Paul Irvine

Paul joined Paul Sanderson’s firm in August 1995 as an entertainment paralegal. But Paul’s relationship with the firm actually began years earlier. He was Paul Sanderson’s first musician client (1983). He’s come full circle and has established a unique position for himself in the firm and the music industry itself. He is, to the best of our knowledge, Canada’s only entertainment paralegal in a firm servicing primarily music industry clients.

Expertise

As an entertainment paralegal, he services songwriters, recording artists, producers, artist managers, independent record companies, music publishers and others in the music industry in all aspects of the business, including contract review, negotiations and drafting; consultation, artist development and solicitation; trade-mark and corporate matters; dispute resolution relating to music contracts and copyright matters; assisting and advising clients in the preparation of funding applications and company proposals / business plans.

Experience

Paul has extensive and substantial experience drafting and negotiating contracts relating to the North American, European and Asian music industries. He has successfully negotiated and secured international licences and publishing agreements for many Canadian recording artists and companies. His extensive international experience gives him an edge when helping artists and companies. Paul also has considerable expertise in record production, publishing and foreign licensing agreements.

Paul represents his clients with integrity and provides practical solutions, alternatives and strategies to help them succeed. He is clearly an asset to Sanderson Entertainment Law - a firm that takes pride in providing realistic, informed advice based on practical experience.

Music Maker

His practical experience in the music industry itself is not only impressive, but also extensive. He released his 14-song singer-songwriter debut, “Faux Pop – Vol. 1” in 2012. As an artist, he performs solo and with his band, Paul Irvine & His Soulless Young Devils (www.paulirvine.ca). As a producer, engineer, arranger and songwriter, Paul has worked with some of Canada’s finest musical talent, including The Philosopher Kings (Sony-BMG). He has released records under his Hammerhead Records label (Earth Baby and Weirdstone) and has been involved in all aspects of an album release: from producing and recording; to mastering, sales, marketing and distribution.

Paul’s musical compositions and productions, "This Harbourtown," as performed by Mark James Fortin and "Wildwood Dream," as performed by K.C. Carter garnered considerable radio and TV airplay. Both songs scored high on the charts. His production and arranging work on Blue Room’s "Spare Change" and "Who’s On The Telephone?" no doubt helped the band hit #1 for many weeks on the BRAVO! Video charts. He has written and scored for film, TV and jingles.

As an accomplished flute, saxophone and keyboard player he has recorded and toured with many notable artists, including Corey Hart, Ronnie Hawkins, Georgie Fame, The Partland Brothers and Goddo.

Paul participates in various conferences including:

• Canadian Music Week, Toronto, ON

• North By NorthEast, Toronto, ON

• South by South West, Austin, Texas

• MIDEM in Cannes, France

• Hamilton Music Conference, Hamilton, ON

• Western Canadian Music Awards and Conference (MB - BC)

Paul has participated as a panelist / moderator / speaker with:

• Canadian Music Week

• Pop Montreal - Pop and Policy Conference

• East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) and Conference

• Queen’s Conference of the Arts and Business - Keynote Address

• Ontario Media Development Corporation (Seminar)

• Guild of Canadian Film Composers (Seminar)

• International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT)

• Durham College

• NOTA

• Hamilton Music Conference

• Western Canadian Music Awards and Conference (WCMA)

• Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production (Instructor)