NSEAL to honor attorney Tim Kappel at Comedy Store ceremony

The National Society of Entertainment and Arts Lawyers will hold the third annual David A. Pierce Award Ceremony on July 16, 2026, at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. Music-industry attorney Tim Kappel will be honored for his work on artists’ rights, with networking, comedy and an after-party planned.

Why it matters: - The David A. Pierce Award spotlights lawyers who protect artists’ rights and shape the legal rules around creative work. - This year’s honoree, Tim Kappel, has worked on cases and legislation tied to copyright termination rights and control of artists’ identities. - The event brings together entertainment lawyers, creators and law students in one of Hollywood’s best-known venues.

What happened: - The National Society of Entertainment and Arts Lawyers will host the Third Annual David A. Pierce Award Ceremony on July 16, 2026. - The event will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. PST at The Original Room at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. - NSEAL will also host an exclusive after-party on the front patio. - The ceremony will honor Tim Kappel, a music-industry attorney, educator and artists’ rights advocate. - NSEAL Chairman Steven T. Lowe and East Coast Director Scott Alan Burroughs are scheduled to speak.

The details: - Kappel is a founding partner of Wells & Kappel LLP. - Kappel served as lead counsel in Vetter v. Resnik (25-30108), a Fifth Circuit case that granted creators worldwide copyright termination rights. - Kappel supported artists through an NSEAL amicus brief in Salt-N-Pepa v. UMG (1:25-cv-04182) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. - Kappel also wrote a related article on the issue. - Kappel worked on the Allen Toussaint Legacy Act, a Louisiana law passed in 2022 that created a statutory right of publicity. - Kappel serves as assistant professor and associate director of the Music Industry Studies program at Loyola University New Orleans’ School of Music and Theatre Professions. - Kappel is president of the Recording Academy’s Memphis Chapter Board for 2025-2026. - Event tickets are priced at $50 for early bird admission, $30 for students and $60 last minute after July 10, 2026. - More information is available through the event listing.

Between the lines: - NSEAL is using the award ceremony as both a recognition event and a networking night for the entertainment-law community. - Kappel’s selection signals continued attention to copyright termination, artist identity rights and music-industry advocacy. - The Comedy Store setting adds a public-facing, entertainment-first atmosphere to a legal-industry event.

What's next: - Guests will gather on July 16 for comedy performances, food, speeches and networking. - NSEAL will present the David A. Pierce Award to Kappel during the evening program. - The organization will continue its annual recognition of legal work tied to artists’ rights.