Joseph Serling - jls@srfllp.com
Joseph L. Serling graduated fromMamaroneck High School in Mamaroneck , New York , in 1961, and then attended the University of Denver
Wayne D. Rooks - wdr@srfllp.com
Wayne D. Rooks received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School in 1970. Wayne began his legal career in 1971 as an associate with the firm Rosen, Seton & Sarbin working with clients such as Dick Clark, Bill Graham and Jefferson Starship. In 1975, Wayne was hired by CBS as an attorney specializing in the area of recording and music publishing agreements and copyright matters, a job that led to the position of Senior Director of Business Affairs for CBS Records and CBS Music Publishing. Wayne began his independent legal practice in 1984 focusing on transactional entertainment law and, in 1990, joined Joseph L. Serling and Nicholas C. Ferrara to establish Serling Rooks & Ferrara LLP.
Wayne has represented numerous recording artists, from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends to the most current artists,, as well as producers and Grammy and Emmy award-winning songwriters.. Wayne represents a number of record companies and music publishers, both foreign and domestic, as well as artist managers and booking agencies. Recently, he has expanded his practice to include a number of top equestrian trainers, breeders and riders, including a 2004 Olympics contender.
Wayne is a member of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A., the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, the National Music Publishers’ Association and the Country Music Association and serves on the Board of Advisors of the Woody Guthrie Foundation.
Nicholas C. Ferrara - ncf@srfllp.com
Since his undergraduate days at New York University in the early 1980’s, Nicholas Ferrara has been involved in the music industry. Nick credits NYU classmate Jason Flom (founder of Lava Records and former CEO of Atlantic Records) with giving Nick his start in the music business. During a 1983 West Coast trip, Nick discovered an independent EP by RATT in Tower Records. Nick facilitated the signing of the band by Atlantic’s President Doug Morris and RATT went on to record platinum-selling albums for the label.
After Nick received his Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School in 1986, he practiced entertainment law and corporate litigation for three years. Doug Morris hadn’t forgotten Nick’s keen ear and in 1989 he persuaded Nick to join Atlantic’s A&R staff. In 1992, Nick joined Joseph Lloyd Serling and Wayne Rooks as a partner in the new firm of Serling Rooks & Ferrara LLP.
Mike McKoy - mlm@srfllp.com
Michael L. McKoy received his B.A. from the University of Florida in 1992 and graduated from New York Law School in 1996. After working in-house at for both indy and major labels, Mike joined Serling Rooks and Ferrara in 1997. Currently, Mike is a partner at the firm and represents a wide range of clients including current multi-platinum groups, Grammy-winning artists, classic independent bands, contemporary labels and singer/songwriters.
J. Reid Hunter - reid@srfllp.com
J. Reid Hunter received his Bachelor of Science in 1983 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Juris Doctor in 1986 from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Reid began his legal career working in the intellectual property and computer law sections of the Atlanta law firm Hurt, Richardson, Garner, Todd & Cadenhead. After serving as General Counsel for an Atlanta-based division of Dun & Bradsteet, Reid left the high technology sector to pursue his first love. He began representing local recording artists and one of his first artists earned a platinum album and a Grammy nomination on his first major label release. Reid moved to New York to join the firm of Serling Rooks & Ferrara in 2000.
Reid handles a wide variety of clients including Grammy-winning and multiple platinum recording artists, producers, managers, independent record labels and music industry executives.
Reid is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the New York State Bar. Reid speaks frequently on music law and music industry topics and was an adjunct professor in the Music Industry program of the School of Music at Georgia State University before moving to New York City. Reid recently received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, "AV."
Jeffrey Worob - jaw@srfllp.com
Jeffrey Worob received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in 1991 and was awarded his Juris Doctor from the Emory University School of Law in 1994. Jeff began his career at the firm of Wells, Jaworski, Liebman & Paton. Following this position, Jeff was an associate at the music industry law firm of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit, Montone & Hayes. Jeff joined Serling Rooks & Ferrara, LLP in 2002 as an associate and is now a partner at the firm.
Jeff is responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of a full range of music industry clients, including recording artists, record companies, producers and managers. His practice involves the negotiation and drafting of a full range of music industry agreements, including joint venture, profit split, recording, music publishing and producer and manager agreements.
Nicole L. Giacco - nicole@srfllp.com
Joseph L. Serling graduated from
Wayne D. Rooks - wdr@srfllp.com
Wayne D. Rooks received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School in 1970. Wayne began his legal career in 1971 as an associate with the firm Rosen, Seton & Sarbin working with clients such as Dick Clark, Bill Graham and Jefferson Starship. In 1975, Wayne was hired by CBS as an attorney specializing in the area of recording and music publishing agreements and copyright matters, a job that led to the position of Senior Director of Business Affairs for CBS Records and CBS Music Publishing. Wayne began his independent legal practice in 1984 focusing on transactional entertainment law and, in 1990, joined Joseph L. Serling and Nicholas C. Ferrara to establish Serling Rooks & Ferrara LLP.
Wayne has represented numerous recording artists, from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends to the most current artists,, as well as producers and Grammy and Emmy award-winning songwriters.. Wayne represents a number of record companies and music publishers, both foreign and domestic, as well as artist managers and booking agencies. Recently, he has expanded his practice to include a number of top equestrian trainers, breeders and riders, including a 2004 Olympics contender.
Wayne is a member of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A., the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, the National Music Publishers’ Association and the Country Music Association and serves on the Board of Advisors of the Woody Guthrie Foundation.
Nicholas C. Ferrara - ncf@srfllp.com
Since his undergraduate days at New York University in the early 1980’s, Nicholas Ferrara has been involved in the music industry. Nick credits NYU classmate Jason Flom (founder of Lava Records and former CEO of Atlantic Records) with giving Nick his start in the music business. During a 1983 West Coast trip, Nick discovered an independent EP by RATT in Tower Records. Nick facilitated the signing of the band by Atlantic’s President Doug Morris and RATT went on to record platinum-selling albums for the label.
After Nick received his Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School in 1986, he practiced entertainment law and corporate litigation for three years. Doug Morris hadn’t forgotten Nick’s keen ear and in 1989 he persuaded Nick to join Atlantic’s A&R staff. In 1992, Nick joined Joseph Lloyd Serling and Wayne Rooks as a partner in the new firm of Serling Rooks & Ferrara LLP.
Mike McKoy - mlm@srfllp.com
Michael L. McKoy received his B.A. from the University of Florida in 1992 and graduated from New York Law School in 1996. After working in-house at for both indy and major labels, Mike joined Serling Rooks and Ferrara in 1997. Currently, Mike is a partner at the firm and represents a wide range of clients including current multi-platinum groups, Grammy-winning artists, classic independent bands, contemporary labels and singer/songwriters.
J. Reid Hunter - reid@srfllp.com
J. Reid Hunter received his Bachelor of Science in 1983 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Juris Doctor in 1986 from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Reid began his legal career working in the intellectual property and computer law sections of the Atlanta law firm Hurt, Richardson, Garner, Todd & Cadenhead. After serving as General Counsel for an Atlanta-based division of Dun & Bradsteet, Reid left the high technology sector to pursue his first love. He began representing local recording artists and one of his first artists earned a platinum album and a Grammy nomination on his first major label release. Reid moved to New York to join the firm of Serling Rooks & Ferrara in 2000.
Reid handles a wide variety of clients including Grammy-winning and multiple platinum recording artists, producers, managers, independent record labels and music industry executives.
Reid is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the New York State Bar. Reid speaks frequently on music law and music industry topics and was an adjunct professor in the Music Industry program of the School of Music at Georgia State University before moving to New York City. Reid recently received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, "AV."
Jeffrey Worob - jaw@srfllp.com
Jeffrey Worob received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in 1991 and was awarded his Juris Doctor from the Emory University School of Law in 1994. Jeff began his career at the firm of Wells, Jaworski, Liebman & Paton. Following this position, Jeff was an associate at the music industry law firm of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit, Montone & Hayes. Jeff joined Serling Rooks & Ferrara, LLP in 2002 as an associate and is now a partner at the firm.
Jeff is responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of a full range of music industry clients, including recording artists, record companies, producers and managers. His practice involves the negotiation and drafting of a full range of music industry agreements, including joint venture, profit split, recording, music publishing and producer and manager agreements.
Nicole L. Giacco - nicole@srfllp.com
Nicole Giacco received her Bachelor of Arts from New York University in 1994 and her Juris Doctor in 2000 from Brooklyn Law School.
Nicole has had experience on both sides of the music industry, working first for a record label and then a music law firm. Nicole first worked at V2 Records as an in-house attorney. In 2002, Nicole joined Serling Rooks & Ferrara as an associate where she has represented recording artists and independent record labels.
Nicole is a member of the New York State Bar Association, where she is a member of the section on Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law.
Nicole has had experience on both sides of the music industry, working first for a record label and then a music law firm. Nicole first worked at V2 Records as an in-house attorney. In 2002, Nicole joined Serling Rooks & Ferrara as an associate where she has represented recording artists and independent record labels.
Nicole is a member of the New York State Bar Association, where she is a member of the section on Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law.
Ashley P. Collier - ashley@srfllp.com
Ashley received her Juris Doctorate in 2003 from Baylor School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology from Southern Methodist University in 2000. She practiced litigation in