The School of Law and the UB Law Alumni Association present:
Behind the Music
A Conversation with John Simson '78: Composer, Manager, Attorney & Entrepreneur
Monday, April 7, 2025
John Simson ’78 has worked in the music industry since 1971 as an artist, songwriter, and entertainment lawyer. He managed Grammy winner Mary Chapin Carpenter, advised Harry Belafonte, and spent decades on copyright and business law.
As Executive Director of SoundExchange (2001–2010), he helped launch the platform, which has since distributed over $8 billion in royalties. An Emmy-nominated music supervisor and leading artists’ rights advocate, he has been featured in major media, lectured widely, and taught Entertainment Law at Washington College of Law and Georgetown Law.
Questions? Please contact Prof. Nellie Drew at hdrew@buffalo.edu.