Entertainment Law Clinic
The Entertainment Law Clinic is an advanced entertainment law course for students seeking practical experience in transactional and administrative aspects of the entertainment industry. Students will represent creators, businesses, and non-profits in the music, film and television, dance, and art businesses with a focus on trademark and copyright prosecution and counseling, contract drafting and negotiation, and royalty stream creation and retention.
If you have a legal matter regarding one of the issues listed above, or you believe the UH Entertainment Law Clinic could provide assistance, please fill out the form at the following link. After reviewing your responses, a representative from the Clinic will contact you.
Feb. 06, 2025 - The University of Houston Law Center’s Entertainment Law Clinic recently secured a settlement with the Copyright Claims Board for a client whose art was improperly used in a documentary. The CCB was established in 2020 within the U.S. Copyright Office to offer copyright owners and users a streamlined, cost-effective alternative to resolve copyright infringement disputes.
Justen S. Barks | Entertainment Law Clinic Director
Justen S. Barks is a commercial, intellectual property, and entertainment litigator. His intellectual property practice includes a mix of work with the U.S. Trademark Office, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Copyright Office, and copyright, patent, and trademark litigation.
Mr. Barks is the Director of the University of Houston Law Center’s Entertainment Law Clinic. He was an adjunct professor of law at UHLC, where he taught Entertainment Law (2014 to 2023).
Erin Rodgers | Adjunct Professor
Erin Rodgers is currently a partner with Rodgers Selvera PLLC in Houston. Her areas of practice include entertainment, nonprofits, intellectual property, and corporate matters. Erin earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Business from Loyola University New Orleans, and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. She has extensive experience representing clients in all facets of the entertainment industry.
In addition to practicing law, Erin is a classically trained clarinetist, and also plays the piano, accordion, and guitar. Erin currently performs with Houston bands National Pleasure, The Wheel Workers, and Houston’s Accordion Super Stars, and is a Core Artist at Catastrophic Theatre. She also supports the local arts community through board service, volunteering, and advocacy for many local arts organizations.
Spring 2025
Madison Hastings
Madison Hastings earned both her bachelor’s (2017) and master’s (2024) degrees in behavioral sciences from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. She also holds a J.D. from South Texas College of Law and is currently pursuing an LL.M. in intellectual property and information law at the University of Houston Law Center. A lifelong involvement in the creative arts inspired her to use her legal expertise to help artists protect and advance their work.
Laura Stoicoviciu
Laura Stoicoviciu graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University. She is pursuing a J.D. at the University of Houston Law Center and working towards a career in entertainment law. Raised in Austin, she was inspired by the city’s vibrant music and film communities to advocate for artists and protect their creative work. She brings experience as a former student DJ for KANM and a photographer to her legal interests. At UHLC, she serves on the boards of the Sports and Entertainment Law Organization and the Museum and Cultural Heritage Law Society.
Soufia Ali
Soufia Ali, a Houston-area native, earned dual degrees from The University of Texas at Austin in Radio-Television-Film and Health and Society, specializing in behavioral health. She is now pursuing a J.D. at the University of Houston Law Center. Her undergraduate experience in the nonprofit sector sparked a passion for integrating the arts with advocacy. She plans to continue her work in the public sector after graduation.
Luke Elliott
Luke Elliott graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in political science. Originally from Dallas, he developed an interest in entertainment law through his passion for music — particularly 70s outlaw country — and sports, including the Texas Rangers. Now based in Houston, Luke is pursuing his J.D. at the University of Houston Law Center with the goal of becoming an entertainment litigator, dedicated to representing clients and advocating for their best interests.
Becca Plunkett
Becca Plunkett is a J.D. student at the University of Houston Law Center with ten years of experience in theater, film, concert and live event production in New York City. She has an M.F.A. in playwriting from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in theater, magna cum laude, from Southwestern University. Her passion for the arts inspired her to pursue a career in entertainment law, where she hopes to combine her industry experience with her legal training to advocate for artists and creative businesses.
Salima Sapateh
Originally from Maryland, Salima Sapateh is a J.D. student at the University of Houston Law Center with a passion for sports and music. A former basketball player of 11 years and longtime choir member, she earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University, where she developed an interest in working at the intersection of sports, entertainment and law. Sapateh hopes to be a sports and entertainment attorney, combining her love of athletics and music with her legal training.
Juan Nunez
Juan Nunez graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. A lifelong participant in the creative arts, he is passionate about helping creators protect and defend their work. At the University of Houston Law Center, Juan served as vice president of the Aggie Bar Association, a student attorney in the Military Justice Clinic, and a law clerk at a criminal defense firm. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in entertainment law.
Anastasiia Polishchuk
Anastasiia Polishchuk is an L.L.M. student at the University of Houston Law Center, specializing in intellectual property law. She earned her first law degree in Ukraine and practiced law in Europe for seven years before relocating to America. A passionate pianist, Polishchuk is dedicated to supporting musicians and protecting their creative work. She also has a strong interest in esports and iGaming and plans to develop her legal career in these industries.
