Reed Smith LLP

Music is emerging as a powerful alternative asset class, drawing private equity investment with its durable, recurring cash flows.

But the opportunity goes beyond catalog deals, spanning royalty platforms, analytics, and rights-backed financing – each with distinct legal considerations that directly impact value and risk.

In our latest article, Josh Love, Stephen Sessa, Anatoliy Rozental, Chris Sheaffer, and Amy Dunitz explore how investors are approaching music assets with sector-specific strategies - https://reedsmith.law/43qtQ70

The political winds around ESG have shifted, but environmental liabilities, greenwashing litigation, and cross-border regulatory obligations haven't gone anywhere.

For private equity firms, ESG diligence was never just about compliance – it’s about seeing the deal clearly.

Jennifer Smokelin and A.J. Wissinger of Reed Smith explain why it belongs on every deal checklist.

Link to article: https://reedsmith.law/4ofTfKo

Adam Massaro talks with retired judge turned mediation and arbitration consultant The Honorable Mark Bennett to explore “the mind of the decider” – how judges reason through unsettled law, ask the right questions, and arrive at logically sound results.

From raising your hand for opportunities to staying naturally curious and always skeptical, Judge Bennett shares hard-won insights on legal reasoning, the responsibility of the bench, and why he’s even turned to AI for legal questions in his post-judicial career.

🎧 Listen now: https://reedsmith.law/3RK2OVG

In people-driven businesses, the most valuable asset walks out the door every evening.

When key personnel leave after a private equity transaction – whether due to misaligned incentives, culture clashes, or having cashed out – revenue often follows them.

Andrew Houghton of Reed Smith explains why talent risk belongs at the center of deal structuring - https://reedsmith.law/43b0g5p

When a deal closes, seller liabilities often remain and harm new owners.

From False Claims Act settlements to sanctions violations and money laundering charges, PE firms are increasingly being held responsible for the sins of their predecessors.

Daniel Ahn and Lee Williams of Reed Smith explain how to structure around the risk: https://reedsmith.law/4vwbayN

Retail and restaurant M&A moves fast – but the legal risks move faster.

Working capital arbitrations, driven by inventory valuation, markdown reserves, and seasonal timing, are among the most litigated issues in retail private equity deals – and the underlying assumptions must stand up in a dispute.

Greg Speier and Katie Murphy of Reed Smith break it down - https://reedsmith.law/49yExrA

Founder of non-profit The Legal Mentor Network, Chrystal Mauro talks mentoring, bankruptcy law and the ongoing importance of stepping outside your comfort zone as she describes a career spanning over 20 years, taking in clerking, life as a Reed Smith associate and more recently work as an in-house counsel.

🎧 Listen now: https://reedsmith.law/4ubbMJ8

Investors eyeing the shipping market face a perfect storm: elevated asset prices, multi-year newbuild lead times, evolving environmental regulation, and geopolitical uncertainty.

With newbuilds often taking 3–4 years to generate revenue, aligning vessel delivery with fund lifecycles is critical. Strategic timing, regulatory diligence, and geopolitical stress-testing are now table stakes.

Susan Riitala and Tommy Albright of Reed Smith outline what sponsors should be thinking about before entering the market - https://reedsmith.law/4foiIPn