Attorneys

PRINCIPAL attorney

Kenneth Helmer

Kenneth A. Helmer has navigated a broad array of entertainment transactions, representing individual talent and serving as business affairs counsel for creative enterprises and legacy estates. 

A Los Angeles based attorney with years of experience in the music industry, Mr. Helmer represents recording artists, songwriters, composers, performers and record producers.  He has represented award-winning film, television and gaming composers and songwriters.  His clients' music can be heard in a variety of successful television programs, video games and films, including academy award nominated "best picture" category films.

In his capacity as business affairs counsel, Mr. Helmer has represented independent film production companies, record labels, music publishing companies, music libraries, managers, festival concert promoters and other businesses.  He has overseen projects that involve independently facilitated financing, as well as major studio distribution.              

Mr. Helmer has over a decade of experience litigating in State and Federal Courts, which informs his continuing practice as an entertainment transactions and business attorney.  While a Senior Counsel with Helmer Friedman, LLP, he represented individual litigants in a variety of employment related matters, discrimination and business disputes.  His successful argument in the United States District Court resulted in a published and widely recognized decision impacting the emerging area of social media discovery. 

Law & Politics Magazine and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine twice recognized Mr. Helmer as a Southern California "Rising Star" in the categories of Arts and Entertainment; and Employment Law.  He was previously an Associate with Helmer Friedman, LLP (a leader in employment litigation), a Partner of Bennett, Callie & Helmer (a botique entertainment transactions firm), and a legal intern in Business Affairs for Activision, Inc. (a leading interactive, entertainment software and gaming company). 

Active in the creative arts community, Mr. Helmer has provided legal counsel to the Society of Composers and Lyricists, has been a guest lecturer at the Musicians Institute, and contributed to the essential music industry resource book,  "The Craft and Business of Songwriting." 

Education

UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor

UC BERKELEY
B.A., Political Science, with high honors

Activities & Affiliations

• California Copyright Conference, Member
• Association of Independent Music Publishers, Member
• ASCAP, an affiliated Composer and Publisher
• Society of Composers and Lyricists, Special Friend

Bar Admissions

• California