Music Week Awards-nominated legal firm Van Straten Solicitors is expanding into America, and has appointed industry veteran Michael Garbutt as director of artist & public relations.

Garbutt will assist as Van Straten, shortlisted for Law Firm Of The Year at the Music Week Awards for the second year running, establishes a permanent base in Los Angeles as part of its plan to become a global firm. Further hires will follow in the coming months.

"Our aim has always been to offer skilled and entrepreneurial legal advice, complemented with experience and insight across every area,” said founder Adam Van Straten. “Michael’s 30 years in the music and media industries, on both sides of the Atlantic, will help further our long-standing goal to become a full service global practice."

"I’m excited to join the highly talented and successful team at Van Straten at such a significant time,” said Garbutt, whose LA-based consultancy and PR agency represents numerous clients, including music publishers Notting Hill. “What particularly impressed me about the company is, they have an established roster of A-list talent, while sourcing and nurturing some of the freshest cutting-edge artists on the ever-vibrant British music scene. This move commences a process of consolidating Adam’s long-standing relationships in the US, not only on the West Coast, but also in New York, Nashville, Miami and beyond." 

Garbutt previously managed the Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb, worked alongside Alan Edwards at Edwards' PR firm The Outside Organisation and launched Lucid Communications with Charlie Lycett, amongst many other roles.

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