Executive producer, music mogul, entrepreneur, and lawyer Joseph Weinberger, J.D. ’82, established an endowed scholarship in 2012 at Miami Law to support students in the joint J.D./LL.M. Program in Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law. This week, Weinberger met his current student recipient, 3L Lee Alhanti, at Miami Law’s annual donor scholarship luncheon, which brings together donors and their scholarship recipients.
“I saw the scholarship as an opportunity to provide students with the essential legal and practical training in entertainment law that were not available when I went to Miami Law,” said Weinberger. “I have continuously expanded my contributions to the fund over the years.”
Originally from Coral Springs, Florida, Alhanti received his Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Management from the University of Central Florida. At Miami Law, he is a member of the International and Comparative Law Review and is vice president of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society, where as a 2L, he was involved with the annual Global Entertainment & Sports Law + Industry Conference.
“Receiving this scholarship from Joe Weinberger is such an honor,” said Alhanti. “Not only is it allowing me to complete the J.D./LL.M. program, but it is also connecting me with previous recipients and industry professionals, who all have such great stories and experiences.”
Alhanti has served as a legal intern for the New York law firm of Escalera, Majchrowski & Clipp where he drafted and edited recording, producer, publishing, and side artist agreements. He also interned remotely with Orcutt Legal from Los Angeles, where he also helped with artist agreements.
Once he graduates in May 2023, he hopes to represent corporations in the music and entertainment industry on not only legal matters but also “everyday business matters and industry trends.”
Weinberger is the founder of Lil’ Joe Records, a Miami-based record company formed in January 1995, when rap artist Luther Campbell and Luke Records filed for bankruptcy. Weinberger bought the rights to 2 Live Crew’s music and signed the remaining members of 2 Live Crew to record with him, along with other Luke Records artists such as Poison Clan, H-Town, and Bust Down. His company currently owns major copyrights from Travis Scott, French Montana, DJ Khaled, among others.
Weinberger has a history of supporting law students with an interest in entertainment law. He says, “I originally established the scholarship in 2014 as a joint J.D. Masters of Business in Entertainment with the Frost school and have continuously increased the scholarship at the law school once [it launched] the LL.M. EASL program.”
The alumnus feels good knowing his contributions help support amazing students and the top programs in which they study, “The EASL LL.M. program is an extension of Miami Law's greatness in other LL.M. nationally acclaimed programs in Estate Planning, Tax, Real Property, and International Law. The program has outstanding practitioners who provide the legal essentials and practical experience to students.”
The Weinberger Family Endowed Scholarship has supported several exceptional students over the years, including:
- Brian Oliver, who is currently general counsel, director of legal and business affairs, and chief government and public affairs strategist at Rolling Loud Festival. He won the Grammy National Writing competition while a student at Miami Law.
- Sophia Sofferman, an associate with Pryor Cashman’s Media + Entertainment Litigation Group, and former counsel at Rimas Records (Bad Bunny's label) who also won the Grammy Writing competition while at Miami Law.
- Samantha Finkel, who served as ESLS President while at Miami Law, is currently associate director, Business & Legal Affairs at Universal Music Group.
- Max Budowsky is an associate at the Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group for Sidley Austin’s new Miami office.
“All of the Weinberger scholarship recipients have been outstanding,” said Weinberger. “The current recipient, Lee, has major potential and the scholarship will enable him to complete the joint J.D./LL.M.”
