Established in 1997
Our Story
The Cross Firm was established in June 1997. The Firm’s slogan is “Your Vision^Our Passion” and that phrase perfectly captures our story. The Firm started out representing individuals and small businesses that no one else took seriously and that other Lawyers did not want to represent. As a Law Firm, we could relate to our early clients, because no one was taking us seriously either. I still remember my clients confirming that the “Cross Firm” would be representing his/her/their interest and the opposing side responding with “Who”? Or “So what!!” or “Never heard of them.” What our early opponents failed to realize, until it was too late for most of them, was our belief that their Goliath was entering into the ring with our David. We were Resourceful, We were Tenacious, We were Fearless, but above all else, we believed in what we were doing as a Law Firm and even more importantly, we believed that as long as we were true to our Client’s vision and best interest, that God would protect us, bless us, and give us the wisdom to prevail – no matter what the odds looked like to others.
Well, to make a long story short, our client’s no longer concern themselves with asking whether or not the opposing side is going to respect his/her/their choice in legal representation. The Firm has engaged in hundreds of transactions of all sorts and of many different types both in and outside the Entertainment arena. The Firm has represented the interest of Platinum and Gold Artists as well as Producers, Independent Labels, Managers, Authors, Concert Promoters, Publishers, highly successful small and mid-size businesses of all types, Entrepreneurs with all sorts of products and service offerings, Real Estate investors, as well as men and women who have the need for wisdom and protection in their individual matters, because for the Firm, NO “Vision” is too small to serve and protect.
Whatever our client’s legal needs may turn out to be, we have made a commitment to be there with them through the highs and lows – through the thick and thin, and to surround them with other professionals if a particular service matter required by the client is outside our expertise.
Meet Attorney Leslie W. Cross, PC
Leslie Warren Cross, Jr., is a shareholder in the legal firm professionally known as The Cross Firm P.C. Mr. Cross is a father of five children. Mr. Cross was raised in Lubbock, Texas. He is a graduate of Dunbar High School also located in Lubbock. He later went on to attend his freshmen year of college at North Texas State University and eventually received his B.A. in Political Science from Texas Tech University in 1983. After graduation from College, Mr. Cross began his pursuit of a music related career. He managed a Hastings Record Store while playing in various bands as a guitarist. He spent one year in Carlsbad New Mexico, before being transferred to Houston, Texas in 1986. After his relocation to Houston, Mr. Cross continued playing and singing for various bands, but became dissatisfied with his progress. As a result, he decided to change his focus from the performance side of the music industry over to the business side. From there, he went on to Law School at South Texas College of Law eventually passing the State Bar in 1997. He opened up the Cross Firm P.C., shortly thereafter with a special focus on entertainment related matters.
Not only has Mr. Cross been involved on the legal side of the music industry, but as noted above, he performed as an artist and musician for a number of years. Additionally, Mr. Cross was co-owner in the critically acclaimed production company Southern Fried Entertainment, Inc., which was able to work and secure placements on a number of gold and platinum projects for its production work and music composition — in naming just a few of the placements, they include the following: Ice Cube, Trick Daddy, After 7, Scarface, and Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. Southern Fried Entertainment, Inc., also operated a highly recommended recording studio known as the Hit Kitchen. Additionally, Mr. Cross has extensive experience in artist management and producer management. Mr. Cross has placed a special emphasis on his management experience with producers several which have gone on to achieve gold and platinum track placements.
In reference to his legal experience in entertainment matters, Mr. Cross has extensive experience with drafting and structuring all forms of Recording Agreements, Publishing Agreements, Distribution Agreements, Performance Agreements, Digital Rights Agreements, Ring-tone Agreements, Electronic Download Agreements, Endorsement Agreements, Management Agreements, Merchandising Agreements, Production Agreements, Investor Agreements (of all sorts), Music Joint Venture Agreements, Music License Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Band Partnership Agreements, etc… Mr. Cross has repeatedly dealt with various management, financial, logistical and other more practical aspects of the entertainment industry as well.
Work Experience
Mr. Cross has extensive experience in negotiating a multitude of entertainment related deals and/or relationships. He has provided counsel to recording companies and/or publishing companies regarding inventory of music and also has been assigned the responsibility for overseeing administrative issues connected with the licensing and protection of music/master recording catalogues. He is also experienced with formulating and securing intellectual property rights related to all original ideas and concepts connected with musical projects and products and the structures behind them. He also has extensive experienced in negotiating a wide variety of licensing and endorsement agreements/arrangements for Artist, Beatmakers, Producers and Independent Record Labels.
More about the company
Our Principles
The Clients’ Team
The Firm believes that we are part of the clients’ overall team of advisors. This team may include the client’s CPA, financial advisor, other Law Firms, banker and insurance agents, management, administration, etc… We work within this team concept. We support the expertise that a client gets from the other members of the client’s team.
Service Delivery
The key to any successful law firm is service delivery. We know our clients want these five things from us: (1) a Superior Product; (2) Timely Delivery; (3) Continuity of Service; (4) Passion and Loyalty; and (5) Honest and Independent advice. Our Firm strives to deliver services that solve our clients’ problems on their time schedule. Successful services require a team approach among the attorney and paraprofessionals of the Firm and a partnership with the client. Our clients are usually long-term clients. Our clients call us with the frequency that they need services; however, we maintain a professional relationship with the client for years. The Firm’s client turnover rate is less than 20%.
Firm Staff
The Firm employs individuals who have embraced the Firm’s mission statement, purpose statement and slogan. The Firm’s systems, policies and protocols are all designed with one thing in mind: delivery of a First Class Legal Service at an affordable price that provides the highest possible opportunity for our client’s vision to succeed.
Client Selection
The Firm is selective with the clients we represent. Individuals who are unethical and who do not have a passion for what they are doing, are not taken on as clients. The Firm’s schedule is usually full, but the firm does add clients when our projected workload permits. If we are to achieve the five listed objectives, we cannot take on clients who are merely looking for the cheapest cost. We price our services to be competitive, but the cost is also derived from our desire to perform legal services that achieve the five objectives.
Legal Services
Our clients call us when they need help. We in turn communicate with our clients when we think they should be aware of a new development or strategy helpful to their business or profession. We communicate with our clients on a regular basis. The Firm understands that communication is the life-blood regarding durability of any relationship most especially with client/attorney relationships. The Firm uses technology to allow us to stay in contact with our client through electronic/digital means as well as more traditional methods such as phone calls and written correspondence. The Firm also understands that our clients expect our attorneys and support staff to maintain a continuity of knowledge that impacts the client’s business and personal affairs.