Written by Sonam Jhalani
On Day 3 of the Symposium, Doug Baldridge led an engaging discussion on celebrity representation. Baldridge has served as both outside and in-house counsel for high-profile clients, including Tiger Woods and Taylor Swift, and even shared some of his favorite Eras Tour moments with students.
Baldridge opened by discussing the key distinctions between representing celebrity clients and traditional corporate clients. In the celebrity context, reputation is paramount. Baldridge explained that effective advocacy requires that a lawyer know “it’s not about you.” He also reflected on his time as in-house counsel for Swift, emphasizing that much of his work was proactive rather than reactive—focused on anticipating and mitigating issues before they escalate into crises.
Baldridge then offered insight into his broader litigation strategy. When asked whether a celebrity’s status influences the behavior of judges and juries, Baldridge answered unequivocally: yes. This reality, he explained, necessarily informs how he approaches cases. Further, he noted that rather than attempting to shape media narratives, he ignores them.
Baldridge closed by sharing what he loves about representing celebrity clients, particularly Swift. For him, seeing them succeed, after witnessing firsthand the level of dedication and personal investment they bring to their work, is what makes the role so fulfilling.
