Pryor Cashman LLP

Music Group + Media and Entertainment Litigation Practice

Partner

Partner Benjamin Semel serves as co-chair of Pryor Cashman’s Music Group and Media and Entertainment Litigation Practice, chair of the AI Interdisciplinary Group, and a member of the Litigation Group. Ben has extensive experience representing clients in the music, entertainment, and media industries in complex and high-stakes matters, and is a thought leader in protecting the rights of content creators and owners. He is known for his strategic thinking and ability to achieve successful outcomes for his clients that address their short- and long-term goals, and has served as lead counsel on multibillion-dollar matters with industrywide impact in the music space.

Ben’s experience and results have made him a sought-after legal advisor for clients seeking to navigate complex legal issues. His reputation has been recognized with top industry awards, including repeated selection in Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers and Variety’s Legal Impact Report, recognizing top attorneys, as well as the New York Law Journal’s Trailblazers Award, celebrating “true agents of change” who have made a significant impact in their area of practice.

Ben’s experience also goes well beyond the media space, spanning a wide variety of commercial areas. He has managed numerous matters involving intellectual property, including disputes over trademark and trade secret protection; copyrights in film, television, music, software, literature, and architectural works; and rights of publicity and privacy and allegations of idea theft. Ben also maintains an active practice in technology law, addressing issues for digital media and emerging technology companies. His practice extends to other commercial litigation areas, including a broad spectrum of contract disputes, tort claims, and regulatory enforcement matters. Ben’s experience extends to federal and state courts and federal agency proceedings, as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) cases before various organizations, such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA), its international affiliate ICDR, JAMS, FINRA, and others. His experience on all sides of ADR, including as a mediator and arbitrator for New York City courts, enhances his ability to effectively represent clients in negotiations and litigation.

Prior to his legal career, Ben worked in print journalism and radio, and alongside his legal career, he has engaged in extensive international travel and charitable work, journeying across more than 100 nations, participating in teaching, NGO management, disaster relief, and conservation and animal welfare projects.

Spanish

New York State Bar Association

Columbia Law School (J.D., 1998) Kent Scholar, the highest academic honor awarded; Class of 1912 Prize, given to the top student in the field of contracts Brown University (B.A., 1992)