Summary
An experienced business attorney, Marcus advises clients in the food and beverage, marketing, hospitality, sports, media, and entertainment law industries. He is a highly regarded attorney, known for guiding clients in highly regulated industries. His strategic and forward-looking legal counsel helps clients remain compliant, well-protected, and positioned for sustained growth.
Marcus provides strategic solutions and dispute resolution, as well as day-to-day legal support, in areas such as corporate governance, operations, and corporate and financial transactions. He has significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, including vendor services, facility, merchandising, intellectual property, sponsorship, NIL, and employment agreements for telecommunications, gaming and software, sports arena licensing, and television network companies.
Earlier in his career, Marcus served as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary at Celsius Holdings, Inc., where he handled high-stakes litigation, intellectual property infringement, and brand endorsement negotiations with professional teams in the NFL, NBA, MLS, and NHL, NIL athletes, Formula 1 racing teams, actors, and public figures. His work defending Celsius in litigation, managing SEC civil investigations, and overseeing corporate governance highlights his ability to navigate complex legal and business environments.
Before law school, Marcus spent ten years in human resources, labor and employment relations, and talent management positions, where he gained experience and skills that complement his robust and dynamic law practice.
Marcus is admitted in Georgia and New York only.
All Service Areas
Education
- Emory University School of Law
- Florida A&M University
Admissions
- State - Georgia
- State - New York
Notable Matters
Prior to Taft
Film/TV Production
- Represented a four-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer in the production and development of “BET’s Brooklyn Blue Sky”, “Issa Rae Presents: King Ester”, and “The Sauce digital web-series.
- Represented comedy series creator in shopping agreement and presentation/pitch of concept to major television networks, including FUSE TV, VICE, Netflix, Hulu, and BET.
- Represented a production company in securing a development deal for a digital series made for television adaptation. Representation entailed drafting and reviewing agreements for all department heads, cast, crew, and site locations.
- Represented filmmaker in review of product placement agreement with DIAGEO (Crown Royal) to integrate product placement, as well as sponsorship at Oscar and Emmy award qualifying festivals.
- Represented an Estate in connection with the use of image and likeness in a Netflix documentary. Representation entailed negotiating a limited license for the use of pictures and video footage.
- Represented a digital content production company, in a licensing and distribution agreement of their original content on TV One/I-One digital streaming platform.
- Represented reality show actors in review of talent agreement for roles in BravoTV reality show “Real Housewives” franchise, VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta”, WeTv’s “Braxton Family Values”, and Tyler Perry’s original series, “The Oval.”
Advertising
- Represented production company in the drafting and reviewing of contracts for a nationwide campaign with Dove related to the passing of California’s Crown Act. The deal entailed drafting and negotiating agreements between the advertising agency, the Ad Council, Procter & Gamble, and the production company.
- Represented production company in drafting and reviewing agreements associated with a nationwide PSA related to mental health.
Sports
- Represented company in exclusive sports marketing and product placement agreements with the Dallas Mavericks, Inter-Miami FC, Ferrari F1 Racing team, NASCAR, PFL, Florida Panthers, and Major League Soccer.
- Represented company in negotiating NIL deals with multiple Heisman Award winners.
- Represented company in negotiating an influencer marketing partnership with Jake Paul.
Podcasts
- Represented company in drafting and negotiating podcast sponsorship with multiple top podcasts, including but not limited to: “Call Her Daddy”, “Theo Von”, and The Nelk Boys.”
- Represented a podcast company in a development deal with Google PRX, procuring financing for further content creation and exposure on Google’s digital platforms and across various media outlets such as USA Today, The Today Show, Essence Magazine, Kathi Lee and Hoda show, and BET.com.
- Represented a podcast company in drafting and negotiating an agreement to create original content limited series deal between the podcast and Samsung 837. The deal entailed procuring financing for hosting a series of live, recorded Podcast shows out of the Samsung 837 studios.
Music
- Currently representing recording artist in securing a recording and distribution deal in connection with Universal Music Group in partnership with Caroline. The deal requires negotiation on all significant components of a recording contract, including product delivery, publishing ownership, royalties, recording and marketing budgets, touring, ancillary revenue, etc.
- Represented musician in negotiating a licensing deal for the placement of original music in the NBA2K sports game.
- Representing recording artist in negotiating recording an agreement with major music labels, including, Roc Nation, Sony, and Dreamville Records.
- Representing recording artist in the review and negotiation of digital streaming agreements with Square/Tidal, StreamCut, and Apple iTunes.
- Represented a university in drafting agreements for R&B concert series with Ledisi, Fantasia, and Avery Sunshine.
Professional Affiliations
- Atlanta Bar Association
Member
- Gate City Bar Association
Member
- American Bar Association
Member
- National Bar Association
Member
Community Involvement
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Member