Bio

A good lawyer is like a good bass player – working hard in the background so those in the spotlight can shine. Daniel Schacht helps creative people succeed by guiding their business and protecting their rights. His past and current clients include world-renowned musicians and companies in the music and technology space, including numerous members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, hip hop legends, China’s largest online content distributor, and the number one app. In addition to his licensing and business practice, Daniel’s copyright and trademark litigation experience includes serving as co-counsel in the successful “Happy Birthday” lawsuit, described by The New York Times as “a lawsuit for the ages,” that put the world’s most popular song in the public domain, and as lead counsel in the prominent Wixen v. Spotify lawsuit. Daniel heads the firm’s Music and Entertainment practice and co-chairs the Intellectual Property Practice Group. He also regularly teaches Music Law at his alma mater, U.C. Berkeley School of Law, provides California Lawyers for the Arts with pro bono services and seminars on the law and business of music, served on the boards of Oakland Art Murmur and the Great Wall of Oakland, and serves as pro bono counsel to two of Oakland’s Community Benefit Districts. During law school, Daniel served as president of both the Sports and Entertainment Law Society and Parents at Boalt, and was a member of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Before law school, he was a bassist for dozens of bands you’ve never heard of.