Ryan Schmidt

Originally hailing from New Hampshire, Georgia transplant Ryan Schmidt is a Partner at Bowen Schmidt. A lawyer passionate about protecting the rights of creatives and business owners, Ryan’s entertainment law and corporate practice focuses on music law, online influencers, copyright, generative AI, and contract disputes. 

Ryan, who toured extensively as a singer/songwriter prior to law school has been featured on the NBC’s “The Voice” and Apple iTunes’ “New Music Page” and was named “Critics’ Choice” at the Starbucks Music Makers Competition. As a professional musician, he experienced firsthand the cutthroat nature of the business and the restrictive contracts creatives are too often asked to sign. Answering the call to be a fighter for his fellow artists, Ryan knew he needed to pursue a career in law. And so, Ryan attended Belmont University College of Law in Nashville, where he graduated at the top of his class, summa cum laude, after serving as Executive Officer for both Belmont’s Law Review and Federalist Society.

Before joining the Georgia Bar, Ryan clerked for a Nashville-based law firm representing clients in the music industry, fine arts, and digital media. Since then, he has represented countless clients in various business and entertainment matters including complex copyright litigation involving a certified Multi-Platinum global hit and an unprecedented catalog sale for a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.

For Ryan, being an advocate for entertainment professionals is not only his duty but also his privilege. To him, becoming the first entertainment law firm to receive the National ELITE Firm of the Year at the Game Changer’s Summit, is “a milestone that reflects our relentless pursuit of justice for our creative clients.”