BESLA

Chairwoman

Adrienne C. Williams, Esq.

NYC Office of Technology and Innovation

General Counsel,

Adrienne has over 20 years of experience providing strategic legal and business guidance to fortune 500 companies, technology start-ups and media companies on intellectual property, AI, privacy and data uses, product counseling, compliance strategies, digital transformation, multi-channel marketing and advertising and monetization strategies.

Formerly, as Director, Associate General Counsel of WhatsApp Business, she led its global product team and counseled executives on business development, monetization strategy, privacy, competition law, compliance, and data use.

Prior to joining Meta, Adrienne served as Assistant General Counsel at Microsoft, where she focused on the acceleration of digital transformation of enterprise customers spanning key industry verticals. Areas of counsel include intellectual property, business development, data use, privacy and responsible use AI.

Adrienne has also supported a wide range of professional technical engagements and strategic deals with technology partners and start-ups.

Adrienne began her career in entertainment law, with roles at Discovery Communications, Arista Records, Woods & Middleton, P.C. and Ossé & Woods, P.C. supporting clients and companies across music, television, marketing, merchandising, licensing and digital distribution.

Explore BESLA Members

Board Member

Brian K. Broughton, Esq.

Former Vice-President of Business Affairs

The Walt Disney Company

Business Operations Consultant

Sheina P. Waddell

President

Waddell Entertainment Consultants, LLC

Immediate Past Chairman

Leron E. Rogers, Esq.

Partner, Entertainment & Sports Law

Fox Rothchild

Vice President

Lita T. Rosario-Richardson, Esq.

Chair, Entertainment Law Group

Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A.

Board Member

Allison Hobbs, Esq.

Senior Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs

ViacomCBS

Discover the Benefits of Membership

Join BESLA and unlock exclusive membership benefits

Stay Connected with BESLA

Get updates on events, opportunities, and initiatives shaping our community.

© 2026 Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) All Rights Reserved. BESLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.