Silvino Edward Diaz

Silvino Edward Díaz, Esq. has over 10 years of experience representing world-renowned artists, entertainers and brands in major deals, lawsuits and as a general counsel. His practice includes industries such as music, arts, tech, crypto, media, publishing, data privacy, money services, small businesses, and others. Billboard Magazine recognized him as one of America’s Top Music Lawyers (2022). He is an author, professor, speaker, and mentor to thousands via his platform Starving Artists, a legal service and media channel for artists, creators and entrepreneurs.

Bar Admissions

• Florida (2019)
• U.S. District Court for the Federal District of Florida (2019):
• Puerto Rico (2014)
• U.S. District Court for the Federal District of Puerto Rico (2014): Approved examination

Schools

• University of Puerto Rico; Juris Doctor (2013)
• Villanova University; Bachelor’s in Business Administration (2010)
• Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola; High School (2006)

Awards

• Billboard Magazine – Top Music Lawyers [2022]
• Super Lawyers – Rising Stars, Sports and Entertainment [2021-2024]
• Marquis Who’s Who in America – Entertainment Law [2020]

Representative Matters

International Live TV Broadcasts

Lead counsel, and exclusive legal sponsor, for Rolling Stone en Español’s first annual Premios RSE 2023, a major awards show for the Latin Music industry, televised across Latin America. Oversaw, directed and led all legal aspects of the production.  Drafted, negotiated and executed Master Talent Agreements with all presenters, nominees and guests, with artists such as: Anuel AA, Carin León, Ivy Queen, Ozuna, Pedro Capó, Jay Wheeler, Tainy and others. Negotiated and executed major TV Broadcast Agreements with partner Warner Media for linear transmission on Turner Network Television (TNT), and non-linear streaming via HBOMax, securing critical revenue for the show. Procured and obtained Insurance Policies for general liability, and errors and omissions, for seven-figure dollar coverage. Procured and negotiated licenses for publishing, public performance and master recordings for all intellectual property assets on the Show, with labels such as: Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Chappell, Neon16 and others. Negotiated and secured performance licenses with international performance rights organizations such as: SAYCO (Colombia), SADAIC (Argentina), ACAM (Costa Rica), SACM (México) and others. Drafted, negotiated and executed agreements with all vendors, sponsors and suppliers, including: public relations agencies, event production and broadcast production affiliates. 

Music Industry Litigation

Represented emerging, established and legacy artists in disputing, litigating and terminating agreements with music companies – management, record label, publishing and distribution – saving clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in combined commissions, fees and legal expenses. Successfully negotiated resolutions that free clients from onerous contracts, without paying recoupable expenses, returning royalty advances, as well as recovering valuable intellectual property assets and account access. Established legal precedent in Puerto Rico courts regarding the unviability of  injunctive relief in seeking specific performance for unique personal services such as artistic obligations, further protecting entertainers from having unscrupulous companies enforce constitutionally prohibited conduct. Represented record label client in securing five-figure final judgment for damages against defaulting artist in contract litigation. 

Music Industry Dealmaking

Represented world-renowned music artists, producers and composers in major label deals for recording, publishing and distribution agreements, securing millions of dollars in combined advances, royalties, and production budgets. Negotiated on behalf of clients before major labels such as Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music, Rimas, SONAR, Nain, Cinq Music, ADA, Neon16, Aura Music and others.

Literary Publishing Dealmaking

Represented global editorial client in negotiating and settling publication deals for higher education textbooks and programs before major U.S. publishing houses. Successfully negotiated termination of licensing agreements, freeing up clients to pursue more lucrative independent deals with third party publishers and leading academic institutions.

Entertainment Industry General Counsel

Represented and counseled hundreds of clients in all aspects of their entertainment careers and businesses, including: entity setup and operations; intellectual property portfolio management; copyright and trademark prosecution; commercial permits and licenses; royalty administration; employee handbooks and workplace policies; tax incentives and withholdings; and others. Clients include: musicians, producers, composers, managers, labels, publishers, distributors, digital agencies, commercial filmmakers, art galleries, design studios, authors, radio personalities, TV on-air talent, podcasters, influencers, content creators, photographers, feature-length documentaries, video game designers, fashion designers, tattoo artists, online stores, resellers, boutiques. 

Tech Startup General Counsel

Represented and counseled Puerto Rico e-commerce startup in securing a six-figure seed funding round from accelerator program investors, allowing the expansion into multiple LATAM countries. Defended Puerto Rico logistics startup in six-figure founder lawsuit, successfully dismissing the suit in favor of the client. 

Civil Trial Advocacy

Successfully advocated on behalf of plaintiffs in Florida quiet title action trials, winning judgments recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars in real property value for clients.

Federal Discrimination Litigation

Represented global entertainment clients in high stakes federal sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and unpaid wages litigation. Overseeing all aspects of case management including: discovery, depositions, and dispositive motion practice, advocating for clients against potential six-figure damages and punitive relief. Defended consumer client in racial discrimination case against major airline, resulting in satisfactory settlement. Represented commercial clients in Equal Employment Opportunity Charges of Discrimination in employment.  

Ecommerce Automation Litigation

Represented commercial clients in disputes and lawsuits against ecommerce automation companies, with causes of action including: breach of contract, civil theft, conversion, unjust enrichment, misrepresentation, fraudulent and deceptive trade practices, wire fraud, bank fraud and others. Successfully negotiated settlements for damages, costs and attorneys fees. Successfully prevailed in obtaining five-figure judgments and damages awards from civil courts in favor of clients.

Federal Cryptocurrency Litigation

Represented cryptocurrency mining company in seven-figure federal litigation seeking recovery of critical inventory and damages from U.S. and Chinese suppliers.

Consumer Deceptive Trade Practices Litigation

Represented consumer plaintiff against national PACE financing lender and contractor for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act related to residential home improvement financing. Obtained treble damages judgment against contractor, including costs, interest and attorneys fee; and satisfactorily settled claims against lender defendant.

Media Appearances (TV / Print / Digital)

• Starving Artists (Youtube) [2016-Present]
• Chente Ydrach [2021-Present]
• Smash Hits Music [2021-Present]
• The Price of Business [2024]
• Ante Usted WLRN [2024]
• El Nuevo Día [2024]
• Mentores en Línea [2024]
• Seed Academy (2024)
• Rolling Stone en Español [2023]
• Beto Podcast [2022, 2023]
• Jose Galindez [2023]
• Pili, Raúl & La Música [2023]
• La Influencia [2022, 2023]
• La Maestría con Raúl Palacios [2023]
• Law Life & Biz [2023]
• Buckle Up! with Natalia Earle [2023]
• Mentor the Beast [2023]
• Gio Rosado [2023]
• Hablando Claro [2019, 2022]
• Más de lo Mismo (2022)
• El Market (2022)
• Las Que Son [2019-2021]
• Noise Colectivo [2020-2021]
• En la Casa PR [2020]
• Weird Times [2020]El Gazebo [2020]
• Cereal Empresarial [2019]
• Café en Mano [2019]
• Apoya Lo Nuestro [2019]
• Francamente Franco [2019]
• Capítulos Universitarios Cámara de Comercio de PR [2019]
• Estudio Celestino [2017]
• Dulce Compañía [2016]
• Sonando en Puerto Rico [2015-2015]
• Naufragios [2008]

Courses / CLEs / Webinars

• Student Practicum Program (University of Miami School of Law) [Fall 2024]
• Personal Finances for Artists (EPGD Law)
• Negotiating Music Contracts (EPGD Law)
• Sales Bootcamp (EPGD Law)
• Regalías en la Música (MicroJuris)
• Divorcing the Social Media Influencer (Lawline)
• Introduction to Intellectual Property Law – Graduate and Master’s (Atlantic University College) [2016 – 2017]

Publications

• EPGD Law Blog – staff author
• Microjuris – contributing author
• Mondaq – contributing authorRolling Stone en Español – guest author
• Starving Artists Newsletter – editor
• Diseñado en Puerto Rico – contributing author [2014-2017]

Books

• “Antología Incidental” [2022]
• La Salud” [2024]

Lectures & Presentations

• “Estrategias de Mercadeo para Servicios”, Universidad de Puerto Rico [2024]
• “Finanzas Personales para Inversionistas”; InvierteFest (Puerto Rico) [2023]
• “Propiedad Intelectual en la Academia”, Atlantic University College (Puerto Rico) [2017, 2023]
• “Propiedad Intelectual para Empresas”, Buena Vibra Group (Puerto Rico) [2023]
• “Crash Course: Aprende a Recolectar Regalías”, Tu Musica Urban Conference (Puerto Rico) [2023]
• “Productores: Música para Creadores”, Tu Musica Urban Conference (Puerto Rico) [2023]
• “Panel de Producción Musical”, Tu Musica Urban Mixer (Puerto Rico) [2023]
• “Negociación de Contratos Musicales”, Culture Urban Expo (Puerto Rico) [2023]
• “La Práctica del Derecho de Entretenimiento”, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico [2022]
• “Cybersecurity: Incident Response Plans”, City National Rochdale Advisors Summit (Puerto Rico) [2022]
• “Intellectual Property in Higher Education”, Atlantic University College, Puerto Rico), [2017]
• “Aspectos Legales de La Negociación”, Emprendimiento Creativo (Puerto Rico), [2017]
• “Face it, your brand ain’t yours”, H3 Tech Conference (Puerto Rico), [2015]
• “Entrepreneurship in the Arts”, PR House of Representatives (Puerto Rico) [2015]
• “Music and the Law”, University of Puerto Rico School of Law, (Puerto Rico) [2015]
• “Copyright Myths”, Boom Design Fair, (Puerto Rico) [2015] 

Associations / Committees

• Trusted Advisor (Member) [2024-Present]
• Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section (Member) [2021-Present]
• Artificial Intelligence Committee – EPGD Business Law (Member) [2023-Present]
• Business Networking International (Educational Coordinator) [2021-2023]