Hewitt Glass Law Emerges as a New Powerhouse in Australasia’s Entertainment Legal Sector Amidst Industry Reshuffle.

SYDNEY, Australia – A significant development has reshaped the legal landscape serving Australasia’s dynamic music, media, and arts industries with the exclusive reveal of Hewitt Glass Law, a new specialist firm poised to offer comprehensive legal and commercial counsel. The Sydney-based firm, which officially commenced operations on July 1, 2026, is spearheaded by managing partners Rob Glass and Julian Hewitt, both highly respected figures in the entertainment law community. Their launch follows the strategic closure of Media Arts Lawyers, a prominent firm co-founded by David Vodicka, where both Glass and Hewitt previously served as partners. This transition also sees Mr. Vodicka establish his own dedicated practice, David Vodicka Music & Entertainment Lawyers, marking a notable evolution within the sector.

The Genesis of a New Legal Era for Entertainment

The formation of Hewitt Glass Law represents a pivotal moment for the Australasian creative industries, offering a fresh, forward-thinking approach to legal services in a rapidly evolving global market. Rob Glass and Julian Hewitt bring a wealth of experience and an impressive track record, having collectively advised on commercial transactions exceeding $300 million in the last three years alone. Both partners have been recognized by Billboard among the world’s Top Music Lawyers, underscoring their expertise and influence within the international music business.

Their decision to launch Hewitt Glass Law stems from a shared vision to provide highly specialized and commercially astute advice tailored to the unique demands of modern artists, creators, and entertainment businesses. The firm’s establishment is not merely a change of name but a strategic recalibration designed to navigate the increasing complexities of intellectual property, digital rights, global touring, content production, and corporate transactions in the arts and entertainment sphere.

A Legacy Evolves: From Media Arts Lawyers to New Ventures

The emergence of Hewitt Glass Law is intrinsically linked to the legacy of Media Arts Lawyers (MAL), a firm that, under the leadership of David Vodicka, established itself as a cornerstone of legal support for the Australasian music and arts communities for decades. Mr. Vodicka, widely regarded as one of Australia’s preeminent music lawyers, cultivated a reputation for insightful counsel and a deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies. The decision for MAL to conclude its operations and for its partners to embark on new, focused ventures reflects a broader trend within the legal profession towards hyper-specialization and agile business models responsive to client needs.

While Glass and Hewitt launch Hewitt Glass Law, David Vodicka simultaneously introduces David Vodicka Music & Entertainment Lawyers, ensuring that his extensive expertise continues to serve the industry. This concurrent development suggests a strategic partitioning of a successful practice, allowing each new entity to hone its focus and respond more dynamically to specific market segments. For the industry, this translates into continued access to top-tier legal talent, albeit through new structural arrangements.

Leadership and Vision: Driving Forces Behind Hewitt Glass Law

Julian Hewitt and Rob Glass articulate a clear philosophy for their new firm, rooted in both passion and pragmatism. "We’re really excited for this new chapter – we’ve got a whip smart, dynamic team in Sydney, and work with great clients," Glass and Hewitt commented in a joint statement. They emphasized the foundational role of genuine enthusiasm: "The reason we got into this area of law was passion – for music but also as enthusiastic students of the history of the entertainment business and the culture." This ethos suggests a client-centric approach that goes beyond mere legal compliance, aiming to be strategic partners in their clients’ creative and commercial journeys.

Hewitt elaborated on the firm’s forward-looking perspective: "Artists, creators and rights holders are thinking more strategically about ownership, growth and long-term value creation than ever before. Our goal is to help clients navigate that environment with advice that combines deep entertainment industry knowledge with strong commercial and corporate expertise." This statement highlights the firm’s intent to bridge the gap between creative ambition and robust business strategy, a critical need in an industry increasingly defined by intellectual property assets and global market reach.

Glass further reinforced this global outlook, stating, "Australian artists and entertainment businesses are achieving success on a scale that would have been difficult to imagine even a decade ago. As those careers and businesses become more sophisticated, the legal and commercial challenges become more complex as well. We created Hewitt Glass to provide specialist advice that reflects the global entertainment market." This acknowledges the unprecedented international success of Australasian talent and the consequent demand for legal services equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional issues, complex licensing, and cross-border transactions.

An Impressive Roster of Inaugural Clients

A testament to the immediate trust and reputation Glass and Hewitt command within the industry, Hewitt Glass Law launches with an impressive client roster that reads like a who’s who of Australasian music. The firm proudly represents globally recognized acts such as Angus and Julia Stone, The Avalanches, Courtney Barnett, CYRIL, DMA’S, Dom Dolla, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Future Classic, NLV Records, RUFUS DU SOL, Tones And I, and The Veronicas.

This diverse portfolio, spanning indie darlings, electronic music pioneers, chart-topping pop artists, and influential labels, underscores the partners’ versatility and deep connections across various genres and segments of the music industry. Securing such high-profile clients from day one speaks volumes about the confidence artists and businesses have in Glass and Hewitt’s capabilities and their proven track record of delivering results in an increasingly competitive global market. These artists and labels represent significant commercial and cultural capital, necessitating sophisticated legal strategies for everything from recording and publishing deals to touring, brand partnerships, and catalog management.

Comprehensive Services for a Complex Industry

Hewitt Glass Law offers a robust suite of core services designed to address the multifaceted legal and commercial needs of the entertainment sector. These include:

• Music Law: Encompassing recording agreements, publishing deals, international touring contracts, sync licensing, brand partnerships, and intricate catalog transactions – an area of increasing importance given the boom in music catalog acquisitions. The firm will advise on copyright, royalty collection, digital distribution, and rights management in the streaming era.
• Entertainment Law: Extending beyond music to cover film, television, and content production. This involves advising on development, financing, production, distribution agreements, talent contracts, and intellectual property protection for a wide array of creative projects. As streaming platforms drive a global content boom, expert counsel in this area is more crucial than ever.
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Corporate Law: Providing strategic advice on business sales, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate structuring, and commercial agreements. This is vital for labels seeking expansion, tech companies entering the entertainment space, and established businesses looking to optimize their corporate governance and investment strategies. The significant transaction volume handled by Glass and Hewitt in recent years highlights their proficiency in this high-stakes domain.

The comprehensive nature of these services positions Hewitt Glass Law as a one-stop shop for clients seeking integrated legal and commercial advice across their entire creative and business operations.

The Australasian Entertainment Market: A Landscape of Growth and Intricacy

The timing of Hewitt Glass Law’s launch is particularly pertinent given the current state of the Australasian entertainment market. Over the past decade, Australia and New Zealand have cemented their positions as significant exporters of world-class talent, from musicians and filmmakers to digital content creators. The recorded music industry in Australia, for instance, has demonstrated robust growth, with revenues consistently increasing, largely driven by the widespread adoption of streaming services. This growth, however, comes with a corresponding rise in legal complexity, as artists navigate global digital distribution, intricate licensing agreements, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights in the age of AI and Web3 technologies.

The broader creative economy, encompassing film, television, gaming, and digital arts, contributes billions to the national GDP and is characterized by a vibrant ecosystem of independent creators and established production houses. The demand for content, fueled by international streaming giants and domestic broadcasters, has led to increased production activity, cross-border co-productions, and a greater need for sophisticated legal frameworks to protect creators’ rights and commercial interests.

Glass and Hewitt’s optimism about "what lies ahead as the business dramatically shifts" directly addresses these macro-trends. The shifts include:

• Digital Transformation: The ongoing evolution of streaming, social media, and direct-to-fan platforms fundamentally alters how content is created, distributed, and monetized, requiring new legal models.
• Globalisation: Australasian artists and content are reaching unprecedented international audiences, necessitating expertise in international law, foreign copyright regimes, and cross-cultural business practices.
• Data and Analytics: The increasing use of data in audience engagement and monetization brings with it privacy concerns and new legal obligations.
• Intellectual Property Valorisation: Artists and rights holders are increasingly viewing their IP as tangible assets for long-term wealth creation, driving demand for expert advice on catalog sales, investment, and strategic ownership.
• Emerging Technologies: The rise of NFTs, metaverse applications, and AI-generated content presents novel legal challenges related to ownership, authorship, and commercial exploitation.

Hewitt Glass Law is strategically positioned to guide clients through these intricate developments, helping them identify and capitalize on "the moments where the most interesting opportunities present themselves."

A New Chapter for Australasian Entertainment Law

The opening of Hewitt Glass Law on July 1, 2026, from its central Sydney location at Suite 5B, Level 1, 2-12 Foveaux Street in Surry Hills, signifies more than just a new business; it marks a strategic evolution within the Australasian entertainment legal sector. The firm enters a market ripe with opportunity and challenge, offering highly specialized advice grounded in deep industry knowledge and extensive commercial experience.

The launch is expected to be met with keen interest across the entertainment sector, as stakeholders, from emerging artists to established labels and production companies, seek agile and expert legal guidance to navigate the complexities of a globalized and digitally driven industry. The competitive landscape for entertainment law in Australasia will undoubtedly intensify, benefiting clients through enhanced specialization and tailored services.

With a powerful roster of inaugural clients, a clear strategic vision, and leadership recognized globally, Hewitt Glass Law is poised to become a formidable player in shaping the future commercial and legal trajectories of Australasia’s vibrant creative industries. For further information on the firm’s services and expertise, interested parties can visit hewittglass.com.