how much does a entertainment attorney cost

by Maude Kuphal 7 min read

Understand up front that most attorneys bill on an hourly basis (often between $300 and $700 an hour) and send a bill at the end of each month. Some attorneys bill on a fixed-fee basis, in which you pay a set amount for services (expect to pay $5,000 to $25,000 to negotiate a major entertainment deal, for instance).

How to become an entertainment attorney?

Some entertainment attorneys will give you an hour of their time – a la carte – for a fee, often between about $350 per hour to $600 or more per hour (the closer to L.A., New York, or other major cities, generally the higher the hourly fee).

What is the curriculum of an entertainment law degree?

Feb 23, 2022 · How Much Does a Music Lawyer Cost admin 2022-02-23T18:36:31+00:00 Option 4: Production Consultant – Very often, a funded film will hire a lawyer as a “production consultant” to meet all the legal needs of the film through pre-production, post-production and distribution.

What are entertainment lawyers?

Dec 22, 2012 · Lawyers, including entertainment lawyers, can customarily charge anywhere from $150/hour to $600/hour. To review a 15-page agreement and write comments and/or proposed revisions would typically take about 2-3 hours. Negotiations with an opposing attorney and further revisions could take another couple of hours.

What is an entertainment attorney?

May 21, 2021 · How Much Does an Entertainment Lawyer Cost? Entertainment lawyers use different methods of billing for different services. Many attorneys charge an hourly rate for court representation, advisement, and document creation and review. Some also use flat rates as well. Contingency rates are also used, either when your lawyer thinks you have a ...

image

What is the standard retainer rate for entertainment lawyers?

The standard retainer rate depends heavily on the type of services that individual will be providing. It may start at $1000 for contractual and/or advisement issues and go up to $100,000 should they be retained for litigation. Before agreeing to any terms with an entertainment lawyer, inquire about their retainer fee.

What does an entertainment lawyer do?

They secure talent releases, advise their clients on jobs and contracts, and negotiate fee arrangements. Connecting clients with other service providers: An entertainment lawyer can serve as a liaison between the talent and other professionals, from agents and tax preparers to networks and venues.

How do I choose an entertainment lawyer?

Meet with the attorney for an interview. Ask questions that will help you decide if the attorney is someone you will want to work with and who can do what you need. Ask about experience. The label "entertainment lawyer" is very broad. You need a lawyer who specializes in what you are doing.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaPatent attorney: $180,000.Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.Trial attorneys: $134,000.Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.More items...•Dec 14, 2021

Who is the most powerful lawyer in the world?

Here are the top 10 highest paid criminal lawyers in the world:Jose Baez. Jose Baez is the best lawyer in the world, with a net worth of $7 million. ... Willie E. Gary. ... John Branca. John graduated from UCLA Law School with a law degree. ... Vernon Jordan. ... Harish Salve. ... Vikkie Ziegler. ... Stacey Gardner. ... Howard K.More items...

How long do you have to be in school to be a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school—4 years of undergraduate study, followed by 3 years of law school. Most states and jurisdictions require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).Sep 8, 2021

How can entertainment lawyers add value to their clients?

Entertainment lawyers negotiate contracts on behalf of their clients and advise artistesabout business deals and also protect the creative rights of their clients. ... They help the artiste secure the necessary rights while sampling or using another artiste's work so that they don't go against the copyright act.May 25, 2020

WHAT ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS CHARGE – How much should fees be for music attorney services?

If you’re in the market for an entertainment attorney in the music business… Congratulations! You’re on the rise, finally getting paid for your craft and need someone in your corner looking out for your best interests. Few make it this far, but mo’ money, mo’ problems, right?

This Is What Entertainment Lawyers Cost

Prospective artists who are signed (or soon to be signed) with a recording agreement, as well as producers and songwriters who produce and write songs for these artists, often ask “how much do entertainment lawyers cost?” Unfortunately, when they ask around, they usually get different answers.

Neil Pedersen

I think you will find a more qualified group of attorneys to answer this question if I redirect your post to the Entertainment Practice Area instead of the general Contracts Practice Area. Good luck to you.

David M. Slater

Lawyers, including entertainment lawyers, can customarily charge anywhere from $150/hour to $600/hour. To review a 15-page agreement and write comments and/or proposed revisions would typically take about 2-3 hours. Negotiations with an opposing attorney and further revisions could take another couple of hours.

Rabeh M. A. Soofi

Dear Poster, Your instincts on this one are right - there are often NUMEROUS provisions in entertainment contracts that can be heavily in favor of managers and the label, and not the artist/talent. They are difficult to understand (especially royalties payments).

Philip Leon Marcus

What they charge depends on both the time they expect to consume, which in turn depends on how many pages, and whether they will also be negotiating changes, and finally what they feel an hour of their time is worth. In other words, it is quite uncertain...

Pamela Koslyn

Probably 2 hours, at whatever their hourly rate is. No entertainment lawyer would agree to accept the typical 5% percentage of the client's income unless the client is already well established.

Bartley F Day

It's going to vary significantly from one entertainment attorney to another. But If it's a fairly standard type management agreement, it shouldn't cost you more than a few hundred dollars to have an attorney review the agreement and give you his/her initial take on the agreement.

What does an entertainment lawyer do?

Entertainment lawyers represent people in the entertainment industry (authors, musicians, actors, producers, etc.) in lawsuits and can advise them about contracts they’re entering into.

What to do if you are being sued?

If you’re being sued, an entertainment lawyer will do their best to prove your innocence or reduce any charges against you. There are no guarantees in a lawsuit, but having a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the law and court procedure will give you your best chance.

What is contingency rate?

Contingency rates are also used, either when your lawyer thinks you have a strong case and you’re asking for compensation, or for long term representation. For long term representation a lawyer will generally charge a percentage of your earnings, though only if you have a steady income.

What happens if you sue another person?

If you’re suing another person and win your case, you can expect to win either compensation or the sole rights to your work.

Is Rocket Lawyer a lawyer?

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.

What is an attorney in the entertainment industry?

For better or worse, however, attorneys are part of the fabric of the entertainment industry. They facilitate connections between performers, producers, and venues, and assist in drafting and negotiating contracts.

How much do attorneys charge per hour?

Understand up front that most attorneys bill on an hourly basis (often between $300 and $700 an hour) and send a bill at the end of each month. Some attorneys bill on a fixed-fee basis, in which you pay a set amount for services (expect to pay $5,000 to $25,000 to negotiate a major entertainment deal, for instance).

Why is hourly billing so difficult?

Hourly billing is tricky, because it's difficult to know how many hours a particular task will take. If you can, get your attorney to agree to fixed fees for certain work rather than hourly billings. For example, if your attorney is negotiating a merchandising deal, get a flat rate for the whole job.

Why do entertainers hire lawyers?

The most common reason that an entertainer hires a lawyer is to review, draft, or negotiate a contract.

What is the most common method of payment for attorneys?

The so-called "billable hour" is still the most common method of payment. Many attorneys ask for a retainer, which is an advance payment for legal work. The amount of the retainer is included in the attorney-client fee agreement.

What is fee agreement?

The fee agreement is negotiated between you and your lawyer and establishes the payments and the lawyer's responsibilities. It is usually contained within a broader retainer agreement, the contract between you and your lawyer outlining your relationship.

How to choose an attorney?

Don't choose an attorney purely based on his or her "know-how." Consider also style and personality. While these qualities might seem superficial, remember that you may spend long hours working together. You may prefer to be represented by an attorney whose style and demeanor correspond with yours. Do you want someone aggressive? Ambitious? Accommodating? Serious? Boisterous?

Carrie Ann Ward

Most lawyers charge on an hourly basis or a flat fee basis per project. I general charge a flat fee for review of one entertainment related contract. It all depends on the attorney's billing practices.#N#More

Jason Richard Thomas

There's nothing I can add to my colleagues' answers except a little bit of advice when it comes to fees. If all you are looking for is a contract review, then there should be absolutely no need for you to be paying a percentage of your income.

Brian Allen Rosenblatt

I agree with most of the comments from my colleagues. Typically, attorneys will bill by the hour, but in some cases they will bill on a flat fee (per project), or as a percentage of income derived from the contract. If you are asking how long should it take to read through a recording contract...that really depends on how complex the contract is.

J Scott Scarbrough

I agree with my colleagues. An experienced entertainment lawyer, licensed in Illinois is who you want. It is not simply reading the contract, but carefully analyzing each clause in the contract and then going over each clause with you to explain exactly what each means and what that means in your situation.

Marc Jacobson

some attorneys charge flat fees, others charge by the hour, and others may charge 5-10% of your income. It all depends on what you negotiate and with whom you feel most comfortable.#N#Long term relationships are built one step at a time.

Thomas O. Moens

You would need to contact attorneys individually. Attorneys set their own fees, which can vary widely. Generally you would pay by the hour rather than by the page.

Sekou Campbell

There are a broad range of prices for such a service. It generally is not a "per page" price but rather depends on the complexity of the arrangement, the value of the deal and the experience level of the reviewing attorney. You're in Chicago.

How much does an Entertainment Attorney make?

As of Aug 26, 2021, the average annual pay for an Entertainment Attorney in the United States is $91,798 a year.

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Entertainment Attorney Jobs

We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for an Entertainment Attorney job is above the national average. Topping the list is Sunnyvale, CA, with Santa Cruz, CA and Santa Rosa, CA close behind in the second and third positions.

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Entertainment Attorney Jobs in the U.S

We found at least five jobs related to the Entertainment Attorney job category that pay more per year than a typical Entertainment Attorney salary. Top examples of these roles include: Contracts Attorney, Attorney Partner, and Healthcare Attorney.

Top searched states for Entertainment Attorney Salaries

By clicking the button above, I agree to the ZipRecruiter Terms of Use and acknowledge I have read the Privacy Policy, and agree to receive email job alerts.

What is entertainment lawyer?

What is an entertainment lawyer? Unlike divorce or corporate lawyers, an entertainment lawyer represents and protects the interests of creatives, companies and others in the many areas of the entertainment industry, such as film, television, new media, theater, publishing and music.

Which states offer competitive financial advantages for productions?

Many states outside of California and New York offer competitive financial advantages for productions, making it attractive to creatives on a budget to film in these other locations with local crew and other resources at their disposal.

What is intellectual property?

Intellectual property, or IP, is big business. From a screenwriter’s spec script to a musician’s original song, anything created within this industry necessitates protection from those who may want to buy it, option it, license it—or infringe upon it with unauthorized use. An entertainment lawyer can see to it that a client’s intellectual property is handled properly and protected when copyright or trademark issues arise.

Do entertainment lawyers provide free consultations?

Yes, most entertainment lawyers will provide a brief complimentary consultation. Keep in mind, though, that this consultation isn’t about getting free information for a legal issue. Rather, the consultation is to determine if that particular lawyer will be a good fit for your needs. 10.

Is an entertainment lawyer an employee?

Is an entertainment lawyer hired as an employee or contractor? Unless you are potentially forming a company that would require the ongoing services of an entertainment lawyer, they would not be hired as an employee. Rather, they are a contractor who is part of a law firm or the proprietor of their own business. 16.

Do entertainment lawyers charge hourly?

Very commonly, lawyers charge an hourly rate, but it’s possible to hire one who uses flat rates for particular services as well. Should you hire an entertainment lawyer for a court case, you may even be able to negotiate having their fee—or contingency rate—come out of the expected settlement.

Does a junior associate make more than a senior partner?

Well, that depends on several factors. For one, a junior associate at a law firm will not have an hourly rate as high as a senior partner. Two, the nature of the work itself can impact overall salary. Three, the more clients a lawyer has, the higher the salary they are likely to make.

How much do entertainment lawyers make?

Entertainment lawyers made salaries closer to the industry average in Los Angeles and Dallas -- $87,000 and $82,000, respectively.

What is entertainment lawyer?

Entertainment lawyers advise clients on movie and recording contracts, review and approve all promotional and distribution agreements related to celebrities, protect material that is copyrighted, and help negotiate entertainers' fees and royalties with movie, television and music production companies. Anyone who wants to become an entertainment ...

How long does it take to become an entertainment lawyer?

In order to become an entertainment lawyer, one must obtain both a bachelor and a juris doctor (JD) degree. This process usually takes seven years. Employers also usually prefer that their entertainment lawyers have at least two or three years of industry experience.

What is the expected growth rate for entertainment lawyers?

Bureau of Labor Statistics. The predicted growth rate for all occupations is 14 percent.

image