LOS ANGELES, July 27, 2020 – Partner Tony Oncidi was named to Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers for 2020. Tony was recognized among the leading attorneys who are on the front lines of the music industry’s biggest legal battles and deals.
In announcing this year’s honorees, Billboard writes, “In a time of unprecedented economic and social upheaval, attorneys throughout the music industry have kept business on course, helped clients cope with the pandemic — and vigorously joined the call for racial justice.”
Tony, partner and chair of the Firm’s West Coast Labor & Employment Department, was recognized for his guidance to the Recording Industry Association of America (the RIAA) concerning the impact of California Assembly Bill 5, which was intended to ensure fair treatment for gig-economy workers but would have reclassified most independent contractors in the music business as employees, thereby complicating their ability to work. An amended version to the law passed in April. He also was spotlighted for his representation of The GRAMMY Organization in its ongoing dispute with former president/CEO Deborah Dugan, in connection with Dugan’s complaint filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the ongoing arbitration proceedings involving the Recording Academy’s claims against Dugan.
This is Tony’s first time on Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers list, but it’s just the latest in a string of entertainment industry accolades for Tony. Earlier this month, Tony was named to Variety’s annual “Legal Impact Report” where he was recognized as one of the best legal minds working in film, television, music, theatre, and digital media. Additionally, Tony again this year has been identified among the top 100 “Power Lawyers” in the entertainment industry by The Hollywood Reporter.
Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers for 2020 were chosen by editors based on factors including, but not limited to, nominations by peers, colleagues and superiors. In addition to nominations, editors consider the attorneys’ representation of clients with notable music industry impact.