Entertainment attorney and legal commentator, Thomas Valentino founded The Counsel, PLLC in 1999, providing legal counsel and strategic advice for creative talent, songwriters, digital properties, media organizations, senior level entertainment executives and the sale of music publishing catalogues. 
An expert in contract negotiations, music publishing and performing rights, Valentino is credited with discovering and negotiating multi-million-dollar publishing, recording and merchandising deals for artists such as Kid Rock, Big & Rich, Uncle Kracker and Gretchen Wilson. He has also represented Jose Feliciano, Leon Russell, Molly Hatchet, PEOPLE.com, greenROKS Gaming Ventures, Google music streaming service Songza, and Michael Knox, Producer of Jason Aldean. 
Tommy is an investor and shareholder in the Zach Sang Show, the top millennial radio show in the US, nationally syndicated by Westwood One/Cumulus Media. Valentino is the founder and principal of Zen Bulldog Entertainment, a music publishing and production joint venture with BMG specializing in music for film and television projects. He is a regular contributor to the SiriusXM morning show “Feedback” offering unique breakdowns of complex and controversial legal cases affecting the music industry. 
Prior to establishing his own firm, Valentino was a senior executive in Writer/ Publisher relations at both BMI and ASCAP, specializing in talent acquisitions and business development. Tommy enhanced and secured key relationships with media companies including Viacom, Sony, Universal, and The Warner Music Group. He also signed and advised many artists on publishing and performing rights issues including Alanis Morissette, Mariah Carey, Seal, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. A knowledgeable and passionate advocate for the art of songwriting, Valentino established the BMI Legal Series, an industry forum that educates young songwriters and publishers about their rights as creators of intellectual property. He also played an integral role in lobbying for pro-songwriter legislation to improve payments to songwriters and music publishers. 
Prior to working in performing rights, Tommy was the Managing Director of Willin’ David Music Publishing in Nashville, which he developed with Grammy award winning songwriter Will Jennings, composer of “My Heart Will Go On” and “Tears in Heaven” among others. 
An active supporter of numerous philanthropic and social organizations, Valentino was on the Board of Directors and the top fundraiser for the TJ Martell Foundation (a music industry group supporting innovative cancer, leukemia and medical research) and was Chairman of the Gala honoring Bill Clinton. He is a past member of the Community Advisory Board of PBS’s Channel Thirteen and served on the voting committee for the Channel Thirteen Community Hall of Fame Awards. Tommy created the Music Visionary Award with the UJA and has served on several committees for The Recording Academy, including Grammy in the Schools and the Entertainment Law Initiative. He is a voting member of SAG-AFTRA. 
A graduate of New York University, Valentino attended Hofstra University School of Law and clerked under the Court of Appeals for admission to the New York State Bar. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter.