Sidley has been included among the class of 2025 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipients for our pro bono legal work in support of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s mission and long-term growth. As recognized in the award announcement: “The firm has provided invaluable support in areas such as corporate governance, including revising bylaws and educating directors on fiduciary duties; transitioning the IBMA to 501c3 nonprofit status, enabling tax-deductible donations; advising on contracts and agreements; assisting with travel visa processes for international bands; and protecting IBMA’s intellectual property. Over the last decade, Sidley Austin has donated over $1.5 million in legal services, ensuring the IBMA’s stability and growth, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.”
The award will be presented at the Awards Luncheon on September 18 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and acknowledged that evening at the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, all a part of the annual IBMA World of Bluegrass® celebration. Holly J. Gregory, co-head of Sidley’s global Corporate Governance practice, initiated and has led the firm’s longstanding pro bono efforts for the IBMA, and will accept the award on behalf of the firm. Key members of the team include Colleen Theresa Brown (Privacy and Cybersecurity); Tai-Heng Cheng (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy); Julia M. Chester (Technology and Life Sciences Transactions); Jackson T. Garvey (Restructuring); Marketa Lindt, Teresa L. Reuter, Wendy M. Lazerson, and Teodora G. Zlatkova (Labor, Employment and Immigration); Randi W. Singer (Commercial Litigation and Disputes); and Christine Duque (Corporate Governance). Special thanks to retired partner Michael Clark (Non-Profit Institutions) for all of his contributions to this effort.
The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards honor outstanding achievement across musical, industry, and philanthropic categories. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Steve Martin and Alison Brown, and will also spotlight leading artists including Alison Krauss & Union Station and Billy Strings. For more information, visit ibma.org.
Sidley has a long tradition of helping clients navigate the legal and business complexities of the entertainment, sports, and media industries. Our lawyers, strategically located in industry hubs such as Century City, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Miami, New York, London, and throughout Asia, assist with significant M&A transactions, capital raises, complex joint ventures, financings, cutting-edge distribution deals, tax matters, high-profile litigations, restructurings, and regulatory matters.
