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James Elam began his professional career in 1997 as an attorney at the prestigious Dilworth Paxson law firm in Philadelphia. After working for a year as an associate in the litigation department, he moved into the corporate transactional group.

Utilizing the strong client base that he had developed in relatively short order, he immediately began the formation of a media law group within the firm. Initially focusing on music-related clients, James developed a strong presence in the blossoming Philadelphia music scene representing talents such as Jill Scott, Freeway, Kindred, and Jaguar Wright. Thereafter, he began representing clients in the film, television, and theater industries, as well as professional athletes and authors, such luminaries as Lil Wayne, Seether, Thursday and John Legend. In servicing his clients, James has negotiated numerous agreements regarding recording artists, music publishing, music production, licensing, distribution, merchandising and investment, while also serving as general counsel to a number of companies.

A seasoned corporate attorney, Mr. Elam also serves as general counsel to businesses in general corporate matters, as well as handling diligence activities for real estate transactions.

An adjunct professor at Drexel University, James has served as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences, panel discussions and community events. Understanding that many young people desire careers in the entertainment industry, James feels an ardent desire to educate others on the pitfalls of seeking celebrity and the extensive knowledge required of performing artists to be financially and professionally successful under the intense scrutiny of the media.

TV/Film Appearances

NO SUCH THING AS NEOSOUL (approx. 60 minutes)

This documentary provides an insider's look at a 10 year-stretch of the Philadelphia Black Arts Movement, from the voices of the local performers whose talents have propelled them to notoriety in the mainstream or underground arts scenes. NTN examines the creative influences, prominent venues and ideologies that have fueled the explosion of Philadelphia's"neosoul" performers and seeks to explain why the city produces such extraordinary talent -- why certain artists have become valuable cultural commodities and what to expect in the future. Featuring performance and interview footage from JAMES ELAM, SABELA, BERNARD COLLINS, RICH MEDINA, URSULA RUCKER, JILL SCOTT and many more. Directed by Stephanie Renee, with valuable production contributions from middle and high school students from Philadelphia and Camden.

Unsolicitied Material Demo Submissions

Demos and materials can be submitted for consideration and feedback. Place all materials including product, biographies, and photographs in an envelope and include all valid contact information including e-mail if available.

Every submission will be reviewed as they are received.

Allow 2 - 4 weeks after submission for a response.

Please Note that all submissions become the property of The Elam Firm and will not be returned.

Speaking Engagements

Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts CLE panelist:
Making Money Making Music: Representing Clients in the New Music Industry - 2005

Philadelphia Bar Association 2005 Bench-Bar Conference CLE panelist:
"Important Considerations in Developing a New Law Practice" - 2005

Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Multicultural Affairs Congress MAC Advantage series panelist:
How To Stay Out of Jail: The Event Planners Top 10 Legal & Risk Management Mistakes and How To Avoid Them. - 2005

National Black MBA Association of America
Speaker - National Conference 2004

Millennium Music Conference
Speaker - 2004

Tavis Smiley National Youth Leadership Conference
Washington, DC - August, 2003

ASCAP - Building Your Camp as an Artist
November, 2002

Black Entertainment & Sports Law Association
Nuts & Bolts of Managing, Maintaining and Growing an Entertainment Legal Practice - November, 2002

Widener University School of Law
Careers in Entertainment Law - April, 2002

Dell East Music Business Institute
2002

Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Society
A Night of Music and the Law - November, 2001

Philadelphia Music Conference
Urban Music 102 - June, 2001

MusicDish.com - Crash Course in Entertainment Law
Interview with James Elam Esquire -November, 2000

Media Features

Philadelphia Magazine - The "IT" List - "22 People Who Will Change Your World" - 2003

Rolling Out Magazine - Business Profile - July, 2004

Philadelphia Style Magazine - Singled Out - Spring, 2001

PhillyHipHop.com - Spring, 2002

UrbanPhilly.com - Philly Shine - Summer, 2002

Philadelphia City Paper - August, 2002

Philadelphia Tribune - Philadelphia's Most Influential African Americans - January, 2003

Philadelphia Daily News - Up Close - February, 2003

KYW News Radio and Website - February, 2003

Practice

The Elam Law Firm's practice focuses on entertainment, corporate and intellectual property issues with a client base that includes primarily entertainment and sports related clients and entities.

Entertainment clients include film and television companies, recording artists, professional athletes, songwriters, artist managers, record labels, production companies, publishing companies, and clothing companies.

Corporate clients include governmental institutions, corporations, limited liability companies, media companies, advertising entities, and banking institutions, among others. Real estate transactions, both commercial and residential, are also a strong practice area for Mr. Elam.

Contact Info

James E. Elam, Esq.
Elam Law Firm
1616 Walnut Street
Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.545.9870
215.754.4368 fax
james@jameselam.com
www.jameselam.com

Eternal Crescent Media

In 2007, I formed Eternal Crescent Media, a Los Angeles based media production company. As I spend a lot of time on the west coast, I decided to provide a means of contacting me there. Please feel free to call 310.439.8608 to reach me if you are unsuccessful at the number for the firm.

Details to follow

JEE4