It started as a means to an end. Now it’s a passion filled career. Odell Mitchell III gives us a peak behind the curtain at life as an entertainment lawyer running his own firm, as a single father of two young girls, and as an African American man in the legal industry.
Key moments:
- A glimpse into Entertainment Law (05:51)
- Juggling single fatherhood and running a law firm (22:43)
- Music and performance in the time of Covid-19 (27:17)
- Being African American in a creative industry versus legal industry at large (30:56)
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MEMORABLE QUOTES
“For me as an African American male we usually cannot like look back and see a lot of our lineage – or it’s harder to do. And so that’s something I hold very dear to me. The fact that I have that. So, I’ve always tried to incorporate it somehow.”
“As things have moved from more analog to more digital it has opened up so much more opportunity for artists and creatives alike…. There are more places where they could have control. But it also means there are more places for other entities to try to take back control.”
“These days people want to like who they’re working with. They want to feel like they have access to you. They want to feel like they can connect with you. And those things in a lot of ways are imperative [now], whereas they might have been ‘nice to have’ not even that long ago.”
“I’m certainly not shy about being a single parent. I don’t think you can be…. I am fortunate that I am able, at this point to enlist the right level of support. I don’t have a lot of people around me – I do most of it by myself – but I have a few trusted avenues…. I think it’s really hard for single parents and it gets missed a lot there. Again, especially for women in the workforce.”
CONNECT WITH ODELL MITCHELL III
Odell practices in the heart of Chicago, IL. He earned a BM in Music Business and an independent study in graphic design from Millikin University. He earned his JD from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Prior to founding Thirdinline Legal, Odell operated as a manager, recording engineer, producer and creative director. As a musician and visual artist himself, he understands the needs of the creative entrepreneur firsthand. With over 10 years of experience in the arts and entertainment industries, Odell is pleased to unite his passions of creativity and the law to provide excellent legal services to other entertainment, business, and creative professionals.
Third in Line Legal: www.thirdinlinelegal.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odellmitchelliii/
Instagram: @odellcommaesq
Twitter: @odellcommaesq
Email Odell Mitchell III: odell@thirdinlinelegal.com
CONTINUE EXPLORING
- “Billie Eilish’s Virtual Concert Is the Rare Livestream Done Right” Rolling Stone, October 2020
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/billie-eilish-livestream-virtual-concert-1080748/ - “The Legal Take on the Taylor Swift Recording Dispute” Best Lawyers, December 2019
https://www.bestlawyers.com/article/taylor-swift-recording-contract-controversy/2747 - “Tidal, Kanye West Face Class Action Lawsuit Over ‘The Life of Pablo’” Rolling Stone, April 2016
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tidal-kanye-west-face-class-action-lawsuit-over-the-life-of-pablo-45213/
WHAT ODELL IS LISTENING TO
- The Temptations
“The Last Temptation” Rolling Stone, August 2018
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-last-temptation-2-707557/ - Bring Me the Horizon
“Bring Me The Horizon announce new EP, featuring Babymetal and Amy Lee” NME, October 2020
https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/bring-me-the-horizon-new-album-october-30-2785630 - Shepherd
“Shepherd’s ‘Gametime’ is the undoubted sports anthem of the year” Elite Sports NY, November 2019
https://elitesportsny.com/2019/11/20/shepherd-gametime-is-undoubted-sports-anthem-of-year/
Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at feedback@1958lawyer.com
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It’s time for a change.
If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.
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Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.