After studying Modern European Intellectual and Cultural History at the University of Wisconsin, Laurence graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1969.
Founding Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in 1973, Laurence began an active participation in the local creative communities in Washington D.C., and then New York City and Accra Ghana, working with dance companies, performance artists, visual artists, art centers, musicians, production companies and galleries.
As one of the first local music lawyers in Washington, Laurence represented recording studios, record companies and well-known artists like Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, considered the “Godfather of Go-Go Music”. His first record company produced the local Washington D.C. “art bands” Tiny Desk Unit and Egoslavia.
Moving to New York City in 1994 Laurence founded a second record company, Global Beat – The Pulse of the Earth. Working out of the legendary recording studio Power Station and establishing the company’s US and international operations, with international distribution and a world-wide publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. Global Beat released albums featuring African, Native American, Caribbean, Chinese and Indian artists, winning music video awards and receiving accolades from the press and critics.
In addition to record company experience, Laurence has packaged and managed entertainment projects, and produced fashion shows, music videos, concerts at venues including the United Nations General Assembly Hall and the New Jersey Convention Center, and global virtual events.
Laurence is the Founder of RHYTHMS OF THE GLOBE® – EVOLVING LIFESTYLES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY®. RHYTHMS OF THE GLOBE is an entertainment company developing a wide-range of consumer-related products and services.
Executive Producer of the PURPOSE EARTH Grant and Mentorship Program Production Team, producing three global virtual events comprising interactive live and pre-recorded programming at the intersection of science, technology, transformative practices and the arts. (www.purposeearth.org).
Created, produced, and directed the annual Poetry Slam for Peace, in 2020 broadcast from the world-famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe on the Lower East Side of New York. (vimeo.com/464410257).
Laurence has been traveling to West Africa for more than 40 years, primarily Ghana, working closely with the local arts communities.
Currently producing Akwaaba, a romantic comedy of a woman’s self-discovery through an upbeat, humorous journey to present day Ghana — part of the new positive narratives to change perceptions of Africa through her creativity.
Working with the artists and galleries at Gallery Row, Labadi Beach, Accra, Ghana — Traditional and Contemporary African Art
Co-produced the Radford Graduate Fashion Show, to celebrate the first class to graduate from a university in Ghana with a degree in Fashion Design. Major sponsors were Ecobank, Vodafone and Google. The Fashion Show was attended by more than 400 people, including the Minister of Education, members of the National Accreditation Board.
Representation of clients in a variety of commercial and intellectual property actions in state courts and before United States District Courts and the United States Court of Appeals. Cases include sole counsel in litigation against Oracle Corporation for claims of misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract, against PolyGram Records for breach of contract and interference with contractual rights, and against the Department of Agriculture for race discrimination. Co-counsel in litigation against DreamWorks and Warner Entertainment for copyright infringement.
Laurence graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1969. He was involved in the restructuring of the telecommunications industry in the early 1970’s, authoring a seminal FCC decision on Federal/State jurisdiction and representing Western Union (then a telecommunications company) in yearlong negotiations headed by the FCC to bring AT&T in compliance with the United States District Court’s antitrust decision.
Co-Founded Fager & Singer, a boutique law firm in Washington D.C. Continuing his work in the telecommunications industry, Laurence was a consultant for the Department of Commerce and Department of State for telecommunications projects in Thailand and Mongolia. At Fager & Singer, Laurence’s experience expanded to corporate, entertainment, arts, non-profit, media and technology law, and intellectual property, negotiating and drafting the full range of commercial agreements and working with clients in the development and implementation of operating, marketing, and branding strategies.
Represented the Consumer Federation of America at meetings with the Congressional Research Service relating to the deregulation of the telecommunications sector.
Introduced private bills in Congress.
Adviser to nonprofit organizations for the development and implementation of operating, marketing and branding strategies.
Represent Global Family for Love and Peace at the United Nations for 20 years, focusing our work on the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, the Culture of Peace, and intercultural dialogue.
Mentor, Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Mentor, PURPOSE EARTH’s Grant and Mentorship Program
Presently serving on the Board of Directors of UNITY EARTH, The Immediate Life, the Indigenous Cultural Education Center (also a co-founder), the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY and the Peace Ling Center. Served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, and a Member of the Board of District Curators, the Alvin Ailey School, and Jennifer Muller Dance Theater.
Co-Organizer, The Sound of Peace – A Sunset Celebration for the United Nations International Day of Peace at the Chapel of the Church Centre for the United Nations.
Assisted in the initiation of the annual Central Park Vigil for Peace and Ecology.
Assisted in the establishment of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns.
Producer, Youth United Against Malaria Concert with major artists from around the world in the
United Nations General Assembly Hall, for the Global Youth Summit.
Past Member, Planning Committee for the Annual DPI/NGO Conference.
Served on the United Religions Initiative Multi-Region Leadership Team.
