Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Farbman.
Hi Jake, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Thanks to my parents, music has always been in my DNA. I started playing guitar at age 6 and was performing on stage by age 7. I formed a rock band in my teens, moved to LA from New Jersey, and spent years on the road–playing hundreds of shows across the country, driving through the night to make it to the next city, building a fanbase, and learning the business of music the only way you really could. In a few short years before I turned 20, I made it out of my hometown, lived out my rockstar dream, and toured the country numerous times playing shows with Plain White T’s, Alessia Cara, 311, and more, and worked with and/or was represented by companies such as CAA, Fender, MLB, MTV, etc. Being an artist, songwriter, and touring musician taught me discipline, resilience, and how fragile creative careers can be when you don’t understand the legal and business side behind them.
When the band came to an end just before we were about to tour Europe, I had to decide what was next for me. Being an entertainment lawyer is something I always had in the back of my mind because the business and legal aspects of the music industry intrigued me, and I always admired the work that my entertainment attorneys did for the band and me. I never wanted to leave the music business behind. So, it was the logical next step. Fortunately, I completed college while touring. So, when the band ended, I didn’t skip a beat. I took the LSAT and went to law school at the University of Miami.
Today, I’m an entertainment attorney working with artists, creators, and businesses navigate the same industry I grew up in from the stage. I still think like a musician first, which I think is a real asset for my clients. My goal isn’t just to practice law, it’s to help creative people build sustainable careers and protect their work while chasing their dreams.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not! Life isn’t linear. The journey has been rewarding but definitely not smooth. Initially, the biggest challenge was identity. Going from being “the music guy” to starting over in a completely different profession while still carrying that creative part of myself was challenging. I pretty much had to completely change my goals and path seemingly overnight.
Then there were the practical struggles. Law school is obviously very demanding and requires a level of structure, patience, and discipline that’s very different from the chaos of touring.
That said, challenges are what make life fun and interesting!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At its core, my work sits at the intersection of creativity, business, and the law. I’m an entertainment attorney in the Nashville office of Hall Booth Smith, P.C., and I primarily work with artists, songwriters, authors, creators, and music-adjacent businesses helping them protect their work, understand their deals, and further their projects and careers. That can mean anything from negotiating contracts and advising on intellectual property to helping clients think strategically about how certain projects and opportunities will affect their leverage and long-term growth.
I tend to focus on areas where creativity and commerce intersect–music contracts, intellectual property rights, and the larger business structures that shape the entertainment industry. I also dig into the bigger-picture issues that affect the business as a whole like fairness, access, and power imbalances in the live music and ticketing space.
I’m still at the forefront of this “new” career for me. However, one thing I’ve been most proud of so far is having old friends of mine from my touring days become clients. It’s really fun to do business with friends and to see their careers continue to grow.
What sets me apart the most from others is that I actually lived on both sides of the table. I know what it’s like to be on stage, in the studio, to tour, to chase opportunities, and to make instant decisions under pressure without perfect information. That experience shapes how I practice law. I can understand what a creative client is experiencing in a way that others can’t.
What makes you happy?
In business, I enjoy being an instrumental part of others’ careers. It’s fun to work with creatives and to work towards something. I love being the guy they call when they need legal assistant or a strategic partner. And I really enjoy networking and forming new connections with likeminded individuals.
Personally, I’m first and foremost a fan of music. I love discovering new music. I still play a lot of guitar and piano. I look forward to getting back on stage whenever and in whatever capacity that might be.
Beyond that, I love to learn. My next goal is to become a pilot. It’s been another dream of mine for as long as I could remember.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hallboothsmith.com/attorney/jake-n-farbman/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakefarbman/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakefarbman/
