Alexa Tipton is a 3L at Notre Dame Law School. Before LCA, Alexa interned at the 44th District Court in Royal Oak, Michigan where she researched how current driver’s licensing laws have led to a decrease in individuals obtaining their license, thereby increasing the number of individuals driving without their licenses and without driver’s education. Prior to that, Alexa interned at Big Machine Record Label in Nashville, TN where she had the opportunity to learn firsthand the innerworkings of the music business. Alexa received her B.A. with a major in Economics from Hillsdale College in Michigan.
Q: Many of our interns come to us with unique backgrounds in the arts. Do you have any personal background in the arts?
A: I danced ballet from when I was three years old through college, took piano lessons for 6 years when I was younger, taught myself how to play guitar in high school, and sang in my school’s choir from fifth grade through high school. I have always enjoyed listening and learning about music, especially attending writer’s rounds when I lived in Nashville.
How did you hear about LCA?
I heard about LCA through mutual friends in Chicago. I was connected with a member of LCA’s Associate Board who prompted me to join. From there I realized that LCA would be a great place to continue my education in music law.
What did you expect? Did anything here surprise you?
I wasn’t sure what to expect since most internships have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. I’m thankful that LCA decided to continue remotely with the planned summer internship. Although it’s a much different experience working from home, it’s nice to have weekly meetings with all of the staff to discuss current arts-related issues and how we are progressing with our research.
Do you have any favorite moments or projects from your time with us?
My favorite part of LCA is listening to all of the client’s creative endeavors. It’s inspiring to hear their ideas and what they have done to achieve their goals in music, photography, film and more. I also loved talking to everyone during our weekly staff meetings about current issues. It’s nice to not be stuck in your own thoughts all day while working from home!
How has your experience at LCA connected with what you have been learning in law school?
This past year I took Patent, Trademark, and International Intellectual Property law which I’ve had the opportunity to apply many of the concepts I’ve learned in each of these classes through my research on live-streaming and while discussing legal issues with clients.
Did you come into LCA hoping to get experience in a particular area of law? Have your interests changed at all?
I came into LCA hoping to gain experience in music/entertainment law as well as intellectual property law. My interests have not changed much, but instead deepened and I’m more confident that this is the correct field for me.
I think it’s important in general to experience the arts from the perspective of LCA if one wants to go into the entertainment industry. In reality, most of the artists in the country are not celebrities with unending amounts of money and pull to make their legal problems go away, most artists only reach through their local communities or just across a few states (although that’s rapidly changing with streaming!). When discussing artist legislation and practicing in the arts the individuals that come to LCA for help are the individuals that can’t be forgotten.
What’s next for you? Has your time at LCA helped you to narrow your options?
My goal is to work in the entertainment and sports industry in the future. I really enjoy intellectual property and LCA has given me the opportunity to do more IP and music related research which has been exciting and encouraging that I’m on the right path!
Do you hope to volunteer with LCA once you have your degree?
Yes! I am a member of the Associate’s Board already and I’m excited to give more of my time to LCA in the future.
What value does an organization like LCA add to the arts community?
LCA provides an opportunity for individuals and smaller organizations who have do not have the ability to afford legal aid to speak to a group of lawyers who have dedicated their time to helping the arts community. What LCA is doing is truly priceless. An individual who does not have access to legal aid can feel an immense amount of stress over their legal issues and when there is no where for them to go these individuals often give up on their endeavors. It’s important for organizations to encourage the creatives to continue to pursue their craft and that’s what LCA does.
What's a fun fact about you?
I met Taylor Swift as a freshman in high school and since then I’ve known I want to go into the entertainment industry one way or another!
Which tv-show/movie/song/book have you recently finished that you would recommend?
I have been reading Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s memoir “My Grandfather’s Son.” It’s been very interesting to learn about his life and the hardships he’s faced growing up in the segregated south. The issues he speaks on are relevant to the conversations happening in the world right now and I highly recommend his book!
Thank you Alexa for all of your hard work as an intern this semester! Check the website or follow us on social media for future intern profiles and other exciting content.