BESLA is proud to induct Matthew J. Middleton, Esq. into its 2025 Hall of Fame Class.

Former BESLA Chairman, 32 years of exceptional dedication and service

Matthew J. Middleton is the founder and principal of Middleton Law, P.C., a premier boutique entertainment law firm located in midtown Manhattan. With over 30 years of experience practicing law, Middleton has dedicated more than 27 years mastering transactional deal making in the entertainment industry making him a go-to advocate for clients navigating the complexities of the entertainment business.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Middleton has built a reputation for competency, integrity, and professionalism, representing a diverse array of clients, from recording artists, songwriters, producers, independent labels, executives and managers to filmmakers and financiers. He specializes in crucial aspects of the business, including complex music catalogue sales and acquisitions, recording, publishing & distribution deals, domestic and international touring, branding, sponsorship, and NIL deals as well as motion picture project licensing.

Before establishing Middleton Law, P.C., Mr. Middleton served as a partner at Simon, Eisenberg & Baum, LLP where he led the firm’s Entertainment Law Practice Group and also previously served as Of counsel to the firm of Sweeney, Johnson & Sweeney. During his career, Matt’s expertise has been utilized by several celebrity clients including recording artists such as, DMX, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Fabolous, Cam’ron, Shyne, G Herbo, Lil Uzi Vert and Yung Bleuto name a few, as well as, celebrity DJs D-Nice of Club Quarantine fame, and Beverly Bond, the creator of “Black Girls Rock!” Currently, Mr. Middleton continues to represent storied independent record label, Blackground Records (home to artist such as the late Aaliyah, Tank, Jo Jo, Timbaland & Magoo and new southern soul sensation Cecily Wilburn), as well as the hugely popular sports podcast “It Is What It Is” hosted by Cam’ron & Mase. From platinum selling artists and award winning producers Middleton also played a pivotal role in brokering the deal for the acclaimed film “Notorious” which tells the life story of the legendary Notorious B.I.G. as well as deals for raising filmmaker Manny Halley of Imani Entertainment (producer of the “True to the Game” and “Dutch” movie series and the “Angel” and “Legacy” TV series), and for actress and television personality Tami Roman star of the BET series “The Ms Pat Show” and “Haus of Vicious”.

Matthew began his legal journey as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s office where he honed his skills in the trial division prosecuting felony cases in New York State Supreme Court. In 1998 Middleton shifted his career focus to entertainment law full time and on a leap of faith co-founded the boutique entertainment law firm, Woods & Middleton, LLP, with his long-time partner, the late Edward L. Woods, where he served as the managing partner for many years.

A proud alumnus of Howard University School of Law, where he earned a full merit scholarship, and a cum laude graduate of Howard University’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. He is a member of the New York State Bar and previously served as an Adjunct Professor at NYU. His accolades include being named the 2014 "Entertainment Attorney of the Year" by the National Bar Association's Entertainment, & Sports Law Section and is consistently recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of the top Entertainment Lawyers annually. Rounding out his service, Mr. Middleton is a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., The Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and is a former board member of the New York Urban League.