Atlanta Entertainment Lawyer Aurielle Brooks Aims To Trailblaze a Path for Women In Music
Rising Atlanta entertainment attorney Aurielle Brooks has her vision set on creating a lasting legacy for women in the music industry. Her story first started with ambition aspiring to be one of the greats in the world of music and entertainment, instilled with a desire to inspire how music and culture have an impact on people. She was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30, Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Billboard’s Top Women in Music, Forbes The Culture 50 Champions, Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers of 2020, 2021, and 2022, the Top 40 Black Lawyers in America, Top 50 Attorneys of 2019, and a certified Master in Negotiations by Harvard. Aurielle has negotiated deals generating millions of dollars in a short period. Aurielle has negotiated or assisted with many major projects and deals including the separation of Bobby Shmurda from his label and so many others. These accolades alone doesn’t limit the 31-year attorney but empower her effective ways of bringing the best out of others’ inner potential, giving her brand true authenticity.
Aurielle Brooks is an associate attorney at Arrington & Phillips, LLP, where she focuses on entertainment, intellectual property, and business law. Aurielle began her career by obtaining a scholarship to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, allowing her to plant greater roots in her hometown during which time she began working with Def Jam Records and Street Execs Management. Aurielle has the pleasure of representing and working with a wide variety of high-profile clients, award-winning entertainers, multi-platinum recording artists and producers, rising stars, and more within the music, film, and television industry, including Chi Chi, Kevin Gates, Bow Wow, NBA Youngboy, Bino Rideaux, Gucci Mane’s artist BigWalkDog, DC Young Fly, Quando Rondo, Lil Keed, TnTXD, Fredo Bang, RollingOut Magazine, and many more.
In representing hot new artist Rome Flynn, Aurielle has used her expertise in the music industry to assist his crossover from acting in the hit show “How To Get Away With Murder” into a budding R&B superstar. She has aimed to add versatility to her practice by representing numerous international producers who have worked with the likes of Timbaland, Da Baby, Chris Brown, Jason Derulo, and more. Also representing the creators of the timeless “Swag Surf” song, F.L.Y, in closing out tumultuous past business dealings.
Additionally, Aurielle has also secured a groundbreaking joint venture with Atlantic Records on behalf of renowned photographer Cam Kirk to sign and develop visual content creators and serve as its full-service creative division through Collective Gallery. As leadership for the company, Aurielle serves as the Vice President and General Counsel of the first ‘record label’ style company for photographers, Collective Gallery. Collective Gallery represents photographers and places them in high quality positions to work with top brands and celebrity artists/designers. A few of the clients they have worked with with over a short time include: Megan Thee Stallion and her Yardrunner ‘s shoot for Nike; Cardi B with Atlantic for the all-time favorite “Up”; Halle Berry x Netflix for the movie Bruised; Coach K and P from Quality Control Music, for Empower Atlanta Magazine cover; Latto for High Snobiety; JID and Earthgang for the cover of Red Bulletin; One Music Fest Atlanta; Taraji P. Henson at the Met Gala; Big Boi on his venture collab with Airbnb; Jack Harlow for Footwear News Magazine; partnering with Hot New Hip Hop, and many more.
Being licensed to practice in both New York and Georgia, Aurielle is able to serve a multitude of clients nationally. Aurielle sits on the board of non-profit organizations which fights against human trafficking and domestic violence. She Aurielle also ran her management consulting firm, The Chosen Circle, managing talent, providing marketing services and facilitating events with companies such as SundanceTV, RedBull, and VICE. After making a shift from full time running her company to practicing law, she now spends her spare time mentoring law students on passing the bar. At this early stage in her legal career, in just a few years of practicing, Aurielle has already served as a resource to others in speaking on numerous panels across the country discussing entertainment and social issues in the world today. Helping others to put their passions to action is Aurielle’s mantra that she is earnest to continually live by each day.
Tell me a little about yourself, your background, and what is the biggest achievement in your career?
AB: I’m an entertainment attorney based in Atlanta, GA. I work for Arrington & Phillips, LLP, under Vince Phillips, the co-founder of BME Records along with Lil Jon. There I focus on entertainment, intellectual property, and business law. I began my career by obtaining a scholarship to Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, allowing me to plant greater roots in my hometown. At John Marshall, I gained experience with Street Execs, Def Jam, and various law firms and started my own consulting and management company.
I also secured a groundbreaking joint venture with Atlantic Records and Athlete’s Foot on behalf of renowned photographer Cam Kirk to sign and develop visual content creators and serve as its full-service creative division through Collective Gallery. As a leader for the company, I serve as the Vice President and General Counsel of the first ‘record label’ style company for photographers, Collective Gallery.
I also sit on the board of non-profit organizations which fight against human trafficking and domestic violence. After making a shift from full-time practicing law to also running my company, I now spend my spare time mentoring law students on passing the bar. Helping others to put their passions to action is my mantra that I am earnest to continually live by each day.
One of the biggest achievements of my career was being named as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Music. This is a huge accolade that I have wanted all my life. Many told me it was nearly unattainable or discounted my abilities, but I stayed the course regardless of any detractors. I have been the only black woman entertainment attorney to have made the list alongside so many extremely talented peers in the entertainment industry.
Who were the early influences in your chosen career path?
AB: As a young child, I was heavily involved in the arts. I played various instruments like the violin, guitar, piano, and others. Since then, I knew I wanted to be involved in the arts in some form or fashion. My passion for the arts coupled with my interest in protecting those who share their talents with us all, the only best choice for me was to become an entertainment lawyer.
My early influences were attorney’s who were at the top of their game such as my boss Vince Phillips, Dina LaPolt, Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, Joel Katz, and my uncle who was the only close example of what the life of an entertainment lawyer may look like. I saw him constantly traveling and fighting for the best opportunities for his clients. Everything that I saw each of these individuals doing in their own right made my passion for this craft grow more everyday.
Aside from other individuals, I must say my biggest influence and motivation to reach for higher heights has always been my family. As the oldest of four children, I strived every day to set the best example for them. When asked about early influences or even “What is your why,” the biggest cause of me choosing this path has been rooted in family from the start and still remains to be that for me to this day.
Tell me about the challenges you’ve faced creating such an authentic story?
AB: Some challenges I’ve faced on my journey have been instances of being discounted due to my age or gender. This has happened on more occasions that one would like but in each instance, it was quickly seen why this type of behavior can have swift backlash. Whether it was other attorney’s when I was first starting out or individuals in the industry, this is something I unfortunately expected but you can never truly be prepared for. Nonetheless, I have never allowed any of these challenging individuals to have such an impact that they became any true sort of obstacle in my path.
What/who are a few of the brands that you represent?
AB: I have had the pleasure of working with a wide variety of high-profile clients, international brands, award-winning entertainers, multi-platinum recording artists and producers, rising stars and much more within the entertainment industry. Some of the clients and brands I’ve been blessed to work with include the likes of including NBA Youngboy, Rome Flynn, Bobby Shmurda, Lil Baby through his furnishing company Wolf Pack Global, Chi Chi, TnTXD, Kevin Gates, Gucci Mane’s artist BigWalkDog, Fredo Bang, DC Young Fly, Boston Richie, Bow Wow, Athlete’s Foot, Rolling Out Magazine, Red Bull, Nike, Reebok, and many more.
What is the Collective Gallery?
AB: As mentioned, Collective Gallery is the first ever photography label through which we represent photographers and place them in high quality positions to work with top brands and celebrity artists/designers. Outside of the photographers we sign to our label and directly represent, we also provide opportunities to our vast network of creatives across the globe. A few of the clients we have worked with include: Nike Yardrunner’s campaigns; Cardi B with Atlantic for the all-time favorite “Up”; Halle Berry x Netflix; Coach K and P from Quality Control Music, for Empower Atlanta Magazine cover; Latto; JID and Earthgang for the cover of Red Bulletin; One Music Fest Atlanta; Taraji P. Henson at the Met Gala; Big Boi on his venture collab with Airbnb; Jack Harlow for Footwear News Magazine; partnering with Hot New Hip Hop, Athlete’s Foot and many more.
Share with us your time at the Grammys
AB: As an entertainment attorney, attending the Grammy’s is a special moment. You are not only supporting your clients and representing your firm but you are also showing up and being present. Representation is so important, not just behind the scenes but facially as well. Showing your face and being present to support, network, and build relationships is not just something that helps you and your firm but also helps your clients in the long run. While out in LA for the awards show, I obtained new clients, brokered new deals and relationships, and found better ways to serve my clients that I was fortunate to sit down with. That time of year is one of my favorites because it puts so many people working in one industry, in one space for an entire week, all looking to grow and build. It’s nothing short of inspirational.
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