Dina LaPolt ’90 (Music)
Dina LaPolt is the founder and owner of LaPolt Law, P.C., one of the most influential entertainment law firms in the industry—and the only firm of its stature solely owned by a female attorney. Based in Los Angeles, she is a powerhouse in entertainment and intellectual property law, representing global superstars across music, film, television, and fashion. She is renowned for her expertise in handling complex legal and business matters, including copyrights, trademarks, and rights of publicity.
Dina’s contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her some of its highest honors. She has been named one of Billboard’s Executives of the Year and was inducted into the Billboard Women in Music Hall of Fame. In 2019, she became the youngest attorney—and only the second woman in history—to receive The Recording Academy’s prestigious Service Award at its annual Entertainment Law Initiative event. In 2024, she was named the first-ever Billboard Top Music Lawyers’ Choice Award winner. Her influence is recognized across elite industry lists, including Billboard’s Power 100, The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers, Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report, and Super Lawyers. She has also received the 2022 Friendly House Visionary Award and the Thomas J. Moran Caron Music Award.
A fierce advocate for creators, Dina has played a pivotal role in shaping legislation that impacts the global entertainment industry. She was instrumental in drafting and passing the 2018 Music Modernization Act, the most significant update to U.S. copyright law in a generation, ensuring fairer compensation for songwriters in the digital age. She has also championed landmark legislation such as the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act and the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which safeguards artists from having their lyrics used against them in court. She was a driving force behind the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act in Tennessee and is currently working on the No Fakes Act, a proposed federal law that would establish first-of-its-kind protections against unauthorized deepfakes.
Beyond her legal work, Dina is a sought-after speaker and media commentator on entertainment law. She co-founded and serves on the board of Songwriters of North America (SONA), a leading songwriter advocacy organization in the U.S., and is an executive leader of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC). She also serves on the boards of City of Hope’s Music, Film, and Entertainment Group and The Neil Lasher Music Fund.
In 2025, Dina expanded her impact beyond the legal world with the launch of LaPolt Media, a new venture dedicated to producing dynamic, thought-provoking content. As part of this initiative, she is releasing Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man’s World, a motivational book set for publication on October 6, which distills her decades of industry experience into a guide for success for women in competitive fields. Additionally, she will debut The Stiletto Room podcast in 2025, where she will engage in unfiltered conversations with trailblazing creatives, disruptors, and cultural icons. With LaPolt Media, she aims to amplify bold voices and inspire audiences through storytelling that is as unapologetic as she is.
A passionate advocate and force for change, Dina has been sober since April 19, 1998—a testament to her resilience and unwavering commitment to her clients and the entertainment industry.
