Christopher A. Schmidt

Founder  |  Business Attorney  |  Executive Advisor  |  Entrepreneur

Christopher A. Schmidt is the founder of Universal Law Group and a business attorney, entrepreneur, and executive with more than two decades of experience advising entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, established companies, and high-growth organizations on the legal and strategic issues that shape successful businesses.

His perspective comes from four directions at once: attorney, executive, entrepreneur, and advisor. That combination, more than any one credential, is what shapes how he practices law today.

Business Leadership

Chris currently serves as Chief Legal Officer of a health and wellness company that has generated more than $3 billion in lifetime sales. As a member of executive leadership, he helps guide responsible growth through corporate governance, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, intellectual property strategy, practical risk management, and the development of clear frameworks that connect business strategy with disciplined execution.

His career has given him a perspective that extends well beyond the traditional attorney-client relationship. Chris has advised businesses from the outside, built and managed his own law firm, served inside the executive leadership of a multibillion-dollar company, and developed and owned ventures and technologies of his own.

Universal Law Group

Before moving into his current corporate leadership role, Chris founded and led Universal Law Group as a business-focused law firm serving entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, privately held companies, and growth-stage businesses across numerous industries.

During his tenure leading Universal Law Group, Chris advised clients with national and international reach on matters involving business development, corporate transactions, contracts, real estate, entertainment, direct sales, regulatory compliance, technology, intellectual property, and strategic growth. His work has included representing and advising nationally recognized businesses, entrepreneurs, executives, entertainers, artists, producers, technology companies, real estate ventures, and other organizations navigating complex commercial and regulatory environments. Representative clients and matters are listed here.

Building Universal Law Group also gave Chris firsthand experience as an entrepreneur. In addition to practicing law, he was responsible for building a business, developing client relationships, managing people, making financial decisions, creating systems, identifying opportunities, and adapting to changing markets.

Entrepreneurship & Technology

Chris is also an entrepreneur and owner of several ventures and technologies spanning the music and business sectors. His experience developing, owning, and operating businesses gives him a practical perspective on many of the challenges his clients face, including developing and protecting intellectual property, structuring commercial relationships, evaluating opportunities, managing risk, building scalable operations, and turning ideas into sustainable businesses.

That experience continues to shape his approach to practicing law today.

Entertainment & Creative Industries

His experience also extends into entertainment and the creative industries, including film, music, talent, intellectual property, production, financing, distribution, licensing, and other business matters.

Chris has a particular interest in working with entrepreneurs and creatives because he understands that a great idea is only the beginning. Long-term success requires the right business structure, ownership arrangements, intellectual property protection, contracts, capitalization, relationships, and execution behind the idea.

He is passionate about helping founders and creatives better understand those structural foundations so they can build businesses, brands, intellectual property, and creative ventures designed to last.

Whether advising an entrepreneur launching a new company, negotiating a complex commercial relationship, protecting valuable intellectual property, evaluating a regulatory issue, or counseling executive leadership on a significant business decision, Chris focuses on creating clear legal and business frameworks that allow organizations to grow without sacrificing discipline, integrity, or momentum.

Throughout his career, Chris has remained passionate about mentorship, entrepreneurship, creativity, and helping people understand the business infrastructure behind successful organizations. He values thoughtful relationships with leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, and creatives who think long term, move with purpose, and care about building businesses that are designed to last.

Recognition

Universal Law Group was founded by Christopher A. Schmidt, who is licensed to practice law in Texas and Virginia and is responsible for the content of this website.

How the practice works

You work directly with the Universal Law Group attorney handling your matter. Scope and cost are agreed before the work starts, so the invoice never arrives as a surprise. Where the work allows it, matters are handled on a flat fee or an agreed scope rather than an open ended hourly arrangement.

Who the practice serves

Companies operating without in house counsel. Creators and rights holders in music, film, and television. Founders working through formation, ownership, and investment. Established businesses that need experienced help on a specific transaction.

Focus areas

• Business formation, governance, and corporate transactions
• Entertainment and media agreements, licensing, and chain of title
• Trademarks, copyrights, and intellectual property strategy
• Artificial intelligence, technology, data, and privacy compliance
• Contract drafting, review, and negotiation