Copyright Law Entertainment Law - Music
Derek C. Crownover
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Derek Crownover is a recognized leader in the music, entertainment, sports and media industries, counseling publishing companies, independent record labels, singers and songwriters who own their copyrights, and music publishing administration companies on licensing, liability matters and related litigation. He also counsels clients on recording agreements, employment agreements, LLC funding deals, real estate deals, asset purchase agreements and trusts and estates matters. In addition to his work as a metaphorical “primary care physician” for his music, corporate and tech clients, Derek also advises several sports-related businesses and athletes.
With strong ties to the local Nashville community, Crownover is national counsel for the T.J. Martell Foundation, pro bono counsel for the New Children First Montessori Community School, and a former adjunct professor of entertainment law at the Curb Music Business School at Belmont University.
Overview
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1994
- Auburn University, BA
- New York, New York State Bar Association
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
- Auburn Alumni Association/Auburn Alumni Baseball Association - Founder and Chairman of the John Moorer Scholar Athlete Endowment
- Children First Montessori School - Pro Bono Legal Counselor
- Copyright Society of the South - Member
- Nashville Bar Association - Member, Sports and Entertainment & Corporate Sections
- T.J. Martell Foundation - National Counsel & Board Member, Nashville Counsel
- Tennessee Bar Association - Former Chair of Entertainment and Sports Law Section
- New York, New York State Bar Association
- Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
- Auburn Alumni Association/Auburn Alumni Baseball Association - Founder and Chairman of the John Moorer Scholar Athlete Endowment
- Children First Montessori School - Pro Bono Legal Counselor
- Copyright Society of the South - Member
- Nashville Bar Association - Member, Sports and Entertainment & Corporate Sections
- T.J. Martell Foundation - National Counsel & Board Member, Nashville Counsel
- Tennessee Bar Association - Former Chair of Entertainment and Sports Law Section
- The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1994
- Auburn University, BA
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Copyright Law
- Entertainment Law - Music
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
Awards:
- "Best of the Bar", Nashville Buisness Journal (one of top 65 lawyers named in Nashville and one of two for entertainment law)
- Best Lawyer in America, Entertainment Law
- "Best Lawyer in Entertainment Law", Smith and Naifeh's Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms, 2009-present
- Entertainment and Sports "Super Lawyer" by Law and Politics publication
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Martinez v. McGraw, Wiseman, Reid, et al.
Middle District of Tennessee Federal Court. Successfully won Motion for Summary Judgment, eliminating the need for a trial over a copyright infringement claim by Martinez against Craig Wiseman and Mike Reid over the Tim McGraw song, "Everywhere". June 2009. (reported)
- Brainerd, et al. v. Vassar and Wiseman, et al.
Middle District of Tennessee Federal Court. Successfully won Motion for Summary Judgment, eliminating the need for a trial over a copyright infringement claim by Brainerd and other songwriters asserting copyright infringement against Craig Wiseman and Phil Vassar over the song, "Good Ole Days". July 2009. (reported)
- Quantum Wave, LLC v. Michael Russell, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Split-decision regarding Motion to Dismiss opposing parties claims related to piercing the corporate veil and establishing independent contractors right to use information. (2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4120)
Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.
Please use the print button to print this profile page.