Traci counsels entertainment and sports law clients, provides diverse perspectives and efficiently connects the firm’s clients to the legal services they need.
Overview
Traci serves as general counsel, entertainment, media and sports attorney to her clients. Traci also serves as outside general counsel in various industries including, healthcare, retail, and higher education clients. As outside general counsel to her clients, Traci has deep knowledge of the services offered by attorneys in the firm and quickly connects clients to the right teams of lawyers to achieve objectives and add value. She focuses her practice on counseling media and communications clients on legal issues related to the entertainment industry. Traci is the co-chair of Stinson's Entertainment and Media Law Group, a member of the Sports and Outdoor Recreation Group and the Intellectual Property & Technology Division.
Traci combines her deep understanding of client needs with a strong commitment to the tenets of diversity and inclusion, offering comprehensive solutions to key legal challenges to benefit the firm and its clients.
Experience
Traci has decades of experience negotiating with entertainment venues related to artist performances and tour representation. Traci has negotiated multimillion dollar entertainment agreements with worldwide entertainment companies, for publishing administration, merchandise, recorded music and performing rights organizations. Traci also works to closely protect her clients’ intellectual property content through social media influencer, option and literary rights, life story rights and non-disclosure agreements.
She provides legal counsel to leading communications and media clients by utilizing her multijurisdictional experience to serve the legal and business interests of recognized names in the music, television, film and sports industries—including recording artists, independent record companies, music publishers, actors, authors, songwriters, producers, managers and production companies.
Traci also serves as general counsel to collegiate, professional and retired athletes in their individual business and philanthropic pursuits. Traci works with collegiate athletes to assist with understanding the laws surrounding the new name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NIL interim policy.
She also works closely with Stinson’s estate planning professionals to coordinate the implementation of estate and charitable planning for her entertainers and professional athlete clients.
Traci has represented artist's rights as related to negotiations with galleries, museums and higher education institutions focusing on valuation, authenticity and protection of copyright and other intellectual property rights. Traci has advised on the practicalities of moving artwork, art handling and insurance considerations.
Traci previously served as general counsel for an internationally recognized recording studio where she advised on legal strategies for the business and entertainment entities.
Before joining Stinson, Traci practiced law in New York and California, where she was recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for her exceptional litigation skills. She was appointed a Hearing Officer to the Los Angeles County Civil Service Commission, where she presided over employment and labor disputes.
She is an active member of several charitable and professional organizations and is a sought-out speaker on entertainment law, sports law, celebrity philanthropy and diversity, equity and inclusion. Traci is a mentor to many of the firm's attorneys as she formerly served as the co-chair of the Stinson Employee Resource Group for Attorneys of Color. Traci currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
"T&E 101: Estate Planning Primer for the NFL Athlete”, 2023 NFL Draft Luncheon presented by OMBI Group, LLC, Kansas City, MO, April 26, 2023
Presenter, "Women in NIL", The Different Sports, Technology, Entertainment and Media Conference, The Four Seasons Hotel, Atlanta, GA, April 12-13, 2023
"All About the Benjamin's: Creating Generational Wealth in the Black Community", National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, Corporate Counsel Conference, Orlando, FL, February 23, 2023
"How to Apply for Tax-Exempt Status," Super Bowl Nonprofit Seminar, OMBI Group, LLC, Stinson, LLP, Phoenix, AZ, February 8, 2023
Guest Lecturer, "The Business Skills in Sports & Entertainment Law Class," Loyola University Chicago School of Law, October 9, 2022
Keynote Speaker, "Diverse Representation - Entertainment Law Speaker Series with Southern University Law Center," September 21, 2022
“Student Athletes and Virtual Branding—A Practical Discussion on Monetizing and Protecting Your Brand in the Digital World, Regional CLE Program, American Bar Association Webinar,” July 2022
"T&E 101: Estate Planning Primer for the NFL Athlete", 2022 NFL Draft Luncheon presented by OMBI Group, LLC, Las Vegas, NV, April 27, 2022
Moderator, "Managing Investigations: A Guide for In-House Counsel," National Bar Association, 2021 Commercial Law Section Webinar Series, October 2021
"The Right of Publicity and the NCAA: What Name, Image and Likeness Rights Will Mean for the Future of College Sports," 2021 Midwest IP Institute, September, 2021
"IP-Licensing in Sports," American Bar Association, 2021 IP Fall Institute, September 2021
"In-House with Sports Entities and Law Firms" panel, Tulane University's Women in Sports Law Symposium, April 2021
Panel Coordinator and Moderator, "Race, Equity and Justice: How COVID-19 and Racial Protests are Changing the Role of Athletes and the Business of Sports", January 2021
"ABA Activate Diversity Series": “From the Rooney Rule in the NFL to Minorities in Coaching, Management and C-Suite in Sports”, December 2020
Keynote Speaker, 2020 Justice Alan Page Elimination of Bias CLE Seminar, December 2020
“MCCA Sources for Success - Mastering Finance and Business Skills for Emerging Leaders,” October 2020
"A Blueprint for In-House Counsel: Tips for representation of a U.S. National Football Team during COVID-19", TerraLex Sports & Entertainment Virtual Meeting, October 2020
"Find Your Fit", career panel for the Intellectual Property Law Association of Southern University Law Center, September 2020
"From Bystander to Upstander: Active Allyship for Marginalized Attorneys", Stinson LLP, July 2020
Keynote Speaker, "Summer Experience Lunch & Learn - Virtual Program for Summer Interns", BMO Harris Bank, July 2020
"Third Annual Women in Sports Law Symposium," Tulane Law School, May 11, 2020
"Taking Care of your Business: Having a Game Plan," 2020 NFL Draft Luncheon presented by OMBI Group, LLC, April 22, 2020
"Women of Color Attorneys in Sports & Sports Law," Thomson Reuters Legal Current Podcast, March 2020
“A Seat at The Table : Advocating for Gender Equity, Race and Justice in the Practice of Law” Thomson Reuters, February 2020
“Transforming Women’s Leadership: A Fireside Chat on Women’s Advancement in the Legal and Tax & Accounting Industries”, The Thomson Reuters Legal Executive Institute, Dallas, TX, November 13, 2019
“Make it Rain: Business Development Strategies for Women Attorneys”, Stinson, LLP, Minneapolis, MN, October 30, 2019
"T&E 101: Estate Planning Primer for the NFL Athlete," OMBI Group, LLC, NFL Draft Luncheon, Nashville, TN, April 2019
Moderator, "Succeeding as an Associate," MABL Brown Bag Lunch Series, January 2019
"Legal, Set, Go: How to Apply for Tax-Exempt Status," OMBI Group, LLC, Pre Super Bowl Nonprofit Seminar, Morehouse College, January 2019
“Innovation and Technology Summit,” Spelman College, October 2018
Moderator, "From Legal to Business: Lessons Learned Before, During and After Transitioning to the Business Side," National Bar Association's 2018 Corporate Counsel Leadership Summit, New Orleans, LA, July 2018
Moderator, "Data Privacy Considerations When Using AI in Online Advertising," MCCA Global Tec Forum, San Antonio, TX, April 2018
Moderator, "Ethical Considerations, Diversity, Inclusion & Overcoming Unconscious Bias," National Bar Association Commercial Law Section Conference, Dana Point, CA, February 2018
"The Four Pillars of Competitive Advantage: Core Values, Client Service, Value Pricing & Matter Management," October 2017
"Entertainment Law Forum," National Bar Association 92nd Annual Convention, Toronto, ON, July 29 - August 2017
"Sports Law Forum," National Bar Association 92nd Annual Convention, Toronto, ON, July 29 - August 2017
"Entertainment Law Seminar," Spelman Alumnae in Entertainment Summit, Spelman College, October, 2014, 2015 and 2016
"Women in Diversity in Leadership Conference," Metropolitan State University, November 2016
Publications
Quoted, "Kamala Harris: Breaking Barriers and the Positive Impacts of her Multiracial Identity," Thomson Reuters, November 12, 2020
"Music Modernization Act Update," Stinson Alert, August 2019
"FCC Releases Order to Relieve Telecommunications Funding Crisis for rural Healthcare Providers," Stinson Alert, June 2018
"Traci Bransford, David Kim, Donna Gonzales and Samir Mehta to Present at Global Tec Forum," Stinson News & Insights, April 2018
"Trends, Pitfalls and Opportunities in Celebrity Philanthropy," Stinson Alert, March 2015
Recognitions
Recognitions
Selected to the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America©
Chambers 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Award Short List - "Diversity & Inclusion Lawyer of the Year"
Named a 2020 "Notable Women in Law" by the Twin Cities Business Magazine, October/November 2020
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
National Bar Association
Georgia State Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Minority Corporate Counsel Association
Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
Sports Lawyers Association
Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable
Thomson Reuters Institute Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board
Mitchell Hamline Gateway to Legal Education Advisory Board
National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section, Executive Committee
Planned Parenthood of North Central States, Board Member
Children's Minnesota Health Care Foundation, Board Member
OMBI Group Foundation, Board Member
VocalEssence, Former Board Member and Vice Chair
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
- California
- New York
- Georgia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D.
Spelman College, B.A., magna cum laude
