Dina LaPolt is one of the most influential attorneys in the entertainment industry and the founder of LaPolt Law, P.C., the only major law firm of its kind founded by a sole female lawyer. Since opening her firm in 2001, she’s built a powerhouse roster of recording artists, catalogues, film and TV talent, and entrepreneurs across music, fashion, and beauty.
LaPolt is widely known for her work at the intersection of law, policy, and artist advocacy. She was helpful in moving the Music Modernization Act (2018) through Congress and securing COVID relief for creators through the CARES Act (2020).
She co-founded SONA, successfully sued the U.S. Department of Justice to protect songwriter rights, and continues to advise U.S. lawmakers on legislation like the RAP Act and the No Fakes Act, fighting for protections around artistic expression and AI.
One of her first clients was the estate of Tupac Shakur and she co-produced the Oscar-nominated documentary Tupac: Resurrection.
A longtime educator and fierce advocate for equity and sobriety, LaPolt has earned top industry honors including Billboard’s Power 100, Variety’s Power of Law, and the Recording Academy’s Service Award. Her debut book, Street Smart: Tips for Succeeding in a Man’s World, is out in October 2025.
You’ve been called fearless, a real boss, and “street smart” in every sense. What does being ‘street smart’ mean to you and when did you first realize you had it?
To me, being street smart means knowing how to hustle, how to read people, and how to survive, especially when there’s no safety net and no one coming to save you. It’s about trusting your instincts and learning how to move through the world with awareness and adaptability.
I think I first realized I had that in me when I packed up my car, left everything I knew behind, and drove across the country to California. No job lined up, no real connections just a music degree, a head full of dreams, and a gut feeling that I had to go. I wasn’t sober yet (that journey came later) but even then, I was already leaning on my instincts. I figured out how to connect with people, spot opportunity, and make myself useful, even if I didn’t have the résumé yet. That’s what street smarts are about: surviving, adapting, and knowing how to move forward even when the path isn’t clear.
You move between boardrooms, Congress, courtrooms, and creative circles. What does a typical day look like for you if there even is one?
Honestly, there’s no such thing as a typical day and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I thrive in the chaos, but I anchor it with structure where it counts. My mornings start early. I need that first hour to myself; to have my coffee, meditate, and check emails and messages. It’s how I get centered before the whirlwind begins.
After that, I usually squeeze in a workout, and then the day takes off. I might be on the phone with a member of Congress or a lobbyist in D.C., then jumping into calls with my law partners to strategize across multiple deals. A few times a week, I will have a lunch meeting with a colleague, and afternoons are typically stacked with Zooms, calls, and in-person meetings.
But no matter how busy things get, I always carve out time for my twin boys and for my recovery meetings. My kids and my sobriety that’s my foundation. Everything else runs on what I call controlled chaos. And I always begin my day with a gratitude check-in. It’s my way of remembering what really matters before the world starts pulling in every direction.
Street Smart drops October 6, 2025. What’s one chapter or lesson you think every young woman entering the music business should read first and why?
Honestly? Every single chapter. Street Smart is designed like a toolkit and each of the ten chapters holds a different key. The lessons come straight from my own journey; raw, unfiltered, and hard-earned. From being diagnosed with dyslexia, to navigating alcoholism, to not going to the “right” law school, I’ve faced my fair share of setbacks. But I turned every one of them into fuel.
This book is for the young person who walks into the room feeling underestimated and walks out owning it. It teaches you how to navigate high-pressure environments, whether you're in a studio, a boardroom, or a negotiation table. It’s about learning to trust your instincts, sharpen your emotional intelligence, and lead with both heart and strategy.
Throughout the book, I discuss the importance of doing the grunt work and building your foundation, because without a strong sense of self, it’s easy to get knocked off course especially in business. Chapter six dives into how to build a core skill set while also honoring your values. Any high stakes business can be chaotic and cutthroat, but if you know who you are and what you bring to the table, that’s your superpower.
This book isn’t just about survival; it’s about standing tall in your own voice and learning how to play the game without losing yourself in it.
