Aliya Nelson is a transactional attorney and partner with the firm’s Corporate Department. With nearly 20 years of experience, Ms. Nelson seamlessly guides clients through a wide-range of corporate, entertainment and licensing matters. Her clients have included, established and start-up marketing agencies, sports, media and technology companies, as well as Grammy award winning artists, songwriters and producers.
Ms. Nelson has experience representing clients, both as a lead attorney and as an outside general counsel, in general corporate matters, equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. She has strategically directed boards of directors and senior management of sports, media and technology companies, financial institutions and real estate developers through a variety of corporate transactional and real estate matters.
In addition to her corporate transactional experience, Ms. Nelson has a wide range of knowledge in a broad array of entertainment and licensing matters, such as negotiating and drafting recording, production and songwriting agreements, strategic coordination of trademark portfolios, rights purchases and contract negotiation for technology, marketing, film and television agreements.
Outside of her legal practice, Ms. Nelson is an executive and entrepreneur. She has served as a managing principal of an experiential marketing and activation agency that owned and operate branded youth sports properties around the United States and a multicultural advertising and experiential agency that served clients ranging from Fortune 500 to mid-size and small companies. Her experience as an entrepreneur has guided her passion for assisting start-ups with the development of sophisticated and forward thinking legal and business strategy.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Nelson is actively engaged in civic, charitable and philanthropic organizations. She has served as the executive director of a non-profit think tank and advocacy group founded to encourage economic and political activity, as well as address issues faced by people of color within the United States and Africa. Ms. Nelson is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is a graduate of the United Way’s Linkages professional board training program and has served on the Board of Directors of Behind the Book, Inc. and the New Rochelle Boys and Girls Club.
In her free time, Ms. Nelson enjoys exploring her love of art as well as planning private philanthropic events and fundraising for various charities.
MEMBERSHIPS
Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
New York State Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Behind the Book, Inc., former Member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors
Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Member of Metropolitan Chapter and former Programming Chair of Westchester Chapter
Mocha Moms, Inc., former President of Manhattan Chapter and New York State Coordinator
New Rochelle Boys and Girls Club, former Member of the Board of Directors
U.S. Wallball Association, Inc., Member of Board of Directors and Interim Treasurer
United Way of New York City, Linkages Program for Non Profit Leadership Development