Legal Assistant
- Tashana Scott (She/her)
- Phone:902-491-1288
- Fax:902-421-3130
- Email:
BIO
Matthew Gorman is Counsel in Cox & Palmer’s Halifax office. Matt has extensive experience within the entertainment, intellectual property, and digital rights space, where he advises performers, songwriters, producers, managers, social media influencers, music publishers, record labels, authors, and dynamic entertainment/digital businesses and disruptors. Matt regularly negotiates and drafts commercial and entertainment contracts of all kinds, and advises clients on international industry standards, rights management issues, and assists in dispute resolution. In addition, Matt advises creators and entertainment companies on Web3 related issues.
Heavily involved in the music community, Matt is an elected member of Music Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors, a frequent writer, lecturer and speaker on music related legal issues at conferences and events all over the country, and is a member of the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers. Matt also operates Ocean Town Music, which provides business advisory and management services to music clients.
Matt was very active within the creative arts space long before becoming a lawyer, which helps inform his practice everyday. Outside the office, Matt loves to play drums, piano, and guitar.
BACKGROUND
Bar Admission
Nova Scotia (2012)
Law School
- University of Leeds
Education
- University of Leeds, England (LLB)
- Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science)
Professional Activities & Affiliations
- International Association of Entertainment Lawyers
Community & Volunteer Activities
- Music Nova Scotia, Board of Directors
- Nova Scotia Community College, Music Business Advisory Committee
Lectures & Presentations
- February 2, 2022, Speaker, “Protecting What’s Legally Yours”, hosted by MusicNL and CFM/AFM Local 820
- November 24, 2021, Speaker, “MusicWorks Rights Management”, Manitoba Music
- November 12, 2021, Speaker, “Songwriter Splits”, Indie Week
- November 6, 2021, Presenter, “Songwriter and Producer Deals – Legal Basis”, Nova Scotia Music Week
- June 24, 2021, Speaker, “Record and Publishing Contracts – ‘In Conversation With’ Series”, Music Nova Scotia
- May 18-21, 2021, Moderator, “Un-Masking New Music: How an Artist “Breaks Out” in a Locked-Down World”, Canadian Music Week Virtual Series
- April 20-24, 2021 Speaker, “Music Contracts and Agreements”, Indie 101
- December 14, 2020, Moderator, “Avoiding Bad Deals – Quick Contract Tips to Avoid Long Term Disaster”, Canadian Music Week Virtual Series
- January 20, 2020, Presenter, “Band Agreements – What You Need To Know”, January Music Meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- October 26, 2019, Presenter, “Music Law Crash Course”, Festival (506), Music NB, Moncton, New Brunswick
- May 10, 2019, Speaker, “The Mega-Multi-Tasker: How the Modern Entertainment Lawyer Operates”, Canadian Music Week, Toronto
- March 30, 2019, Presenter, “Music Law Crash Course”, Music Nova Scotia Orchestrated Neighbors Project
- November 2, 2018, Presenter, “Emerging Legal Topics in Music”, Nova Scotia Music Week
- October 18/19, 2018, Presenter, “Legal Guide to Music Publishing Deals”, Halifax Pop Explosion Conference (Publishing Summit)
- October 12, 2018, Presenter, “Contracts, Specific Deal Points, Negotiating Tips, and Contract Red Flags”, Music Newfoundland Week, Twillingate
- May 28, 2018, Presenter, “Top 5 Tips for Songwriters”, Halifax Central Library Business Series
- May 7, 2018, Presenter, “A Guide to Building your Music Biz”, East Coast Music Association (ECMA), Industry Conference
- October 19, 2017, Presenter, “How we Deal: Lawyers Discuss How and Why We Contract in the Music Industry”, Halifax Pop Explosion Conference
- September 18, 2017, Presenter, “Creating a Music Business – Legal Considerations”, Halifax Central Library Business Series
Law Society Memberships
- Nova Scotia Barristers' Society
- Canadian Bar Association
Languages
- English
ARTICLES
- Canada vs. The U.S.: Songwriter Collaborations and the Value of Co-writer Agreements
- Presented With a Music Contract? Ask Yourself These Five Questions
- Sound Recording Copyright Vs. Musical Work Copyright
- 10 Questions for a Music Lawyer
- Record Deals and Contract Tips: Part 2
- Record Deals and Contract Tips: Part 1
- The Importance of Signing a Band Agreement
- Legal Considerations When Co-Writing a Song: What You Need to Know