Pioneer in Digital Media and Digital Music Law and Business
San Francisco, California
Zahavah Levine is a pioneer in the law and business of digital music and media. She spent the last 13 years at Google, in several roles. As the first lawyer and General Counsel of YouTube she helped negotiate its sale to Google in 2006. She stayed on as Associate General Counsel of Google and Chief Counsel of YouTube, where she oversaw music licensing and directed copyright and rights-management policies, including the development of YouTube’s landmark Content ID platform. She then moved from the legal to the business side, and as VP Partnerships, helped launch Google’s music service, Google Play Music, for which she managed all global partnerships including licensing and distribution. Most recently she managed Android’s partnerships with wireless carriers in North America.
Before YouTube, Zahavah helped develop the music streaming licensing model for Rhapsody, the first digital on-demand music subscription service. After RealNetworks acquired the company (Listen.com), Zahavah served as Director of Music Licensing and Associate General Counsel for RealNetworks, Inc. Throughout her career, she has been active in public policy and licensing reform initiatives. Zahavah’s accomplishments have been recognized with awards from Billboard Magazine (2012, 2013, 2014), Hollywood Reporter (2012) and Digital Media Wire (2011).
Zahavah graduated Order of the Coif from Berkeley Law School and received her BA from Brown University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Kitchen, a vibrant startup synagogue in San Francisco.
Partner: Jeff Meyer