Adam Zia is the founding partner of The Zia Firm and is one of the leading entertainment attorneys in the talent representation business. Under Adam’s leadership, The Zia Firm has become one of the leading boutique (and minority-owned) music and entertainment firms in the world, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Adam represents and advises entertainment talent in various areas, including music, social media, executive employment, NIL and branding. Adam's primary focus is on the music industry, with a client list that includes superstar, multi-platinum artists, Grammy winning songwriters and producers, top executive talent, record labels, and production companies.
Adam has helped his clients navigate the multi-platform terrain of today’s entertainment business, guiding his clients towards protecting their artistic vision while exploring new revenue streams. He has facilitated a variety of opportunities for his clients that include forming their own record labels, music publishing companies, and management companies.
Adam is yearly recognized as one of Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers. He also serves as a Grammy U mentor and as an active member and mentor of the Asian American Collective.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW & B.A. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
RECOGNITION:
Elle’s Girl Connected 2020 Mentor
Named in Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers 2018-2023
Nate Kuo is a partner at The Zia Firm-NY and represents artists and creative professionals throughout the world at all stages of development: from independent and established musicians (industry-leading artists, producers, songwriters, mixers/engineers), electronic music’s foremost global DJs and producers, celebrity brand influencers and models, renowned visual artists and designers, culture-shaping downtown publications and writers (novelist, magazines, substacks/newsletters), global creative agencies, media/tech companies, prominent entertainment professionals and freelance creative directors (employee rights), avant-garde film/television and digital content creators, and the like.
Nate began his legal career in the corporate-finance practices of the global law firms of Clifford Chance US LLP and Alston & Bird LLP in New York, where he worked on billion-dollar acquisition financing, secured lending, and fund formation transactions. Nate leverages his experiences working on complex corporate/finance matters in advising, negotiating, and drafting on behalf of his creative clients.
Nate holds a BA in Philosophy from UCLA, an MA in Philosophy from the University of London (London College), and a JD from Fordham University School of Law where he was a Dean’s Fellow at the Fashion Law Institute and wrote on the Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal.
Nate started in music as a DJ, producer, and avid record collector, working at independent record labels and record pools throughout high school, national and college radio departments at major record labels throughout college, and touring with the artist Dev (“Like A G6”) throughout law school. Nate continues to be heavily involved in New York’s downtown music scene in his capacity as a lawyer and participant.
Outside of music, Nate is a long-time artist and sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast. You can probably catch him at a downtown party/underground rave somewhere in the world most days of the week.
Nate began his legal career in the corporate-finance practices of the global law firms of Clifford Chance US LLP and Alston & Bird LLP in New York, where he worked on billion-dollar acquisition financing, secured lending, and fund formation transactions. Nate leverages his experiences working on complex corporate/finance matters in advising, negotiating, and drafting on behalf of his creative clients.
Nate holds a BA in Philosophy from UCLA, an MA in Philosophy from the University of London (London College), and a JD from Fordham University School of Law where he was a Dean’s Fellow at the Fashion Law Institute and wrote on the Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal.
Nate started in music as a DJ, producer, and avid record collector, working at independent record labels and record pools throughout high school, national and college radio departments at major record labels throughout college, and touring with the artist Dev (“Like A G6”) throughout law school. Nate continues to be heavily involved in New York’s downtown music scene in his capacity as a lawyer and participant.
Outside of music, Nate is a long-time artist and sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast. You can probably catch him at a downtown party/underground rave somewhere in the world most days of the week.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ NEW YORK
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW,M.A. UNIVERSITY OF COLLEGE LONDON, & B.A. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
RECOGNITION:
Named in Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers 2022-2023
Named in HITS Magazine Noisemakers (2019)
Named in Forever Mag’s 30 Pushing 30 List
Marc Geylman is the managing partner at The Zia Firm. With a client roster that includes renowned talent in music, fashion, film, television, art, and digital media, Marc excels not only in legal representation, but in strategic navigation of the complexities of the entertainment industry.
Marc’s role at the firm includes directing its operations and spearheading its expansion into emerging technologies such as AI, web3/blockchain, and diverse tech startups. Marc's hybrid expertise in legal matters, corporate affairs, and cutting-edge technologies allows him to serve the needs of both creatives and businesses alike.
Marc has molded his career across entertainment hubs such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Canada. He began his career in the realm of electronic music, where he found success as a manager. His on-ground experience gives him a unique edge, allowing him to tackle various decisions in an artist’s career from a perspective that not many can offer. Marc is able to foster unrestricted growth during all stages of an artist's career, with a focus on the early grassroots development of an artist.
Well-respected entities in entertainment, ranging from record labels, executives, songwriters, bands, DJs, producers, to music tech companies, marketing agencies, service providers, and publishers, all have trusted Marc to navigate the legal complexities surrounding their business.
Marc is a Canadian citizen, and was born in Montreal, Quebec. Marc is an avid hockey player, and collector of various collectibles including sports cards and NFTs.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ CALIFORNIA
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
Marc’s role at the firm includes directing its operations and spearheading its expansion into emerging technologies such as AI, web3/blockchain, and diverse tech startups. Marc's hybrid expertise in legal matters, corporate affairs, and cutting-edge technologies allows him to serve the needs of both creatives and businesses alike.
Marc has molded his career across entertainment hubs such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Canada. He began his career in the realm of electronic music, where he found success as a manager. His on-ground experience gives him a unique edge, allowing him to tackle various decisions in an artist’s career from a perspective that not many can offer. Marc is able to foster unrestricted growth during all stages of an artist's career, with a focus on the early grassroots development of an artist.
Well-respected entities in entertainment, ranging from record labels, executives, songwriters, bands, DJs, producers, to music tech companies, marketing agencies, service providers, and publishers, all have trusted Marc to navigate the legal complexities surrounding their business.
Marc is a Canadian citizen, and was born in Montreal, Quebec. Marc is an avid hockey player, and collector of various collectibles including sports cards and NFTs.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ CALIFORNIA
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
Daniel Weiss is Of Counsel to The Zia Firm-NY. Prior to joining the firm, Dan worked at several entertainment law firms, managed critically acclaimed recording artists and held a position at Live Nation reviewing agreements for performances at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Central Park Summerstage and Irving Plaza.
Dan's career in the music industry started as a performer (mostly as a bass player) in various bands. His combined love of music and understanding of the business world lead him on a path where he now represents numerous Grammy winning producers, mixers, songwriters and artists. In addition to reviewing, drafting and negotiating contracts in all areas throughout the entertainment industry, Dan also advises his clients on various projects they have ventured into (e.g., coffee companies, candle companies, bars and restaurants, etc.) where he not only serves as counsel but also assists in establishing collaborations with other artists/performers. Dan's experience includes a wide range of entertainment and business matters including drafting, reviewing and negotiating recording agreements, publishing agreements, management agreements, producer agreements, mixer agreements, songwriter agreements, side artist agreements, sponsorship and endorsement agreements, live performance agreements, merchandise agreements, book publisher agreements, digital and new media licenses, social media influencer agreements, and various other agreements and licenses. In addition to contracts, Dan also handles intellectual property matters including applications and related work for trademarks and copyrights as well as tracking down royalties and/or other income streams for which income may be owed to his clients.
Prior to his legal career, Dan booked bands at legendary New York clubs such as Don Hill’s and spent time as a waiter/bartender/manager in the restaurant business. In his free time, Dan enjoys spending time with his family and attending shows/sporting events.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ NEW YORK
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW & B.S. HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Dan's career in the music industry started as a performer (mostly as a bass player) in various bands. His combined love of music and understanding of the business world lead him on a path where he now represents numerous Grammy winning producers, mixers, songwriters and artists. In addition to reviewing, drafting and negotiating contracts in all areas throughout the entertainment industry, Dan also advises his clients on various projects they have ventured into (e.g., coffee companies, candle companies, bars and restaurants, etc.) where he not only serves as counsel but also assists in establishing collaborations with other artists/performers. Dan's experience includes a wide range of entertainment and business matters including drafting, reviewing and negotiating recording agreements, publishing agreements, management agreements, producer agreements, mixer agreements, songwriter agreements, side artist agreements, sponsorship and endorsement agreements, live performance agreements, merchandise agreements, book publisher agreements, digital and new media licenses, social media influencer agreements, and various other agreements and licenses. In addition to contracts, Dan also handles intellectual property matters including applications and related work for trademarks and copyrights as well as tracking down royalties and/or other income streams for which income may be owed to his clients.
Prior to his legal career, Dan booked bands at legendary New York clubs such as Don Hill’s and spent time as a waiter/bartender/manager in the restaurant business. In his free time, Dan enjoys spending time with his family and attending shows/sporting events.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ NEW YORK
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW & B.S. HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Michael Busiashvili is an associate attorney at The Zia Firm-NY where he provides transactional and commercial legal services to creatives and brands in the entertainment and fashion spaces, representing clients on some of today’s most talked about releases, projects, and collaborations. Prior to joining The Zia Firm, Michael clerked for Judge Saliann Scarpulla in the Commercial Division, New York City and served as Dean’s Fellow to Professor Susan Scafidi at the Fashion Law Institute. Michael leverages both experiences not only to identify complex transactional issues but also foresee the most precise issues facing entertainment and fashion clients alike. Michael is also the co-founder of OX Fine Jewelry, a luxury diamond jewelry concept launched in 2022, and recently taught a course at the Nassau County Bar Association on the intersection of jewelry design, technology, and intellectual property.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ NEW YORK & CALIFORNIA
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW & B.A. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ NEW YORK & CALIFORNIA
EDUCATION ︎ J.D. FORDHAM UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW & B.A. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Shannon Rovzar is an associate at the Zia Firm-Miami and assists with drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing a wide range of matters for the firm’s clients. Prior to joining the firm, Shannon clerked for firms in the Latin entertainment industry and gained exposure to the business and legal side of art in Spanish-speaking countries. Shannon grew up in Mexico City and, in law school, focused her curriculum on Spanish contract drafting. She is interested in the intersection of Ibero-American art in the Anglo market and the exposure of such artists into the global mainstream.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ FLORIDA
EDUCATION ︎ B.S. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS & J.D. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW
Rachel Feigelson is an associate at the Zia Firm-NY and assists with drafting and reviewing a wide range of matters for the firms’ clients. After graduating from Boston University, Rachel was named a Top Entrepreneur of 2020 by Yahoo Finance. At Southwestern Law School, Rachel won first place in her law school’s negotiation competition, was a Dean’s Merit Scholar, received an award of excellence in Trademark Law, and was a Lead Article Editor for law journal. Rachel is excited to help assist the Zia Firm’s incredibly talented clients.
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ CALIFORNIA & NEW YORK (PENDING)
EDUCATION ︎ B.S. BOSTON UNIVERSITY & J.D. SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL
BAR ADMISSIONS ︎ CALIFORNIA & NEW YORK (PENDING)
EDUCATION ︎ B.S. BOSTON UNIVERSITY & J.D. SOUTHWESTERN LAW SCHOOL
Lucas Villalobos runs national operations for The Zia Firm – managing business development for the firm and handling various day-to-day needs to ensure everything runs smoothly for clients. He graduated from Yale University in 2019 with a B.A. in Political Science and dedicated most of his studies to the intersection of Music and Law. Prior to his time at The Zia Firm, Lucas worked in artist management focusing mainly on the electronic music space. In his free time outside of the firm, Lucas plays music with friends, manages an artist, and enjoys riding his bike around Los Angeles. With both his academic and professional experience in music, Lucas hopes to help artists navigate the industry and see all their creative endeavors come to fruition.
EDUCATION ︎ B.A. YALE UNIVERSITY
EDUCATION ︎ B.A. YALE UNIVERSITY