Ronald S. Bienstock

Ronald S. “Ron” Bienstock, attorney, and musician, joined Scarinci Hollenbeck after running his successful boutique entertainment and intellectual property law firm, Bienstock & Michael, LLC, for 30 years. A corporate, entertainment, and intellectual property practitioner, he represents various businesses as well as music instrument manufacturers and songwriters, producers, recording artists, and musicians. As one of the most influential lawyers in the music business, Ron has a lifetime of accomplishments in the entertainment industry.

Among his many landmark legal precedents, both international and domestic, was a trademark victory against Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Representing 17 guitar manufacturers in the trademark opposition proceeding against Fender, Ron successfully argued that Fender should not be allowed trademark registrations to three key guitar and bass body shapes. It is the leading case on the issue in the U.S. Ron was amongst the first music attorneys to create intraband agreements and bifurcated major label and publishing agreements.

Ron is an adjunct professor at NYU and is a CLE instructor for Lawline.com and the N.Y. and N.J. Bar Associations Mr. Bienstock has been a guest lecturer for music business programs at Ithaca College, the Alaska Bar Association, USC Thornton School of Music, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Seton Hall Law School, William Paterson University, Rutgers Law School, Berklee College of Music, Chicago Kent College of Law, Sabian / Sen, NAMM and many other schools and organizations.

Mr. Bienstock has represented such writers, producers, professional esports players, and artists as Billy Joel, Joe Satriani, Living Colour, Goo Goo Dolls, Simple Plan, Dream Theater, Winger, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Greg Phillinganes, Joe Bergamini, Shawn Patterson (“Everything Is Awesome”), Peggy Stanziale, Beth Hart, King Crimson, Carmine Appice, Darryl Jones, Bernard Fowler, 24/7 Spyz, Steve Morse, Rod Morgenstein, David Ellefson, Steven Haigler, Reverend Barry and the Funk, Leslie West, Mountain, Bobby Sanabria, Quicksand, Sick Of It All, Shelter, Murphy’s Law, Liquid Tension Experiment, HAWA, 22 Brides, DMB the Vibes, Daru Jones, Jane Getter, John Petrucci, Kodiak, Nektar, Doug Wimbish, Warzone, Haken, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Agnostic

Front, Richard Howell, Ken Hensley, Atlas Gray, Robeone, Bent Knee, Tony Pasko, Barrett Strong, Gordon Bahary, Thomas “ZooMaa” Paparatto, Chris Buono, Thank You Scientist, Falset, A Deer A Horse, LLC, Stryper, Mach Five, The Offering, Dixie Dregs, Richard Danielpour among many others. 

Former general counsel to Hoshino, the manufacturer of Ibanez Guitars electronics and Tama drums, Ron’s clients include Peavey, Burns of London, Gruhn Guitars, Collings Guitars, Cordoba Guitars, Guild Guitars, Warmoth Custom Guitar Parts, Dean Guitars, Caparison Guitar Co. Ltd., Solo Music Gear Ltd., ESP, Sadowsky Guitars, Hipshot Products, Kyser, Schecter Guitars, EMG, Fishman, Washburn, World Musical Instrument Co. Ltd., John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., EA Amps, Michael Tobias Designs, Framus & Warwick, Xvive USA LLC, Saga Music Instruments, Veillette Guitars, James Trussart Guitars, JHS Pedals, Kala Brand Music Co., DiMarzio, La Bella Strings, Benedetto Guitars, W.D. Music Products, Elrick Bass Guitars, Tradition Guitars, Cannonball Musical Instruments, JAM Industries USA, Inc., The Music Zoo, KMC Music, Novax Guitars, Ltd., Shenzhen Mooer Audio Co., Ltd., NS Designs. Cort Musical Instruments Co., Ltd., Seger Guitars, Mosrite USA, Loknob, Chafin Guitars, Fodera Guitars, Empirical Labs, D’Andrea Inc., Heritage Guitars, Miki Musical Instruments Co. Ltd., Lokai, Carlino Guitars, Fu-Tone, Inc., Fodera Guitar Partners, LLC, F Bass, NBE Corp. s. r. o., Traveler Guitar, Phantom Guitars Works, Eastman Music, AXL Musical Instruments Co., Ltd., Daisy Rock Dynasty, Magnatone, Seger Guitars, Lucky Dog Custom Guitars, Soloette, Win-D-Fender, Artist Guitars, Rockin’ Roll Relics, Phantom Guitar Works, Catedosa Guitars, Roman Guitars LLC, TV Jones, Chapman Guitars, Dingwall Guitars, and JodyJazz, Inc.

As a performing and recording musician, Ron has performed extensively with various major recording artists. He co-founded “The Suits” and has appeared on Conan O’Brien and CNBC. Ron’s Blue East ensemble performs throughout the Metro area. He also records and performs with former Renaissance guitarist, Ryche Chlanda, in Ryche Chlanda and Flying Dreams. They have released two LP’s on Sony / The Orchard / TransGlobal Records.