Nixon Peabody is proud of our many alumni who are forging exceptional careers in law and beyond. As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re excited to shine a light on the inspiring career journey of former NP partner and music industry executive Julian K. Petty. After building a successful practice at Nixon Peabody, Julian took his talent to the iconic Warner Records, where he now serves as Executive Vice President and head of businesses and legal affairs. Here, he works with some of the most acclaimed artists in the world on deals that are shaping the future of entertainment.
Julian recently spoke with NP colleagues Georgia Sackey and Alicia Johnson-Ishman about his career journey, and his efforts to advance diversity in entertainment law.
Tell us about your role at Warner Records.
As head of legal, I essentially operate as a general counsel for Warner. I’m responsible for all transactions—from recording and joint venture agreements to managing outside counsel on litigations. A big part of my job is providing counsel to the C-Suite on deals we should take on, companies we should potentially buy or partner with, people we should hire, and other high-level business decisions. When I am negotiating agreements, I’m making sure Warner is protected, and the contract language covers us, but mostly I’m focused on “high-level” business issues—securing rights, protecting our IP, generating income, and expanding our revenue streams.
One of the reasons you became an attorney is because you saw a dearth of diversity in law, particularly in the music industry. How do you use your role to open doors for other diverse people?
I've hired people of color; I've promoted people of color; I've mentored people of color; and I’ve given a significant part of my business when I left private practice to a partner who is a woman of color. But what stands out the most is the Warner Blavatnik Music Center at Howard. In the aftermath of the George Floyd travesty, all the different record labels committed a significant amount of money to combat racial injustice. At the time, I was on the board of Warner Blavatnik Social Justice Fund, and in that role, I was able to help establish a music business center at Howard University, with the goal of increasing the pipeline of Black executives in the music business. In the music business especially, a lot of the people on stage, generating revenue, are people of color. But there’s a lack of representation in the C-Suite. So, a goal that is really close to my heart is to change those numbers. That’s one thing we’re accomplishing through the Center at Howard.
How can we as attorneys increase diversity at law firms?
Law firms should have a larger footprint at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. When firms are recruiting, they have to dig a little deeper and look at schools servicing women and people of color that are producing high-quality students. I think associates should encourage friends to take that leap as well.
What it all comes down to is your mentors. If you have good mentors, you have a great experience. If you have no mentors, then you’re just out in the ocean, especially if you’re a person of color and you’re a first-generation law student. We have to do that outreach and be there for each other.
What are you most proud of professionally and personally to date?
What we’re doing with the Warner/Blavatnik Center is going to be something special, especially as people who went through the program go on to pursue big careers. I’ve already encountered a few graduates, and these are just early days. When we’re 10 or 15 years down the line, and you have a CEO, or COO, or a partner at a law firm who’s been through the Warner Center—that to me is really affecting change. And making partner at a big firm. I didn’t have a lot of examples of Black partners in law firms; the numbers were dismal. So achieving that milestone is something I’m very proud of.
On the personal side—my two little girls, Genevieve and Grace. They’re turning out to be spicy, intelligent, remarkable girls.
What advice would you give to lawyers who want to break into entertainment law?
One of the most successful routes I've seen is through BESLA, the Black Entertainment Sports Lawyers Association. That organization connects you with so many high-power people in the space. I don’t think there is another vehicle in which you get so many talented lawyers from the entertainment industry in one space. BESLA is one of the premier organizations I’ve seen work time and time again.
The advice I always give to associates is, one of the best things you can do is provide value to your network. It can be as simple as sending someone an industry article. Everyone else is just taking, taking, taking, so when you are actually giving something, people notice it and will take your call.
What are your current professional goals?
I took the job at Warner because I was promised that I would be more than a lawyer. I wasn’t actively looking for a job at the time, I was happy at Nixon. But when the opportunity came up, I knew it was unique. There weren’t any other Black people in this role at the major record labels, and these jobs come up so infrequently—I knew I had to give it a hard look. At Warner, they told me, you wouldn’t just be a lawyer, you would play a role in building this iconic brand. And that has been true. So, for me, the goal is to get Warner Record to Number 1. How we do that is by signing acts and creating stars.
