Idea Exchange
facebook linked in twitter youtube instagram
What's New

The LatestView All

December 5, 2019

Cybersecurity Attorney Kevin Mekler Joins Nelson Mullins in Tampa
close

Kelly L. Frey

Partner

One Nashville Place
150 Fourth Avenue, North
Suite 1100
Nashville, TN 37219
T 615.664.5304
M 860.209.5180
F 615.664.5399
kelly.frey@nelsonmullins.com
Email vCard Print PDF Photo

Kelly Frey assists clients in corporate acquisitions/divestitures, corporation transactions, and corporate compliance. He represents companies in various information technology and intellectual property transactions, including licensing, outsourcing, technology law, and vendor relationship and management. He helps with corporate governance matters and assists companies in creating sustainable, cost-effective, and defensible internal controls to mitigate compliance risks. He...

+ Read More

Kelly Frey assists clients in corporate acquisitions/divestitures, corporation transactions, and corporate compliance. He represents companies in various information technology and intellectual property transactions, including licensing, outsourcing, technology law, and vendor relationship and management. He helps with corporate governance matters and assists companies in creating sustainable, cost-effective, and defensible internal controls to mitigate compliance risks. He also represents  high net worth families and  serial entrepreneurs in structuring business transactions that create wealth and sustain it across multiple generations.  

In the technology sector, Mr. Frey is one of fewer than 10 attorneys in private practice to be named a Fellow in the World Technology Network (selected by more than 1,000 internationally recognized experts and futurists who are current Fellows for innovative legal work recognized to be of "the greatest likely long-term significance"). He is the author of Frey on Technology Transactions and Intellectual Property and dozens of other books and articles on technology, compliance, and law. 

Mr. Frey also represents indie film production and media companies and has served as executive producer for several feature films.  He recently completed judging for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys). Mr. Frey serves on the board of the Greater Nashville Arts and Business Council and is past-president of the Nashville Film Festival (an Oscar qualifying and one of the top 10 film festivals in the US), the Nashville Japanese Film Festival and the Franklin Theater.

also represents  high net worth families and  serial entrepreneurs in structuring business transactions that create wealth and sustain it across multiple generations.  

In the technology sector, Mr. Frey is one of fewer than 10 attorneys in private practice to be named a Fellow in the World Technology Network (selected by more than 1,000 internationally recognized experts and futurists who are current Fellows for innovative legal work recognized to be of "the greatest likely long-term significance"). He is the author of Frey on Technology Transactions and Intellectual Property and dozens of other books and articles on technology, compliance, and law. 

Mr. Frey also represents indie film production and media companies and has served as executive producer for several feature films.  He recently completed judging for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys). Mr. Frey serves on the board of the Greater Nashville Arts and Business Council and is past-president of the Nashville Film Festival (an Oscar qualifying and one of the top 10 film festivals in the US), the Nashville Japanese Film Festival and the Franklin Theater.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Lead counsel for $400 million information technology infrastructure outsourcing for the North American operations of international auto manufacturer
  • Lead counsel for disaster recovery outsourcing deal for headquarters location of Fortune 100 financial services company
  • Lead counsel for enterprise-wide, mission-critical software licensing for Fortune 500 manufacturer and marketer of prestigious skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products
  • Lead counsel for acquisition of national construction company by high net worth family
  • Lead counsel for acquisition and resultant operations of multiple tourist destinations for high net worth family
  • Former General Counsel to the Board of the Ethics and Compliance Association
  • Responsible for the creation and implementation of anti-corruption system for Fortune 10 technology company for more than 30,000 sales channel partners worldwide
  • Counsel and Associate Producer for “The Identical,” (with Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, and Seth Green,  winner of the coveted Audience Award at the 2014 Nashville Film Festival); Counsel for feature film “Hoovey;” Counsel for multiple feature productions and film investments for high net worth family; Executive Producer for the feature documentary “Eating You Alive” (with James Cameron and Samuel L. Jackson) and the feature narratives “Fogg,” “The Odds,” “John Doe,” and “All Light Will End”
  • Co-inventor for four technology/business method patents (assigned to his Fortune 100 insurance client) that anticipated current Usage Based Insurance (UBI) programs

Previous Professional Experience

  • Member/Partner, Private Practice with Nashville offices of national law firms (2003-2017)
  •  Attorney, Hartford Insurance Group – General Counsel to eCommerce subsidiaries of this Fortune 100 financial services company (2001-2003)
  • Vice President, Legal Affairs, eFavorites (2000-2001) - (one of the first social networking sites)
  • Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Audible.com (1999-2000) - (one of the first digital download companies) 
  • Vice President of Strategic Development and Counsel – Copyright Direct (IP/E-Commerce subsidiary of private company) (1997-1999) - Management responsibility for development and international product launch of a proprietary digital rights management system
  • General Counsel, Copyright Clearance Center (1992-1997) - Primary legal resource to the U.S. Reproduction Rights Organization for the publishing industry. Assisted in creation of first digital rights licensing system used by Fortune 500 through consensus negotiations with publishing industry . U.S. representative to the EU funded IMPRIMATUR program – developed the first digital rights trading platform
  • Attorney, Private Practice, Nashville (1982-1992)
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Lead counsel for $400 million information technology infrastructure outsourcing for the North American operations of international auto manufacturer
  • Lead counsel for disaster recovery outsourcing deal for headquarters location of Fortune 100 financial services company
  • Lead counsel for enterprise-wide, mission-critical software licensing for Fortune 500 manufacturer and marketer of prestigious skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products
  • Lead counsel for acquisition of national construction company by high net worth family
  • Lead counsel for acquisition and resultant operations of multiple tourist destinations for high net worth family
  • Former General Counsel to the Board of the Ethics and Compliance Association
  • Responsible for the creation and implementation of anti-corruption system for Fortune 10 technology company for more than 30,000 sales channel partners worldwide
  • Counsel and Associate Producer for “The Identical,” (with Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, and Seth Green,  winner of the coveted Audience Award at the 2014 Nashville Film Festival); Counsel for feature film “Hoovey;” Counsel for multiple feature productions and film investments for high net worth family; Executive Producer for the feature documentary “Eating You Alive” (with James Cameron and Samuel L. Jackson) and the feature narratives “Fogg,” “The Odds,” “John Doe,” and “All Light Will End”
  • Co-inventor for four technology/business method patents (assigned to his Fortune 100 insurance client) that anticipated current Usage Based Insurance (UBI) programs

Previous Professional Experience

  • Member/Partner, Private Practice with Nashville offices of national law firms (2003-2017)
  •  Attorney, Hartford Insurance Group – General Counsel to eCommerce subsidiaries of this Fortune 100 financial services company (2001-2003)
  • Vice President, Legal Affairs, eFavorites (2000-2001) - (one of the first social networking sites)
  • Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Audible.com (1999-2000) - (one of the first digital download companies) 
  • Vice President of Strategic Development and Counsel – Copyright Direct (IP/E-Commerce subsidiary of private company) (1997-1999) - Management responsibility for development and international product launch of a proprietary digital rights management system
  • General Counsel, Copyright Clearance Center (1992-1997) - Primary legal resource to the U.S. Reproduction Rights Organization for the publishing industry. Assisted in creation of first digital rights licensing system used by Fortune 500 through consensus negotiations with publishing industry . U.S. representative to the EU funded IMPRIMATUR program – developed the first digital rights trading platform
  • Attorney, Private Practice, Nashville (1982-1992)

Articles & Speeches

Visit Idea Exchange

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney’s inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Professional Activities

  • Nashville Bar Association, Business Law Committee, Co-Chair
  • Nashville Bar Foundation

Community

  • Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, Board Member (2018-present); Vice Chair (2019-2020)
  • Nashville Japanese Film Festival Board, President (2017-2018); Vice President (2019-2020)
  • Nashville Film Festival, Board, Vice President (2013-2014); President (2014-2015)
  • Historic Franklin Theatre, Board of Governors, President (2018)
  • Studio Tenn, Board of Directors; Officer (2017-2018)
  • Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts, Volunteer
  • Member of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and Judge (for Emmys)

Kelly Frey assists clients in corporate acquisitions/divestitures, corporation transactions, and corporate compliance. He represents companies in various information technology and intellectual property transactions, including licensing, outsourcing, technology law, and vendor relationship and management. He helps with corporate governance matters and assists companies in creating sustainable, cost-effective, and defensible internal controls to mitigate compliance risks. He... also represents  high net worth families and  serial entrepreneurs in structuring business transactions that create wealth and sustain it across multiple generations.  

In the technology sector, Mr. Frey is one of fewer than 10 attorneys in private practice to be named a Fellow in the World Technology Network (selected by more than 1,000 internationally recognized experts and futurists who are current Fellows for innovative legal work recognized to be of "the greatest likely long-term significance"). He is the author of Frey on Technology Transactions and Intellectual Property and dozens of other books and articles on technology, compliance, and law. 

Mr. Frey also represents indie film production and media companies and has served as executive producer for several feature films.  He recently completed judging for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys). Mr. Frey serves on the board of the Greater Nashville Arts and Business Council and is past-president of the Nashville Film Festival (an Oscar qualifying and one of the top 10 film festivals in the US), the Nashville Japanese Film Festival and the Franklin Theater.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Lead counsel for $400 million information technology infrastructure outsourcing for the North American operations of international auto manufacturer
  • Lead counsel for disaster recovery outsourcing deal for headquarters location of Fortune 100 financial services company
  • Lead counsel for enterprise-wide, mission-critical software licensing for Fortune 500 manufacturer and marketer of prestigious skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products
  • Lead counsel for acquisition of national construction company by high net worth family
  • Lead counsel for acquisition and resultant operations of multiple tourist destinations for high net worth family
  • Former General Counsel to the Board of the Ethics and Compliance Association
  • Responsible for the creation and implementation of anti-corruption system for Fortune 10 technology company for more than 30,000 sales channel partners worldwide
  • Counsel and Associate Producer for “The Identical,” (with Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, and Seth Green,  winner of the coveted Audience Award at the 2014 Nashville Film Festival); Counsel for feature film “Hoovey;” Counsel for multiple feature productions and film investments for high net worth family; Executive Producer for the feature documentary “Eating You Alive” (with James Cameron and Samuel L. Jackson) and the feature narratives “Fogg,” “The Odds,” “John Doe,” and “All Light Will End”
  • Co-inventor for four technology/business method patents (assigned to his Fortune 100 insurance client) that anticipated current Usage Based Insurance (UBI) programs

Previous Professional Experience

  • Member/Partner, Private Practice with Nashville offices of national law firms (2003-2017)
  •  Attorney, Hartford Insurance Group – General Counsel to eCommerce subsidiaries of this Fortune 100 financial services company (2001-2003)
  • Vice President, Legal Affairs, eFavorites (2000-2001) - (one of the first social networking sites)
  • Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Audible.com (1999-2000) - (one of the first digital download companies) 
  • Vice President of Strategic Development and Counsel – Copyright Direct (IP/E-Commerce subsidiary of private company) (1997-1999) - Management responsibility for development and international product launch of a proprietary digital rights management system
  • General Counsel, Copyright Clearance Center (1992-1997) - Primary legal resource to the U.S. Reproduction Rights Organization for the publishing industry. Assisted in creation of first digital rights licensing system used by Fortune 500 through consensus negotiations with publishing industry . U.S. representative to the EU funded IMPRIMATUR program – developed the first digital rights trading platform
  • Attorney, Private Practice, Nashville (1982-1992)

Education

  • University of Tennessee College of Law, JD (1982)
  • Vanderbilt Graduate Medical School, MS, Human Pathology (1978)
  • Vanderbilt University, BA (1973)

Admissions

  • Tennessee

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Nashville Bar Association, Business Law Committee, Co-Chair
  • Nashville Bar Foundation
  • Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, Board Member (2018-present); Vice Chair (2019-2020)
  • Nashville Japanese Film Festival Board, President (2017-2018); Vice President (2019-2020)
  • Nashville Film Festival, Board, Vice President (2013-2014); President (2014-2015)
  • Historic Franklin Theatre, Board of Governors, President (2018)
  • Studio Tenn, Board of Directors; Officer (2017-2018)
  • Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts, Volunteer
  • Member of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and Judge (for Emmys)
What's New
Idea Exchange
Top