The SXSW EDU Mentor Program seeks to feature experienced professionals as mentors for the SXSW EDU community. In March of 2025, Nicolas and Sophia participated as music mentors, sharing their industry insights and expertise with aspiring professionals. Additionally, Sophia served as a mentor during the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY U Mentor Session, further contributing her knowledge and guidance to emerging professionals in the music industry.
In March of 2025, Sofferman spoke as a panelist at the AnnualWomen in Radio conference in Atlanta. Her panel focuses on “Beyond the Airwaves: Personal Branding for Media Professionals,” where she will be sharing her insights on the evolving influencer landscape.
In March of 2025, Sophia took the stage at Miami Music Week as a featured panelist, where she shared her expertise on critical issues impacting the music industry. Her discussion focused on negotiation strategies, highlighting the importance of leverage, risk assessment, and deal structuring in high-stakes music transactions. She also delved into the complexities of resolving entertainment-related disputes, underscoring the strategic considerations necessary to achieve favorable outcomes in an evolving digital landscape.
In October of 2024, Sofferman was a panelist on aWomen in the Industry panel in New Orleans alongside moderator Judy Tint, Lee Danny (A&R at Thirty Tigers), and McKenzii Webster (Crosstown Arts).
Discussing Income Streams for Artists: In October of 2024, Sofferman participated as a panelist on“Brother Can You Spare a Dime,” discussing crucial strategies for musicians to maximize income streams while navigating the evolving music industry. The CLE was alongside moderator Judy Tint, attorney Matthew Wilson, and music manager Justine Avila.
In February of 2025, Sophia spoke atNova Law School’s Entertainment Law Symposium panel entitled Representing Athletes and Entertainers, discussing the legalities behind various entertainment transactional agreements.
In June of 2024, Sofferman participated as a panelist at theInfluencer Marketing Network’s annual conference for “Navigating the Morality-Maze in Creator-Brand Relationships,” discussing the complexities of influencer deals and morals clauses alongside attorneys Dominique Charles (Endeavor), David Mazur (Publicis), and Sharon Kahn (Digital Brand Architects), moderated by Frank Poe.
In 2024, Sofferman was invited by theRecording Academy to speak on a panel for the Music Industry Career Advice and Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest Information Session at the Frost School of Music. She discussed her path entering and advancing within the music industry and participated in an informational session about the Recording Academy’s ELI 2025 Writing Competition, where she is a grading committee member and a former winner.
Sofferman moderated a panel discussion titled “The Entertainment Deal: Lessons from Top Executives” between Angi Roh (Head of Music Business Affairs at CAA) and Sally Stacy (SVP Legal Affairs at Live Nation Entertainment) at University of Miami School of Law (April 2023).
Sofferman participated at the Global Entertainment and Sports Law Industry Conference, moderating a conversation on The Future of Live Entertainment with Denise Ruben-Carter (VP Business & Legal at Madison Square Garden) and Clifford Carter (touring musician for James Taylor, Idina Menzel, and others) (April 2022).
Sofferman moderated a conversation titled “Navigating Entertainment Law” with Susan Genco (Co-President of The Azoff Company), Shay M. Lawson (Managing Attorney, Lawson McKinley), and Dina LaPolt (Founder of LaPolt Law) (April 2021).
Sofferman sat down with Pryor Cashman’s Don Zakarin for a fireside chat titled“Thinking Out Loud: A Conversation with Ed Sheeran’s Lead Litigator” at the Global Sports and Entertainment Conference at Miami Law School (April 2024).
In March of 2025, Sophia spoke at the University of Florida School of Law as part of their Entertainment Law Symposium. She engaged with students and fellow professionals, offering insights into complex music transactions and the intricacies of the attorney-client relationship.
Education
This spring, Sophia served as a guest lecturer for the music law component of the Entertainment Transactions course, sharing her insights with law students navigating the complexities of music industry deals. She covered key topics including recording agreements, publishing deals, synchronization licenses, and touring contracts.
Since 2021, Sophia has served as a lecturer in “Introduction to Music Law” for practicing attorneys visiting the University of Miami School of Law from ISDE – Higher Institute of Law and Economics in Madrid, as part of their pursuit of a master’s degree. During this annual program, Sophia’s sessions have provided an interactive and comprehensive overview of the business and legal aspects of the music industry. She covers key agreements, including management agreements, recording agreements, publishing agreements, and asset purchase agreements. Her lectures also include practical instruction on clearing releases, handling samples, and negotiating complex deals—all while offering a foundational understanding of the business side of music. Sophia further enhances the learning experience by conducting interactive negotiations and coaching participants through real-world scenarios. Drawing from her experience and her hands-on industry background, she developed and delivered the curriculum, with the goal that each session equips students with the strategic insight needed to navigate the music industry effectively.
In 2023 and 2024, Sophia Sofferman co-lectured the Music Practicum at the University of Miami School of Law, focusing on critical aspects of the music industry, including catalog sales and asset purchase agreements. Her sessions provided students with hands-on learning experiences, exploring the complexities of high-value music transactions, analyzing real-world deals, and navigating the strategic considerations behind acquiring and selling music assets.
In 2024 and 2025, Sophia Sofferman served as a guest lecturer for the Digital Media Course at the University of Miami School of Communication. Her sessions focused on the intersection of law, technology, and the evolving world of media, providing students with practical insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping legal landscapes and creative industries.
In May 2023, Sophia Sofferman served as a guest lecturer at the USC Thornton School of Music, covering key topics such as synchronization licenses, mechanical royalties, global rights administration, and the evolving impact of streaming on publishing revenues.
In June 2022, Sophia Sofferman was a guest lecturer at UCLA, where she focused on the legal and business intricacies involved in creative works, including contract negotiations, intellectual property rights, and copyright considerations.
Sofferman is serving as a guest lecturer at the University of Miami School of Law, discussing the complexities of concert agreements for the course, Drafting and Negotiating Sports Venue Agreements. This will be Sofferman’s third year guest teaching for this course.
In February of 2025, Sophia spent her second year serving as a judge at the University of Miami Law School’s Counseling Creators Competition.