What does it actually cost to not have a lawyer when you sign a music deal?

For songwriter and artist Parker Ainsworth, the answer was steep: a low flat fee for a song he wrote for a major motion picture — with performance royalties only, no mechanical rights, no sync income, no publishing revenue. And then the production company flipped his publishing to Concord.

In this episode, Anne and Brittany sit down with Parker to talk through exactly what happened, what he didn't know when he signed, and what he wishes he'd asked for. This one isn't hypothetical — it's a real deal with real consequences, and it's more common than you think.

Whether you're a musician, a filmmaker, a content creator, or anyone who's ever been handed a contract and told "it's standard" — this episode is for you.

Parker is also a student of Somatic Experiencing, trained in the tradition of founder Peter Levine, and is pursuing a path toward psychology with a focus on somatic healing, and we get into an insightful discussion about these teachings.

**What we cover:**

- What a work-for-hire clause actually means and why it costs you more than the upfront fee

- The royalties you're giving up when you sign without negotiating — performance, mechanical, sync, and publishing

- What the industry standard actually looks like (hint: $2,500 for a major film theme is not it)

- The one clause that would have changed everything for Parker

- How to know when you need an entertainment attorney before you sign

**Resource:** Download our Read Before You Sign guide, the first in the Series, specifically tailored for musicians, at the link below — it breaks down the key clauses every musician needs to understand before signing anything and includes negotiation scripts, red-flag clause explainers, and a step-by-step guide to reviewing your own deals. Get it at the link below.

---

**LINKS:**

- Read Before You Sign: Musicians ($37): https://mylawyerfriend.gumroad.com/l/rbys-musicians

- Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts through our website: https://mylawyerfriendpodcast.com/

- Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MyLawyerFriendPod

- Follow MLF on Instagram: @mylawerfriend.podcast

- Follow MLF on TikTok: @mylawyerfriendpodcast

- Substack: https://mylawyerfriend.substack.com/

---

My Lawyer Friend is hosted by Anne Easton, entertainment and corporate attorney, and Brittany Ledford, serial entrepreneur. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney.

AI is everywhere — in your business, your contracts, and your daily life. But should you let it replace your lawyer? Short answer: robots need limitations.

In this episode, entertainment attorney Anne Easton and serial entrepreneur Brittany Ledford break down how to actually use AI the right way — for research, first drafts, and efficiency — without getting yourself into legal trouble. They cover which contracts you can handle on your own (with a little AI help), which ones absolutely need an attorney's eyes, and the red-flag clauses that AI will never catch on its own. Plus, they dig into the real consequences when things go wrong — like attorneys getting sanctioned for submitting AI-generated briefs with fake case law.

AI is your assistant. Your attorney is your strategy.

---

What We Cover

- How attorneys (including Anne) actually use AI in their practice every day

- The golden rule: AI for efficiency, your attorney for strategy

- Contracts you can handle yourself vs. contracts that need a lawyer every time

- Red-flag clauses AI won't catch — indemnification, favored nations, personal exposure

- Real cases of AI-generated legal briefs with made-up citations

- Why AI doesn't know what it doesn't know (and neither do you)

- New laws on deepfakes and AI-generated content that every content creator and business owner needs to know

- Why you can't copyright AI-generated work without significant human input (we don’t discuss this on the podcast but it’s in the GUIDE [see below]).

---

Free & Paid Resources

**FREE: AI + Your Attorney Checklist**

Your quick-start guide to using AI the right way in your business and contracts. Includes a do/don't checklist, a breakdown of which contracts need attorney review, and key red-flag clauses to watch for.

→ Download free at mylawyerfriendpodcast.com (link in bio)

**FULL GUIDE: AI + Your Attorney — The Complete Breakdown ($47)**

Go deeper with clause-by-clause breakdowns, negotiation scripts for common scenarios, an expanded red-flag clause table, the latest AI and deepfake legislation affecting content creators and businesses, and AI copyright rules every entrepreneur needs to understand.

→ Available at mylawyerfriendpodcast.com

---

Listen & Watch

**Spotify:** Search "My Lawyer Friend" or visit the link in our bio

**YouTube:** Watch the full episode on the My Lawyer Friend YouTube channel — we'd love to see you there

**Apple Podcasts & everywhere you listen to podcasts**

---

Connect With Us

**Website:** mylawyerfriendpodcast.com

**Substack:** Subscribe for legal templates, negotiation scripts, and resources we don't share anywhere else

**Instagram & TikTok:** @mylawyerfriend.podcast; @mylawyerfriendpodcast

**Anne Easton:** Entertainment & corporate attorney (your lawyer friend) | Blakemore Law | blakemore-law.com

**Brittany Ledford:** Serial entrepreneur & your business buddy

---

Credits:

- Host, Producer, Creator: Anne Easton

- Co-Host, Producer, Creator: Brittany Ledford

- Production Services: Reasonable Volume for the services of Julie Carli and Elise Hu

- Producer: Jake Easton IV

- Editor: Todd Wiseman

- Producer: Keenan...

Episode 4 Overview: Is a prenup the ultimate romantic gesture or a total buzzkill? This week, just in time for Valentine’s Day, your favourite lawyer friend, Anne Easton, and business buddy, Brittany Ledford, are joined by a very special guest: Julia Rodgers, CEO and founder of HelloPrenup.

We’re diving deep into "The Business of Love and Law" to demystify why prenuptial agreements are actually a powerful tool for communication and financial clarity. From protecting your creative assets to the unsexy (but essential) reality of taxes, we’re breaking down how to navigate these big conversations without losing the spark. Whether you’re engaged, already married, or just curious about how law and love intersect, this episode is packed with expert insights and practical advice.

Listen Now: Tune in for an enlightening conversation that reframes legal protections as an act of partnership. Don't miss this episode as we explore how to build a solid foundation for your relationship while keeping your professional and personal interests secure!

Want More Resources? — Go check out our new guides that will now supplement each episode, found either on our website or on our Substack - My Lawyer Friend: Resources.

Where to Find Us:

1. Subscribe to My Lawyer Friend Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform.
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content:
5. 
   
6. 
   
7. Instagram: @mylawyerfriend.podcast
8. 
   
9. 
   
10. TikTok: @mylawyerfriendpodcast
11. 
    
12. 
    
13. Website: mylawyerfriendpodcast.com
14. 
    
15. 
    
16. 
    

Substack: https://substack.com/@mylawyerfriend?

Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Do you have questions about prenups or how to bring them up with a partner? Share your feedback and experiences with us on social media or through our website.

Next Episode Preview: Stay tuned for Episode 5!

Credits:

1. Host, Producer, Creator: Anne Easton