Traci counsels entertainment and sports law clients, provides diverse perspectives and efficiently connects the firm’s clients to the legal services they need.
Traci serves as general counsel, entertainment, media and sports attorney to her clients. Traci also serves as outside general counsel in various industries including, healthcare, retail, and higher education clients. As outside general counsel to her clients, Traci has deep knowledge of the services offered by attorneys in the firm and quickly connects clients to the right teams of lawyers to achieve objectives and add value. She focuses her practice on counseling media and communications clients on legal issues related to the entertainment industry. Traci is the co-chair of Stinson's Entertainment and Media Law Group, a member of the Sports and Outdoor Recreation Group and the Intellectual Property & Technology Division.
Traci combines her deep understanding of client needs with a strong commitment to the tenets of diversity and inclusion, offering comprehensive solutions to key legal challenges to benefit the firm and its clients.
EDUCATION
New York University School of Law, J.D.
Spelman College, B.A., magna cum laude
RECOGNITIONS
Selected to the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America©
Chambers 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Award Short List - "Diversity & Inclusion Lawyer of the Year"
Named a 2020 "Notable Women in Law" by the Twin Cities Business Magazine, October/November 2020
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES
American Bar Association
National Bar Association
Georgia State Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Minority Corporate Counsel Association
Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
Sports Lawyers Association
Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable
Thomson Reuters Institute Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board
Mitchell Hamline Gateway to Legal Education Advisory Board
National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section, Executive Committee
Planned Parenthood of North Central States, Board Member
Children's Minnesota Health Care Foundation, Board Member
OMBI Group Foundation, Board Member
VocalEssence, Former Board Member and Vice Chair
ADMISSIONS
Minnesota
California
New York
Georgia
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
PRACTICES & INDUSTRIES
Entertainment & Media
Intellectual Property & Technology
Sports & Recreation
Private Business
IP & Technology Transactions
EXPERIENCE
Traci has decades of experience negotiating with entertainment venues related to artist performances and tour representation. Traci has negotiated multimillion dollar entertainment agreements with worldwide entertainment companies, for publishing administration, merchandise, recorded music and performing rights organizations. Traci also works to closely protect her clients’ intellectual property content through social media influencer, option and literary rights, life story rights and non-disclosure agreements.
She provides legal counsel to leading communications and media clients by utilizing her multijurisdictional experience to serve the legal and business interests of recognized names in the music, television, film and sports industries—including recording artists, independent record companies, music publishers, actors, authors, songwriters, producers, managers and production companies.
Traci also serves as general counsel to collegiate, professional and retired athletes in their individual business and philanthropic pursuits. Traci works with collegiate athletes to assist with understanding the laws surrounding the new name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NIL interim policy.
She also works closely with Stinson’s estate planning professionals to coordinate the implementation of estate and charitable planning for her entertainers and professional athlete clients.
Traci has represented artist's rights as related to negotiations with galleries, museums and higher education institutions focusing on valuation, authenticity and protection of copyright and other intellectual property rights. Traci has advised on the practicalities of moving artwork, art handling and insurance considerations.
Traci previously served as general counsel for an internationally recognized recording studio where she advised on legal strategies for the business and entertainment entities.
Before joining Stinson, Traci practiced law in New York and California, where she was recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for her exceptional litigation skills. She was appointed a Hearing Officer to the Los Angeles County Civil Service Commission, where she presided over employment and labor disputes.
She is an active member of several charitable and professional organizations and is a sought-out speaker on entertainment law, sports law, celebrity philanthropy and diversity, equity and inclusion. Traci is a mentor to many of the firm's attorneys as she formerly served as the co-chair of the Stinson Employee Resource Group for Attorneys of Color. Traci currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
