how to avoid common problems with an entertainment attorney

by Arvid Quigley 9 min read

Generally, the best approach is to ask people you know who are in the music business and who have previously hired an entertainment attorney. Find out whether they had a good experience, whether the legal matters the attorney handled were similar to the legal matters you need help with, and whether the attorney’s fees were reasonable. 2.

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Who are the clients of an entertainment attorney?

Feb 05, 2016 · So just tell the truth at all times! 8. Pay your bills on time. A surefire way to avoid putting a damper on your relationship with your lawyer is to pay your bills on time. Your attorney is running a business, just like you are. But always remember to check your statement first.

When should you hire an entertainment lawyer?

How do entertainment attorneys Bill for billing services?

What kind of lawyer does it take to represent an actor?

Jun 25, 2020 · Ask An Entertainment Attorney: 6 Common Questions. Even if you’re great at music, plunging into the business side of the music business can …

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What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your Lawyer
  • I forgot I had an appointment. ...
  • I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ...
  • I have already done some of the work for you. ...
  • My case will be easy money for you. ...
  • I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ...
  • Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.
Mar 17, 2021

What is the role of an 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.

What do entertainment lawyers do on a daily basis?

Entertainment lawyers focus on the following tasks: Preparing and negotiating development and production contracts, and distribution deals; Working with financial agreements, loans, and investment documents; Reviewing contracts and analyzing a client's rights.

How do you handle an interaction with a difficult lawyer?

Here are eight approaches to better handle the difficult lawyer.
  1. Point out Common Ground. ...
  2. Don't be Afraid to Ask Why. ...
  3. Separate the Person from the Problem. ...
  4. Focus on your Interests. ...
  5. Don't Fall for your Assumptions. ...
  6. Take a Calculated Approach. ...
  7. Control the Conversation by Reframing. ...
  8. Pick up the Phone.

Are entertainment lawyers in demand?

Entertainment Lawyer Growth Trend

Jobs for lawyers, including entertainment lawyers, are expected to increase 9 percent in the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS.
Jan 20, 2022

How much do top entertainment lawyers make?

Salary Ranges for Entertainment Lawyers

The salaries of Entertainment Lawyers in the US range from $10,018 to $187,200 , with a median salary of $18,674 . The middle 57% of Entertainment Lawyers makes between $18,674 and $74,346, with the top 86% making $187,200.

Is Entertainment Law transactional?

Entertainment lawyers are both transactional lawyers and litigation lawyers. While some entertainment lawyers do it all, most lawyers who practice entertainment law specialize in one subset of entertainment law.

How much do entertainment lawyers make in California?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $116,006 and as low as $24,086, the majority of Entertainment Attorney salaries currently range between $84,055 (25th percentile) to $98,310 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $105,192 annually in California.

How much does a music lawyer cost?

Typically, a music lawyer will charge 5%. It could be 5% of a specific contract or 5% of your earnings from the music and entertainment business and your fee agreement should be clear on this.Jan 8, 2018

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

Why is my attorney not fighting for me?

For example, in a custody, divorce, criminal, or civil case, your lawyer might not be fighting properly. It might be a sign of incompetence or even a conflict of interest in your client attorney relationship. If you believe that my lawyer is not fighting for me, it may be due to the lawyer's style and mannerisms.Jul 24, 2020

What do you do when opposing counsel won't respond?

In a nutshell, if opposing counsel isn't responding:
  1. Document your repeated efforts at contact, including your statement of the consequence of continued nonresponse.
  2. Wait a reasonable amount of time.
  3. To be safe, get a court order authorizing direct contact.
Jun 22, 2018

Questions To Ask When Hiring An Entertainment Lawyer

In any area of the entertainment industry, the more successful you become, the more you can be sure that lawsuits will soon follow. With attention comes risk, and in today’s digital era where entertainers definitely need to promote themselves online, there are many legalities to consider when you begin your journey.

Specific Results

Just as if you were scouting talent for any position, one of the most important questions to ask is the candidate’s specific area of expertise. The entertainment world is vast, and each different profession has different legal worries to consider.

Track Record

Whether or not your candidate has exact experience representing your sport or artform may not matter if their resume exceed expectations. The second most important question to ask during the selection process of your lawyer is, who have they previously worked with? Verify their claims online to see if their stories match up with their reputation.

When Should You Consider Hiring an Attorney?

Certainly, you should consult with an experienced entertainment attorney before you sign a contract of any significance. An experienced entertainment attorney can also be very useful as a sounding board for ideas and strategies you have, and as a source of contacts to music business professionals who can help you move ahead in the music business.

How to Find an Entertainment Attorney

1. Referrals. Generally, the best approach is to ask people you know who are in the music business and who have previously hired an entertainment attorney. Find out whether they had a good experience, whether the legal matters the attorney handled were similar to the legal matters you need help with, and whether the attorney’s fees were reasonable.

Music Connection

Published since 1977, Music Connection magazine is a monthly music trade publication catering to musicians, industry pro’s, and support services. Music Connection exists to serve artists and music people, to offer connections to the unconnected and to provide exclusive information that can help our readers take their music to the next level.

What do entertainment attorneys do?

Entertainment attorneys also work with actors’ agents for contracts regarding upcoming projects. They negotiate with the agent and producer for the actor’s compensation. Some entertainment attorneys are also agents, managers or publicists.

How long does it take to become an entertainment attorney?

Education. Like other attorneys, an entertainment attorney spends three years earning a law degree after receiving a bachelor’s degree. But an entertainment attorney chooses to focus on entertainment, most often graduating from a law school that offers a specialization in entertainment law.

What does a music lawyer do?

They act as general counsel for established artists, helping with marketing and merchandising deals, as well as real estate transactions and tax issues. Also, they help artists secure the rights to use music that other artists have written, complying with copyright laws.

What does a finance manager do?

They work on financing agreements for sponsorships, bank loans, co-production investments, grants and other types of investments. They prepare agreements for appearance releases, location releases, and licenses. They may also help clients join unions, guilds, and other professional associations if needed.

Can a project be stolen?

It’s when a creator or producer begins to work with others on their project, share ideas with their best friends, or talk to others in the entertainment industry before putting their ideas to writing and have them copyrighted, that projects can be stolen. It’s possible after a submission has been made by a talent agency or by a network ...

Is a general partnership a liability?

General partnerships still expose a producer to liability and while limited partnerships are better if structured appropriately, they are still not favored. Corporations can be used, however, the most favored form of entity by film producers today are LLCs.

Who is Sebastian Gibson?

With law degrees both in California and in Great Britain, Sebastian Gibson is rated as a “Superb” lawyer, their highest rating, by Avvo. He has written for the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal newspapers and is a published author with offices in Palm Springs/Palm Desert and Newport Beach.

Is online gambling illegal?

In most of the U.S., participating in online gambling is illegal. Your financial loss that you hope to recoup in a lawsuit would come from your participation, which, in most instances, would be illegal. This would be similar to suing because you were ripped off by a drug dealer or... Read More

Do you own copyright to video?

If you videotaped it by yourself for yourself, and not as part of a job or as a work for hire, you most likely own the Copyright to the video itself. If the video was made as part of a job or for a client, then that employer most likely owns the Copyright on the video itself. The second issue is whether you would have the legal right to use the images of the people in the video. Was... Read More

Can you use the name of a famous person in a book?

The right of publicity is the issue you must contend with. You can use the famous person's name in the title if and only if you do not imply endorsement or approval of your book by the famous person. You should have a preface in the book that says clearly and unmistakably that the tribute and the book are not authorized by the famous person. You should give credit by... Read More

What is entertainment lawyer?

Entertainment lawyers are sometimes called on to evaluate financial plans, production budgets, business plans, and creative pitches. This experience can be valuable for moving from legal work to a business development or hybrid business/legal role, such as in the business affairs department of a studio or network.

What is a junior associate?

Junior associates generally work with senior associates or directly with partners. However, junior associates can gain responsibility quickly for some deals, including drafting and negotiating simpler production agreements, such as releases, talent agreements and independent contractor agreements. Law firm entertainment attorneys also consult ...

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