I’ve been a touring musician, artist manager, indie label owner, and an entertainment lawyer. My experience gives me a unique, three-dimensional perspective on working with artists and negotiating in the music and entertainment business. Authenticity is key. I know my clients’ needs because I’ve walked in their shoes. I love the work because it allows me to build a network of creative people and connect the dots to create and capitalize on opportunities for them.

Hillel Frankel works with musicians, songwriters, producers, record labels, publishers, filmmakers, production companies, and other content creators to secure their intellectual property rights, license their creations, and generate license and royalty income. Hillel’s clients appreciate not only his tenacity in closing deals but also his strength in resolving issues and clearing the way for creators to create and rights holders to earn revenue. He focuses on helping content creators build and protect their copyrights, trademarks, and brand identities and securing licensing, joint ventures, and other royalty payment and branding opportunities.

In addition, Hillel actively represents music and entertainment companies across a broad range of business and corporate matters. He drafts recording and publishing agreements, negotiates sync arrangements for music in television, film, and advertising, and works with musical partners to develop and maintain creative partnership agreements. He also guides clients on licensing content for software, apps, and other technology and advises music production, tech, and recording start-ups on corporate affairs and business development.

Following a career as a touring and recording musician Hillel’s practice began in Chicago, representing many of the artists that he originally performed with. In 2014 Hillel moved to Nashville, where he is a mainstay of the vibrant Music Row community and represents successful songwriters and producers. His intimate knowledge of the industry affords him a strong network, and he relishes the opportunity to make connections between artists, managers, producers, labels and publishers.

A recognized voice in the industry, Hillel regularly presents on intellectual property and entertainment law issues at conferences and festivals around the country, including the South by Southwest Music Conference, the Music Biz Conference, Folk Alliance, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers’ (ASCAP) Expo, and the Americana Music Conference.

In his not-so-former life as musician “Frankie Hill,” Hillel recorded and toured internationally on keyboards and saxophone for numerous bands including GRAMMY-nominated Liquid Soul, LA’s Bonedaddys, the UK’s General Public, and Chicago’s P-1 and Heavy Manners. Since moving to Nashville, he continues to perform and record on tenor sax with local artists.