership
President, Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
Accomplishments
Speaker, “AI, NFT and Entertainment Industry Experts,” The Advocacy Group, San Diego, CA, October 26, 2023.
Speaker, “Scope of the Piracy Issue,” U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Future Strategies in Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Piracy Roundtable, October 3, 2023.
Speaker, “The A to Z of Music Streaming,” USC Gould School of Law – Beverly Hills Bar Association 2023 Institute on Entertainment Law and Business, October 14, 2023.
Panelist, “Keeping it Real: Fake Drake and the Legal Implications of AI-Created Music,” Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Webinar, May 9, 2023.
Panelist, “Use of NFTs in the Creative Sector,” Non-Fungible Token Study, United States Copyright Office and United States Patent and Trademark Office, January 31, 2023.
Speaker, “Annual Music Law Update,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, November 16, 2022
Speaker, “Feeding Frenzy! Music Catalogue Sales Chum the Waters,” Los Angeles County Bar Association, February 25, 2022.
Panelist, “No Laughing Matter: Comedy, Spoken Word Audio, Rights and Royalties,” Digital Entertainment World, February 10, 2022.
Panelist, “Digital Streaming: Envisioning a More Equitable Model,” Music & Tech Law Symposium, Mondo.NYC, October 15, 2021.
Panelist, “NFTs and Copyright,” Copyright Society of the South, September 28, 2021.
Panelist, “The Mechanical Licensing Collective – Part 2: Why It Matters, What Is Changing, and How To Collect Your Money,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, June 23, 2021.
Panelist, “RIAA Presents Everything You Need to Know About Music Policy,” Mondo.NYC, October 14, 2020.
Panelist, “How Current Events And Covid-19 Are Impacting The Present And Future Of The Music Industry,” Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment Law Section, September 16, 2020.
Panelist, “Competition between PROs for Songwriters and Publishers,” Department of Justice Antitrust Division, July 28, 2020.
Speaker, “In The Room With Jordan Bromley: A Discussion and Q&A On The AB5 Carve Out For Music Industry,” Songwriters Of North America, April 22, 2020.
Panelist, 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards - Entertainment Law Institute, January 24, 2020.
Moderator, “The Future of Streaming: Rights, Royalties and Valuation,” Music Finance Forum, September 12, 2019.
Moderator, “The Revolution Has Been Digitized—Music Business, Money and Deals in 2018,” Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment Law Section, Beverly Hills, CA, October 17, 2018.
Speaker, “The New Era for Streaming Services,” New York Media Festival, October 4, 2018.
Speaker, “Music Streaming Royalties/Digital Service Providers/YouTube,” Laguna College of Art and Design, March 7, 2017.
Speaker, “MMF Meeting,” Music Managers’ Forum, New York, NY, October 5, 2015.
Guest Speaker, Managing Enterprise in Media, Entertainment, and Sports Summer Institute, UCLA Summer Session, Summer 2015.
Panelist, "Demystifying YouTube: How to Get Paid What You’re Owed!" Association of Independent Music Publishers, Beverly Hills, CA, March 12, 2015.
Named to the “Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers” list by Lawdragon, 2025
Named one of the “Top Music Lawyers” by Billboard, 2018–24
Named to the “Power Lawyers: Top Music Attorneys” list by The Hollywood Reporter, 2023
Recognized in Variety’s “Legal Impact Report,” 2020–23
Recognized in Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact Report”, 2022–23
Named as a Trailblazer in Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law, The National Law Journal, 2022
Named to the “Top Music Attorneys” list by The Hollywood Reporter, 2021
Named as a top-ranked attorney, Chambers USA, 2021–24
Named as The Best Lawyers in America, 2020–25
Admitted to practice in California
Member, State Bar of California
Cofounder, Hip Hop Congress
Member, Board of Directors, Music Artists Coalition
Featured, “Silver Lake's 'I LIKE YOU VERY MUCH' billboard has cost its patron $90,000 so far. He's not stopping anytime soon,” Los Angeles Times, May 22, 2025.
Quoted, “Why So Many Recording Artists Struggle to Get Health Insurance,” The Hollywood Reporter, March 7, 2025.
Quoted, “Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show is Must-See TV: What to Expect,” The Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2025.
Quoted, “How much money does Mariah Carey make from ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’? ‘It’s a lot,’ music expert says,” CNBC, December 22, 2024.
Quoted, “Why Beyoncé Got Mixed Up in the Whisky Business,” Billboard, October 30, 2024.
Quoted, “‘Landmark Victory’: Copyright Office Finalizes Rule Change On Streaming Royalties,” Billboard, July 9, 2024.
Quoted, “Songwriter Groups Hail ‘Landmark Victory’ As US Copyright Office Issues Rule Confirming How Termination Rights Apply To Streaming Royalties,” Music Business Worldwide, July 9, 2024.
Quoted, “Biz Applauds Termination-Rights Ruling,” HITS Daily Double, July 9, 2024.
Co-author, “A Bungling Bundle: Spotify Short-Changes Songwriters for Minimal Gain (Guest Column),” Billboard, May 30, 2024.
Quoted, “California lawmaker wants to end exclusive control over ticket sales,” April 1, 2024.
Quoted, “Why There Are So Many Producers Credited on One Beat,” XXL, March 25, 2024.
Featured, “Music Industry vs TikTok,” Fox 17 News, February 9, 2024.
Author, “BMI Is Selling: What This Means for Songwriters,” Billboard, November 28, 2023.
Quoted, “After outrage over Taylor Swift tickets, reform has been slow across the US,” Associated Press, September 1, 2023.
Featured, “How AI will reshape the music industry, according to 5 entertainment lawyers,” Insider, May 24, 2023.
Quoted, “AI vs. the Music Industry: With the Internet Full of Fake Drakes and Eminems, Who Gets Paid?,” Variety, May 3, 2023.
Quoted, “Hundreds of Artists Push for Copyright Rule Change On Streaming Royalties: ‘We Stand Together’,” Billboard, January 6, 2023.
Quoted, “Hundreds of Artists Push for Copyright Rule Change On Streaming Royalties: ‘We Stand Together’,” Billboard, January 6, 2023.
Featured, “Annual Music Law Update,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, December 23, 2022.
Quoted, “Songwriters’ Royalty Hike for CDs, Vinyl Approved for First Time in Over a Decade,” Billboard, December 16, 2022.
Quoted, “How TikTok and the music industry are bound to each other as 'frenemies,' even as they battle over licensing,” Insider, November 17, 2022.
Quoted, “After ‘Roe’: Music’s Leaders On How To Take Action,” Billboard, July 29, 2022.
Quoted, “FAIR Act Bill to Repeal Amendment to ‘Seven-Year Statute’ Up for Vote in California Assembly,” Billboard, March 29, 2022.
Quoted, “Entertainment Lawyer Christopher Chatham Joins Manatt, Phelps & Phillips,” Variety, January 6, 2022.
Quoted, “As NFTs Spur a Digital Gold Rush, Law Firms Are Getting in on the Action,” The American Lawyer, July 1, 2021.
Quoted, “Royalty Splits, Copyrights & More: ‘Ruthless’ NFT Market Sparks New Legal Debates,” Billboard, May 25, 2021.
Quoted, “11 Indie Musicians on How They’re Navigating the NFT Wave,” Pitchfork, May 10, 2021.
Quoted, “Musicians Turn to NFTs to Make Up for Lost Revenue,” The Wall Street Journal, March 23, 2021.
Quoted, “Hipgnosis Is Buying Music Libraries — and Plans to Spend $1 Billion More,” The Hollywood Reporter, February 18, 2021.
Co-author, “Recoup, There It Is: An Artist's Guide to Royalty Hunting,” Billboard, January 7, 2021.
Quoted, “ASCAP, BMI Consent Decree Action More Likely From DOJ Than Congress,” Communications Daily, August 18, 2020.
Quoted, “Bureaucratic snag leaves thousands of gig workers shut out of relief aid,” NBC News, July 19, 2020.
Quoted, “Copyright Office Calls for Changes to Whack-a-Mole Takedowns,” Bloomberg Law, May 21, 2020.
Quoted, “Waiting on a Lifeline: Delays in Aid for Freelance Musicians Highlight Systemic Inequalities,” Billboard, May 8, 2020.
Quoted, “‘It’s a Clusterf-ck’: Musicians Struggle to Get Pandemic Assistance,” Rolling Stone, May 5, 2020.
Quoted, “Gig workers are now eligible for special unemployment benefits. But many won’t get them,” Los Angeles Times, May 2, 2020.
Quoted, “Many Musicians Exempt From Controversial Gig-Worker Law Under Proposed Changes,” KQED Arts, April 28, 2020.
Quoted, “The music industry gets relief from California’s AB5 gig economy law,” KCRW, April 21, 2020.
Quoted, “Gig worker law will be amended for musicians, lawmaker says,” Daily Journal, April 20, 2020.
Quoted, “Musicians and Music Professionals to Receive AB 5 Exemption,” California Globe, April 18, 2020.
Quoted, “California Legislators Amend AB5 Gig Economy Law to Protect Music Professionals,” Billboard, April 17, 2020.
Quoted, “Musicians' Groups, California Legislators Propose Gig-Economy Law Amendment,” The Hollywood Reporter, April 17, 2020.
Quoted, “AB5: Most musicians can keep performing under update to gig-work law,” San Francisco Chronicle, April 17, 2020.
Mentioned, “California Lawmakers, Music Coalitions Reach Tentative Agreement on Amendments to AB5 Gig Economy Law,” The Wrap, April 17, 2020.
Mentioned, “California Agrees to Amend AB5 Restrictions for Gigging Musicians,” Digital Music News, April 17, 2020.
Quoted, “Leading MROs Join Forces With CA Legislature to Ensure Music Thrives Under AB5,” Music Connection, April 17, 2020.
Quoted, “Musicians to Be Exempt From California ‘Gig Economy’ Assembly Bill 5,” Variety, April 17, 2020.
Quoted, “You Produced a Hit! Now Good Luck Getting Paid,” Rolling Stone, March 23, 2020.
Quoted, “What More Can (Or Should) Congress Do to Support the Music Community Amid Coronavirus?,” Billboard, March 20, 2020.
Quoted, “Legal industry facing down pandemic pandemonium,” Daily Journal, March 13, 2020.
Quoted, “Why Megan Thee Stallion Sued Her Own Label,” Rolling Stone, March 5, 2020.
Quoted, “Musicians say AB5 strikes sour note with gig-driven profession,” San Francisco Chronicle, February 24, 2020.
Quoted, “Federal Music Modernization Act has a troubled rollout,” Daily Journal, December 30, 2019.
Quoted, “California’s employment law was rewritten. Many independent contractors aren’t thrilled,” Los Angeles Times, September 23, 2019.
Quoted, “Syncs' Influence, Streaming's Global Reach Discussed at the Music Finance Forum,” Billboard, September 19, 2019.
Quoted, “Will Tencent’s Hunger to Own the Music Business Stop at Universal and Spotify?” Rolling Stone, September 18, 2019.
Interviewed, “Bill For Gig Workers Gets Approved,” KCBS Radio, September 12, 2019.
Author, “Return of the Consent Decree Review: A Primer for Songwriters,” Billboard, September 12, 2019.
Mentioned, “Brooklyn Law School and alumni named amongst the top in the music law industry,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 3, 2019.
Mentioned, “Musicians form new lobbying group,” The Hill, July 30, 2019.
Quoted, “Copyright office gives industry-favored group a key role in overseeing royalties,” Daily Journal, July 9, 2019.
Quoted, “The Taylor Swift v. Scooter Braun Battle Speaks to the Complexities of Music Ownership,” The Fashion Law, July 2, 2019.
Quoted, “Taylor Swift’s Dispute With Former Label is Latest Tussle Over Master Recordings,” The Wall Street Journal, July 1, 2019.
Quoted, “Music industry targets troll farms distorting streaming revenues,” Financial Times, June 20, 2019.
Co-author, “The Art of the Remix: Rights and Wrongs in the Modern Age,” Keeping It Honest: Transparency and Related Legal Issues in the Entertainment Industry, International Association of Entertainment Lawyers, 2019.
Quoted, “New Law Makes Old Song Rights Queries Moot, High Court Says,” Daily Journal, May 24, 2019.
Author, “Safe Harbor Reform In The United States: The Time Is Now,” Billboard, May 10, 2019.
Author, “The Music Modernization Act: A Songwriter's Guide to What Matters Next,” Billboard, March 12, 2019.
Quoted, “From Social Entertainment to Licensing & Data Challenges: What You Need to Know About Tencent Music’s IPO,” Billboard, December 13, 2018.
Quoted, “New Music Licensing Law Awaits Trump’s Signature,” Daily Journal, September 27, 2018.
Mentioned, “Why This Is a Difficult Time to Be a Songwriter,” The Wall Street Journal, August 13, 2018.
Mentioned, “Updated Music-Copyright Law Clears Senate Panel,” The Wall Street Journal, June 28, 2018.
Author, “The Most Significant Music Licensing Bill in a Generation,” Daily Journal, April 18, 2018.
Author, “A Letter To Songwriters On The Copyright Royalty Board,” Hypebot, April 2018.
Quoted, "Spotify IPO shows how its streaming losses saved the music world," CNETNews.com, April 3, 2018.
Mentioned, “After Driving Streaming Music’s Rise, Spotify Aims to Cash In,” The New York Times, March 31, 2018.
Author, "The Music Modernization Act: What Is It & Why Does It Matter?" Billboard, February 23, 2018.
Author, “The Future of the Streaming Economy: 5 Things to Watch,” Billboard, January 23, 2018.
Mentioned, “Irving Has an Issue With Lyor’s Math,” Hits Daily Double, January 7, 2018.
Mentioned, “An Unsigned Artist Makes 4X More from Streaming Than a Major Label Artist,” Digital Music News, October 13, 2016.
Mentioned, “Infographic: A Basic Explanation of Streaming Money,” Billboard, October 12, 2016.
Author, "Why Music Streaming Is Good for Creators and Consumers," Billboard, July 25, 2016.
Quoted, "Free Kesha: sex abuse and the music industry," The Telegraph, February 25, 2016.
Profiled for advising style company’s partnership with Target, Corporate Dealmakers, Daily Journal, October 20, 2015.
Co-author, “So You Want Music in Your Video: 5 Things So You Don't Get Sued,” Newsweek, June 28, 2015.
Co-author, "So Your Kid Wants to Be a Rock Star?" Newsweek, February 22, 2015.
Interviewed, "Congressman," Indie Source magazine, February 2014.
Interviewed, "Tips for Making a Living as a Band in Today’s Digital Music World," USA Herald, December 19, 2013.
Interviewed, "Easy Listening," Entrepreneur, July 1, 2013.
Profiled, "Fast Track 2013: Jordan Bromley," The Recorder, June 24, 2013.
Profiled, “Manatt Launches Consulting, Venture Arm for Digitally Minded,” Daily Journal, May 15 2013.
Quoted, “Manatt Launches Digital Media Investment Fund,” Billboard, May 15, 2013.
Profiled, “Lawyer Tunes Up Silver Lake Home,” Los Angeles Business Journal, March 18, 2013.
Profiled, Music Connection Magazine, April 28, 2008.
Co-author, "10 Ways Lawyers Can Develop Unsigned Artists," Hollywood Reporter Esq., March 12, 2007.
Researcher and Contributor, “Law and Business of the Entertainment Industries,” Fifth Edition, 2007; Praeger Publishers.
Co-author, “Still A Hair’s Breadth Away From Liability,” Billboard, January 31, 2004.
Related Practices
Industries
Manatt Entertainment
Music
Film, Television and Digital Content
Manatt Digital and Technology
Metaverse
Name Image Likeness (NIL) in College Athletics
Artificial Intelligence
Gaming