David VodickaAfter more than a quarter of a century spent as a founding partner of Australia entertainment and commercial law firm Media Arts Lawyers, David Vodicka had started a new law firm.
Vodicka announced the news in a post shared on LinkedIn earlier today, referring to his new endeavours as “something I haven’t done in a very long time.”
“Media Arts Lawyers was an extraordinary chapter,” he explained. “I’m incredibly proud of what we built, the people I worked with, and the clients who trusted us over the years.
“But after 25 years, I found myself asking a simple question... If I were starting again today, what would I build?
“The answer was surprisingly simple,” he added. “More focused. More selective. More intentional.”
As a result, Wednesday, July 1st sees his beginning his “next chapter” as he heads up the newly-launched David Vodicka Music & Entertainment Lawyers.
Vodicka began his career in the entertainment world in the '80s, serving as both an announcer at Melbourne's 3RRR community radio, and a publisher for Fox Comics. By the late '80s, he had founded independent label Rubber Records, which still operates to this day, having released music by the likes of Jet, Even, Underground Lovers, Cordrazine, 1200 Techniques, Icecream Hands, and many more.
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Alongside Media Arts Lawyer's foundation around the start of the new millennium, Vodicka has also chaired the board of Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) and serves a board member of Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). He was also a previous board member of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and the Phonographic Performance Company Of Australia (PPCA).
“I’ve spent much of my career inside the music industry, not just advising it,” he continued. “As a lawyer, record label founder, music publisher, broadcaster, board director and industry advocate, I’ve had the opportunity to see this (entertainment) business from a few different angles. That experience will continue to inform how I think, how I advise, and what I value.
“Over time, it's reinforced something I've always believed: the most valuable advice comes long before a contract is negotiated, a dispute emerges, or a transaction reaches the table.
“It comes from understanding the industry, recognising the dynamics that matter, and helping clients navigate the decisions that shape careers, businesses, and creative assets – at all stages,” he added.
Vodicka's time at Media Arts Lawyers resulted in many wins for both him and the wider company, with his profile on the firm's website noting representation for "many high-profile musicians, celebrities and entertainment companies", and previous years resulting in the conclusion of "over A$100M in mergers and acquisitions including sales of entertainment businesses, festivals and sports tournaments."
In early 2025, Billboard listed Media Arts Lawyers as the first-ever Australian firm in its list of top music lawyers, congratulating the team on “another robust year facilitating deals with a long list of the country’s top acts and brightest newcomers,” and name-checking the likes of Tame Impala, Spacey Jane, Amyl And The Sniffers, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Dom Dolla as clients they’ve worked with or advised.
Late last year, Vodicka was also listed in The Music’s Power 50, describing him as “one of the most influential and respected figures in the Australian music industry.”
“Quite simply, Vodicka knows where all the skeletons are buried and there’s not too many tricks he hasn’t seen,” The Music said of Vodicka. “He knows how to negotiate and he knows all the key players.
“He knows copyright inside and out and as an ARIA board member of a few decades standing, he has had a hand in shaping the industry that we see today. “
In closing his announcement, Vodicka thanked his colleagues at Media Arts Lawyers, and expressed positivity for what was next.
“The firm’s new. The email’s new,” he concluded. “The phone number’s the same. So is the person answering it.”
