Billboard Names Higgins and Pagano among Top Music Lawyers for Work on Save Our Stages Act

(Washington, D.C.) - Akin Gump public law and policy senior policy advisor Casey Higgins and partner Ed Pagano have been named to Billboard magazine's 2021 Top Music Lawyers list.

Ms. Higgins and Mr. Pagano, who were also named to the list last year (click here to learn more), were recognized for working 'tirelessly' amid the COVID-19 pandemic to support the newly formed National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), whose advocacy work led Congress to pass the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act. Passed in December, the legislation provided $15 billion in grants to live entertainment venues, performing arts centers and movie theaters to survive the shutdown.

According to Ms. Higgins, without this support, 'venues in cities and small towns across America would have closed permanently.'

Looking back at the most lasting legacy of 2020, Ms. Higgins added that there is now a 'strong bipartisan recognition…that concerts and live performing arts create vital economic activity not only in our big cities, but in our small towns as well.' She noted that the new appreciation 'for the economic benefits the industry provides in communities across America, coupled with its cultural contributions, will serve as a springboard for future efforts in Washington to support and grow the industry.'

To learn more about Akin Gump's work on behalf of NIVA with the Save our Stages Act, please click here.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

# # #