Bernie Lawrence-Watkins

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins is a seasoned principal attorney at the law firm of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC, concentrating in the areas of Entertainment, Media Technology, Licensing, Copyright, Trademark, Business Transactions, Litigation, and Corporate Formations.  Her clients include Grammy® Award-winning music producers, artists, and songwriters, some of who have sold over 10 million units in sales. She also represents major label record executives, Deejays, independent record labels, managers, music and film/television production companies, screenplay writers, and clothing designers. Ms. Lawrence-Watkins has over nineteen years of experience in drafting and negotiating complex agreements ranging from licensing, employment, corporate transactions, to product endorsement and influencer deals on behalf of entertainment and corporate brands. Ms. Lawrence-Watkins’ sharp negotiating skills have earned her clients over millions of dollars in advances and residual income. She periodically appears as a guest lecturer and panelist at colleges, law schools and conferences nationally and internationally. 

Ms. Lawrence-Watkins began her legal career as a paralegal in 1996 at the law firm of Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton LLP formerly known as Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, and later worked as a contract attorney in the litigation department. In 1999, she left the large firm environment to work for the City of Atlanta as the Legal Specialist in the Office of Contract Compliance, while maintaining her legal practice on the side. In late 2002, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins left the City of Atlanta to operate her law firm full time. She served as a federal lobbyist for a period of 8 years representing the City of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, as she built a niche law practice representing platinum-selling music producers and songwriters.

Moreover, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins is a community activist. In addition to being  co-founder of several community-based organizations, in 2007 she co-founded Gather For Good, an annual networking and fundraising event seeking to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. From 2009 to 2013, she served as a volunteer lecturer for Literacy Action, a United Way Organization, and taught grooming and interviewing techniques to adults seeking to re-enter the workforce. In 2012, she became a STEM community partner/volunteer to TAG-Ed. In 2015, her firm partnered with the Atlanta John Marshall Law School and currently provides externship opportunities to law students seeking to learn the practice of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.