Akin Gump Trio Named to Billboard’s “2020 Top Music Lawyers”

(Washington, D.C.) –Billboard has spotlighted Akin Gump’s COVID-19-related work on behalf of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and named three members of its policy team as among its “2020 Top Music Lawyers.”

Akin Gump public law and policy senior policy adviser Casey Higgins, practice co-head Brian Pomper and partner Ed Pagano are featured in an article that covers the legal industry’s response to a “time of unprecedented economic and social upheaval.”

The article discusses how Ms. Higgins received a call from a theater group CEO from Milwaukee in early March who sought advice regarding the then-new Paycheck Protection Program guidelines. The article notes that it soon became clear that, absent lobbying representation in Washington, D.C., independent venues would be excluded from federal assistance.

Following a virtual meeting in mid-March, NIVA was formed and engaged the firm to represent its interests in Washington.

Ms. Higgins said that she is working to guide the next phase of relief legislation to allow flexible use of loan proceeds and loan forgiveness with no minimums attached for how much funding is allocated to uses such as rent and mortgage payments, as well as a ticket revenue tax credit that would allow venues credit for revenue proceeding from refunded tickets. She said, “It’s going to be a long road for these venues, and they need a longer program. They were the first to close, and they will likely be the last to open.”

Ms. Higgins noted that NIVA has been a “passion project” for her and the Akin Gump team. Click here and here to learn more about the firm’s work on behalf of NIVA.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1945, the firm is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020. #AkinGump75

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