Allan B. Gelbard, Esq. is an 🏷️#attorney with a career spanning nearly three decades and a focus on First Amendment, media law, intellectual property, entertainment law, and civil litigation in both California and Federal courts. Since 1996, he has represented a broad spectrum of clients, including production companies, internet companies, producers, directors, publishers, actors, musicians, and DJs, providing counsel across all facets of the entertainment industry. His legal expertise includes state and federal litigation, criminal defense, transactional matters, federal records-keeping compliance, internet domain disputes, administrative proceedings, and the protection and licensing of copyrights and trademarks.
Gelbard holds significant leadership roles within legal and advocacy organizations. He serves as National Chair of the First Amendment Lawyer's Association and as President of Consensuality, Inc., a California nonprofit focused on 📝consent culture. He is also a founding member of the Electronic Music Alliance and has served as a board member of both the Free Speech Coalition—where he later provided representation and drafted legislation that became California Penal Code Section 1536.5—and the Los Angeles League of Arts. His legislative contributions have expanded business rights regarding seized records in California.
Throughout his career, Gelbard has been recognized and cited in prominent national and local publications, including The Daily Journal, The National Law Journal, California Lawyer, The Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at professional conferences, and he has lectured at law schools, universities, and music festivals. Beyond his legal practice, Gelbard is also an accomplished musician, recording engineer, and music producer. He is licensed to practice in California and is admitted to the bars of the Central, Southern, and Northern Districts of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Allan and I met through our 📝Gourmet Club.