For students at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, opportunities to work across disciplines can be career-shaping. A standout example is Unispan Records, a student-run, independent record label where Hofstra Law students have previously participated and currently participate. It offers Hofstra Law students a unique chance to apply legal training in a real-world entertainment setting.
Working with peers in business, marketing, and production, law students engage directly with the music industry at Unispan contributing legal insight on contracts, intellectual property, and artist representation.
“It’s a unique and collaborative experience,” said Jada Davis, a third-year student. “We work with students from different departments handling a variety of projects including designing album cover artwork, creating marketing campaigns, and managing artists and repertoire.”
Learning the Entertainment Landscape
Founded in 2016 at the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (formerly the Center for Entrepreneurship), Unispan Records gives students across Hofstra University practical experience in the music industry while encouraging collaboration across schools. For Hofstra Law students, this environment provides important context for legal decision-making.
“The purpose of a lawyer is to advise others on legal issues but in order to do that to the best of your ability you have to acquire knowledge on the industry you’re working in,” Davis said. “Learning how the music industry works while getting familiar with key players and the type of work they do is the best way to do that. It helps you integrate yourself into the team and opens up a line of communication.”
Leota Blacknor, Executive in Residence for Unispan Records, said the program connects academic study with industry practice. “This program allows students to fulfill their passions while pursuing their academic degrees,” she said. “They get the opportunity to explore the dichotomous relationship between classroom learning and the realities of the music industry.”
The program’s structure helps Hofstra Law students understand how legal issues connect to creative and business decisions. Students work with artists, executives, and fellow student “executives” as Ms. Blacknor calls them on many areas such as contracts, branding, and rights management.
“Artists turn to their counsel before making any business decisions and contracts need to be carefully constructed before any creative process can begin,” said second-year student Noah Henry. “My work with my colleagues has taught me how to think as a lawyer, musician, producer, engineer, manager, and label all at once.”
Adapting to Shifts in the Music Industry
Hofstra Law students’ work at Unispan Records not only reinforces what they learn in the classroom but also prepares them to navigate new challenges in the field. Technological innovations, such as streaming and electronic production techniques, have expanded opportunities for broader stakeholder involvement.
