Education J.D., Columbia Law School, 1984
B.A., Yale University, 1981
Admitted to Practice New York
Professional and Community Involvement American Bar Association (Business Section, Sports and Entertainment Law Forums) New York County Lawyers Association National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences(NARAS) Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA)
Robert A. Celestinis a graduate of Yale University and Columbia School of Law and has practiced entertainment law in New York City for over 19 years. He began his career in the music industry in 1986 as a staff attorney at Artista Records, Inc. – the home of multi-platinum recording artists Whitney Houston, Whodini and Kenny G. In 1987, Andre Harrell, president and founder of Uptown Records, Inc. (“Uptown”), the company responsible for the merger of Hip-Hop and R&B, hired him as the Vice President and General Manager overseeing the operating and administrative aspects of the company. While at Uptown, Bob was also responsible for the negotiation and signing of Uptown's multi-platinum recording artists and producers such as “Mary J. Blige,” “Jodeci,” “Guy,” “Heavy D and the Boyz” and “Al B. Sure” and worked alongside Sean “P-Diddy” Combs. In 1992, he went on to become the Vice President and General Manager of Untouchables Entertainment, Inc. (“Untouchables”), a production/management company founded by “Heavy D and the Boyz’s” producer Edward “DJ Eddie F” Ferrell and home of the groundbreaking rap duo, “Pete Rock and CL Smooth,” the R&B trio “Intro” and R&B vocalist “Donnell Jones.” At Untouchables, Bob was responsible for overseeing the record and producer management division and creating and implementing company-wide operating, promotional and artist development strategies. He then went on to work with Louise West, Esq. of West Entertainment Services, LLC assisting her in the representation of clients such as Timbaland, Missy Elliott and Ginuwine.
Bob now focuses his solo practice on counseling an array of domestic and international music and visual media industry clients including emerging and established recording artists, managers, producers, music production companies, songwriters, publishers, video directors, music executives, screen writers and film production companies.
Speaking Engagements:
2006
BMI Panel - "Generate Income - How to Invest & Grow Your Publishing Royalties"
Cardozo Law School - "Representing Clients in the Digitial Era"
2005
BESLA Conference, Tucson, AZ
Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Action Summit Network, Miami, FL
“About My Father’s Business Gospel Conference”, Indianapolis, IN
ASCAP Legal Seminar, New York, NY
BMI Writers’ Workshop, New York, NY
EARS Lifebeat Panel, New York, NY
Power 105 Music Panel, New York, NY
The A&R Power Summit, New York, NY
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Panelist, New York, NY
"Protect Your Neck” Music Conference, New York, NY Detroit Music Industry Seminar, Detroit, MI
Fordham Law School BLSA Seminar, New York, NY
Brooklyn Law School BLSA Seminar, New York, NY
“How Can I Be Down? Music Conference”, Miami, FL
“Dynamic Producer Conference”, New York,
NY
Latin Hip-Hop Conference, New York, NY
Education J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 2001
B.A., summa cum laude, Spelman College, 1996
Admitted to Practice New York
Massachusetts
Admitted to Practice American Bar Association (Business Section, Sports and Entertainment Law Forum) Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) Founding Trustee, National Black College Alliance
Alicia D. Ferriabough is the firm’s associate attorney. She is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and Spelman College. Alicia presently focuses her practice on transactional entertainment law counseling and advising clients in a wide range of matters in the music and film industry, including drafting and negotiating recording, producer, and personal management agreements to advising clients with regards to film financing, development and licensing.
Alicia’s prior legal experience includes practicing entertainment law with The McMillan Firm representing artists such as, Mobb Deep, Darryl McDaniels (DMC of Run DMC), Holla Point Disciples, Jazz of Dru Hill and Japanese recording artist Toshi, to name a few. Prior to relocating to New York, Alicia practiced corporate law at Testa, Hurwitz and Thibeault, LLP in Boston, Massachusetts where she represented emerging technology and publicly traded companies in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, securities law, venture capital fund formation and financing.
