Andrew Atkins was called to the bar in 1986 and focuses his legal practice in the field of entertainment. Andrew worked as Legal and Business Affairs for a leading music talent agency in Canada for the first two years of his practice. He spent the next three years practicing law with the entertainment group at Russell & DuMoulin (now Faskin Martineau) one of Vancouver’s pre-eminent law firms before founding Atkins & Company in 1991.
Andrew divides his time between the film, television and music industries acting for film and television producers and distributors, recording companies, management companies and recording artists. He currently provides legal services to several of Canada’s preeminent independent television producers and music companies. Andrew acts for both new and established clients and advises on issues from rights acquisition through to the distribution and exploitation of finished projects. For music clients Andrew addresses a complete range of issues including recording contracts, music licensing, management agreements and performer agreements. Andrew also advises clients on corporate matters such as incorporations, partnerships, shareholder agreements, and corporate financing.
Andrew is a frequent panelist at forums and conferences related to film, television and music issues. He has lectured extensively at the University of British Columbia Law School and for Continuing Legal Education seminars on entertainment law. In the past he has taught music law and business courses at the Trebas Music Institute. Andrew is currently listed in the LEXPERT Directory as a leading practitioner in Entertainment Law.
Andrew studied at the University of British Columbia, Universite de la Sorbonne, Universite d’Aix-Marseilles III in France and the Université de Sherbrooke. He received his law degree from the University of Victoria in 1985. When Andrew is not in the office he can usually be found spending time with his family, working on his boat, or playing sports such as hockey, rowing and tennis.