“If I'm in a courtroom, something has gone very wrong,” joked attorney Steve Sidman as he described his unique practice, built on a client list populated by celebrity and acclaimed chefs, top-of-the-line restaurateurs, emerging and avant-garde musicians and creatives of all sorts.

In fact, things are going quite well for Sidman, who is settling into his new digs in the Atlanta main office of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, the newest addition to that firm's intellectual property group.

Recording artists, singers, songwriters, producers, independent record labels, production companies, actors and music and literary publishers are also part of his book of business. But it's his relationship with some of today's hottest chefs and restaurateurs that has separated him from the pack.