Our History

‍Foundations in Music
Keynes traces its roots back to the dynamic music scene of the late 1970s in Sydney, where the firm’s co-founders, John Keynes and Lisa Johnson, first met. John, a skilled attorney with a passion for jazz and blues, was a regular at local venues like The Basement and the Sydney Opera House. Lisa, on the other hand, hailed from a family deeply embedded in the classical music community, her parents being renowned musicians who frequently collaborated with top composers and orchestras in Australia.

‍Early Days and Vision
‍Their shared passion for music and justice led to the establishment of Keynes & Johnson in the early 1980s, during a time when the music industry was undergoing significant transformation. The advent of new recording technologies and media formats was reshaping how music was produced, distributed, and consumed. Seeing the  challenges and opportunities this brought for artists and producers, John and Lisa set out to create a firm that would not only advocate for the rights of musicians but also help them navigate the rapidly evolving landscape.
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‍Building a Reputation
‍Keynes & Johnson quickly gained a reputation for their groundbreaking work in copyright, particularly in pioneering work that set new standards for the protection of digital music rights. They were among the first to tackle issues surrounding digital sampling and online music streaming, defending artists and creators long before these became industry-standard practices.

‍Expanding the Practice
‍Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, as the firm grew, so did its scope of services. Keynes & Johnson expanded to include entertainment more broadly, encompassing film, television, and later on, emerging digital content platforms. The firm played a critical role in several landmark copyright and contract cases that helped define the boundaries of fair use and artists’ rights in the digital age. In 1997 Lisa retired from the company which lead to the rebranding to Keynes, the brand the company operates under until this day.

‍Global Influence
‍In the 2010s, recognizing the global nature of the music industry, Keynes established deep partnerships with firms in New York and Tokyo, broadening their ability to serve clients internationally. This expansion allowed the firm to offer comprehensive support to artists and music companies navigating international activities, cross-border licensing agreements, and multinational distribution deals.

‍Today
‍Today, Keynes stands as a testament to the vision of its founders. With a team comprising some of the most knowledgeable and respected minds in music, the firm continues to influence the industry by championing the careers of artists worldwide. As the music industry continues to evolve with new technologies like blockchain and AI, Keynes remains at the forefront, ensuring that their clients are not only protected but also thriving in an ever-changing landscape.