My Friends Are Better Than Yours Featuring Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, Esq.

Bio of Bernie Lawrence-Watkins

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins is a powerhouse attorney and the visionary founder of B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, P.C., a premier law firm specializing in Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Business Law. With a
career spanning more than 25 years, she has built a stellar reputation representing some of the biggest names in hip-
hop music, seamlessly navigating both transactional and litigation matters across copyright, trademark, and complex
business deals.

A trusted legal force behind a who’s who of the entertainment world, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins has represented top-tier artists including, but not limited to 21 Savage, Latto, Young Nudy, Baby Tate, Kevin Ross, Dess Dior, Jagged Edge, and Doe Boy, along with powerhouse producers such as Tay Keith, jetsonmade, Hitkidd, Kid Hazel, Digital Nas, and Cheeze Beatz. Her contract negotiations have shaped the careers of Grammy-nominated talent behind hits by Drake, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Beyoncé, Travis Scott, DJ Khaled, Usher, DaBaby, Future, and more.

Ms. Lawrence-Watkins is also a trusted dealmaker for her clients, earning the motto “Bernie Gets You Paid”, negotiating high-value agreements with major global brands such as Apple, Sprite, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Burger King, Wing Stop, Just Eats, and Camille Rose. Whether it’s music publishing, licensing, influencer, endorsements, or complex corporate transactions, she is the go-to legal strategist behind the scenes, ensuring her clients maximize value and protect their creative and business interests.

Ms. Lawrence-Watkins’ trailblazing work has earned her high-profile recognition, including Billboard Magazine’s Top Music Lawyer, a spotlight Billboard feature titled “My Lawyer is a Black Woman”, ASCAP’s Women Behind the Music Award, Black Music Moguls Award, a City of Atlanta Proclamation, and a place among Who’s Who in Black Atlanta.

No stranger to the tv and film industry, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins has served in the capacity as a production attorney and legal consultant on a number of projects including, but not limited to, “Dementia; Alone” (2010), “ABFF Independent” (2015), “What Love Will Make You Do” (2015), “JINN” (2018), “When We Gather” (2020), and “Bull Street” (2024).

Beyond the courtroom and boardroom, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins is committed to empowering the next generation. She serves on the boards of Georgia Music Partners and Girls Make Beats Inc., is a longtime member of the Recording Academy, and teaches future legal leaders as an Adjunct Professor at Georgia State University College of Law. In addition, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins periodically appears as a guest lecturer and panelist at colleges, law schools and conferences nationally and internationally. One of her most recent ventures is accepting the role as CEO of Eclipse Distro LLC, a tech start-up revolutionizing digital music distribution. A proud alumna of Howard University (both she and her two sons are Bison graduates) and the University of Baltimore School of Law, Ms. Lawrence-Watkins credits her success to a deep-rooted commitment to integrity, family, and balance