Power Lawyers 2012

Representing music legends (James Brown and Willie Nelson, among them) and two of music’s biggest awards shows — the Grammys and the CMAs — Atlanta-based Katz leads an army of 78 entertainment lawyers at one of the industry’s biggest firms. The goal, says Katz, who sold his practice to Greenberg Traurig more than a decade ago, is to “have a global entertainment firm.” At this year’s Grammys, Katz was tasked with clearing rights for songs used during a last-minute tribute for Whitney Houston, who had died the night before. “It’s Saturday night in L.A., how do you get the licenses? Who do you talk to? But we got all the licenses done.”

➻ Best perk Recording Academy work means Katz gets prime seats at the Grammys, but he rarely takes advantage. “Unfortunately, most of my time is spent backstage handling problems.”

LIST: THR's Power Lawyers 2012

PHOTOS: Christian Bale, Lindsay Lohan Pose With Their Lawyers