Bob Dylan Was Introduced to Folk Music by His Future Lawyer's Relative
Orin Snyder grew up surrounded by artists, then spent his career representing them.
Original Jurisdiction · Trial Lawyer To The Stars: Orin SnyderDecades before trial lawyer Orin Snyder represented Bob Dylan, Snyder's relative introduced a young Dylan to the folk music scene in Manhattan in 1961.
That relative was Ramblin' Jack Elliott, one of the best known folk singers of his time and Snyder's father's first cousin. Snyder says he grew up surrounded by painters, singers, and writers, many of them friends of his parents, and that art and culture were simply part of daily life.
Years later, representing Dylan and other stars gave Snyder what he calls "a front row seat to genius." Through that proximity, Snyder says, he got to "see the world through their eyes."
Questions people ask
Who was Ramblin' Jack Elliott?
He was an American folk singer and a protege of Woody Guthrie, known for his cowboy songs, rambling style, and weathered voice. He won two Grammy Awards for traditional folk recordings and was a mentor to younger musicians in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s.
How did a young Bob Dylan end up in the New York folk scene?
Dylan arrived in New York in early 1961 from Minnesota, drawn by his admiration for Woody Guthrie and the growing folk revival in Greenwich Village. He began playing small clubs and coffeehouses, where established folk singers helped him get noticed by audiences and record labels.
What kind of law does Orin Snyder practice now?
Snyder is a partner at the large law firm Gibson Dunn, where he handles high stakes trials and disputes. His clients have included major entertainers such as Dylan, Jerry Seinfeld, and Lady Gaga, as well as media, technology, and financial companies.