how to become a music/entertainment attorney?

Your career as an entertainment lawyer will start the same way as the career of any lawyer - with a law degree. You can begin this process by enrolling in a bachelor's degree program.

Full Answer

When should you hire an entertainment lawyer?

The most common reason that an entertainer hires a lawyer is to review, draft, or negotiate a contract. But you might also hire a lawyer if you need to litigate, for example if your producer breaches a contract, or if your manager has stolen money from you.

What is the job description for an entertainment lawyer?

• #1 thing is network. Meet people in the industry whenever you can. ...
• Start to think about what you want to do and if being an Entertainment Attorney is really for you. ...
• Try to learn. There are lots of books and blogs out there, lots of ways to learn about the industry. ...
• Figure out what kind of music you like. ...

What is the curriculum of an entertainment law degree?

The Curriculum. As a first-year law student, you will follow a designated course of study that may cover many of the following subjects: Civil procedure —the process of adjudication in the United States such as jurisdiction and standing to sue, motions and pleadings, pretrial procedure, the structure of a lawsuit, and appellate review of ...

Do you need an entertainment lawyer?

You're finally getting roles in local plays or movies and you're seeking broader exposure. Or maybe you just wrote a screenplay and a few producers are showing interest. These are all perfect examples of times when you might need an attorney with a special knowledge of the entertainment business.

Do entertainment lawyers make a lot of money?

The average annual salary for Entertainment Attorneys is approximately $117,600. The salary range for Entertainment Attorneys runs from $77,000 to $186,000.

Is being an entertainment lawyer hard?

Turns out, it's really difficult to break into. It now seems to me that people break into the entertainment law field in one of three ways: Good connections, great experience on the business side, or incredible credentials.

What do entertainment attorneys do?

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.

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.

How do I get a job in entertainment law?

My suggestion would be to make a list of top lawyers, law firms, media companies dealing with media and entertainment law. You can find their information online. Almost all of them have a careers page or contact details. Just get in touch with them and ask about their internship programme or hiring procedure and apply!

How competitive is entertainment law?

2. Entertainment Law Is Competitive It's no secret that entertainment law is a competitive area of law in which to practice. Who wouldn't want to work with major musicians, actors, directors, and producers? For those reasons, entertainment law can be a hard niche to break into.

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaTax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.Immigration attorney: $84,000.Estate attorney: $83,000.Public Defender: $63,000.More items...•

Do entertainment lawyers work with celebrities?

Who deals with an entertainment lawyer? Some entertainment attorneys work as a celebrity's personal lawyer, but the majority of work with celebrities' agents and managers. These clients have a team of business and legal advisors which include agents, managers, and other attorneys.

What kind of lawyer makes the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

Who do entertainment lawyers work for?

One excellent example of this is an entertainment lawyer. Entertainment lawyers are hired by those in the entertainment industry to deal with creating or negotiating contracts as well as dealing with litigation, if necessary.

How much do celebrity lawyers get paid?

Salary. Celebrity attorneys charge a flat fee plus a commission, and generally earn $100k – $2 million.

How much do Nintendo lawyers make?

559 Nintendo of America employees have shared their salaries on Glassdoor. Select your job title and find out how much you could make at Nintendo of America....Nintendo of America Salaries.Job TitleSalaryLawyer salaries - 1 salaries reported$190,589/yrCorporate Counsel salaries - 1 salaries reported$217,707/yr2 more rows

Unions, Groups, Social Media, and Associations

Entertainment Attorneys and students of entertainment law can join the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers. Moo also suggests networ...

What Is The Single Biggest Suggestion You Would Give to Someone Wanting to Get Into This Career?

“Try and have more of a broad set of classes you take. For example, learning tax law was really helpful for me but I also wish I would’ve learned l...

What’S The #1 Mistake People Make When Trying to Get Into This Career?

“It’s great to have drive and focus and I respect that. It’s great to be passionate but the reality is that the entertainment industry is only so b...

What Is The Question People Should Ask About This Career but Rarely do?

“The thing they should ask themselves beforehand is ‘Is this something I really want to do?’ They should really investigate and learn what it means...

If You Could Describe in One Word What Makes You Successful, What Would It be?

“Perseverance. Honestly, there’s going to be a lot of stuff that goes wrong along the way and that’s just life in general. There have definitely be...

What are the responsibilities of an entertainment lawyer?

Job Responsibilities. Provide legal counsel to businesses and individuals in the entertainment industry; negotiate contracts and handle issues related to defamation, copyright, and intellectual property; argue in court when necessary. Licensure.

What is entertainment law?

Entertainment lawyers focus on the entertainment industry. They work with contracts in the music, television, film and publishing industries. They advise clients on the terms of the contract, alert them to any concerns with the contract, and may also draft contracts for companies or individuals.

What degree do paralegals need?

They are required to have an associate's degree.

What degree do you need to be an arbitrator?

They need a bachelor's degree, a familiarity with the law, and the ability to recommend contract terms for the parties to agree on.

What do lawyers need to know?

Lawyers require extensive legal knowledge . They must have a Juris Doctor degree, and must also pass the bar exam before they can practice law. They often specialize in a specific field of law, such as criminal law, business law or immigration law. Entertainment lawyers focus on the entertainment industry. They work with contracts in the music, ...

What are some examples of legal representation?

Typical examples include writers' strikes, defamation suits and contract negotiations. You can represent individuals, like actors and directors, and firms, such as production companies. You'll apply your extensive training in areas such as copyright, contract and intellectual property law.

What is a music attorney?

As a music attorney, sometimes referred to as an entertainment lawyer, you're responsible for handling an assortment of legal issues for clients working in the music industry. In this career, you will help your clients with legal issues ranging from copyright to contract legality to trademark issues. Many music attorneys have a background in music, ...

How do I become a lawyer in the US?

You will need to attend law school and earn your Juris Doctor degree. You will then need to pass your state's bar exam to practice law in your state. Most state bar exams require extensive knowledge of the legal system, with written examinations covering both the law and ethics.

What can I do with an undergraduate degree in music?

An undergraduate degree in a related field, such as Business with a specialization in Music, Media Production, or Public Relations can help you apply for internships in the music industry. Doing this will also help you prepare for your courses in entertainment law while in law school. ...

What should I take while in law school?

While at law school, you should take specialty courses in entertainment law. These courses will focus on specific areas of the legal process in relation to the entertainment industry. You should also take courses like music industry law, arts law, as well as taxation and intellectual property law.

Where is the music business located?

The business of music is still predominantly located in places like New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville. You may want to consider schools in these towns or schools that have strong entertainment law programs. Look for areas where there is a concentration of music labels or music agents.

Do music lawyers have a background?

In fact, many music attorneys have a background in music before practicing law. You may have previous experience managing and booking bands or artists, or you may have experience as a musician, giving you first hand experience on how to become successful in the industry. To best represent your music clients, it helps if you are aware ...

Can I get a job in law school?

It can be difficult to land a job at a law firm straight out of law school. Many firms look for candidates that have gained experience in the field through internships or mentorships. It will also help your application if you can use a networking contact at a firm to act as a reference.

Entertainment Attorney

Entertainment attorneys provide legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses in arts and entertainment industries.

What does an Entertainment Attorney do?

Music is a business, and an attorney who can advise in the complex arena of contracts and negotiations is a vital part of any musician's team. In addition to working with individual artists, entertainment lawyers also represent companies and corporations in the entertainment industry.

What are the practices in entertainment law?

The Following are the Practices in Entertainment Law: Labor and employment – to make sure that staff and talents are following labor and employment laws, which include worker’s compensation, safety regulations, fair hiring practices, and maximum working hours allowed .

Is continuing education mandatory in entertainment law?

The old ones are being revised, and a lot of cases are being created and trying to be resolved. Continuing your education isn’t mandatory in the legal field, but if you’re planning to pursue a career path how to become an entertainment lawyer in a specific field, such as an entertainment lawyer, professional development ...

Can a lawyer handle entertainment law?

Lawyers can include entertainment law cases as a part of a wider practice or just focus on entertainment law exclusively. Entertainment laws have something to offer, whether you prefer drafting documents, pouring over regulations, or being in the courtroom.

Do entertainment lawyers work outside of the city?

Other entertainers, local bands, radio talents, and television talents residing in their city also need entertainment lawyers on their side. Although entertainment lawyers won’t get to practice full-time outside major cities, they can still handle entertainment cases for their litigation and transactional law practice.

What Inspired You to Become an Entertainment Lawyer?

It was kind of an evolution. After graduating from Dartmouth with a degree in mathematics, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue creative endeavors in the film business. Then I started to get into the business side, and formed a production company with two partners. I was having the time of my life but lacked discipline and structure.

What kind of educational background should an aspiring Entertainment Attorney have?

We always look for strong academic performance, great writing and communication skills, and ideally some transactional experience as a Lawyer. While in law school, “Contracts” is essential (and required at most schools), and copyright and trademark courses are very important.

Do you have any suggestions for extracurriculars, collegiate associations, or student jobs that would be helpful while still in law school?

During law school, I worked at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. I believe a lot of law schools have something similar where you do pro bono work for clients that can’t afford a Lawyer, and you’re supervised by a Lawyer.

Is there anything you see young Entertainment Lawyers struggling with early on in their careers or any mistakes you see them making? If so, do you have any advice that could help?

There are two major areas in which I’m very critical. One is not being careful enough (i.e. making mistakes or typos). We strive for our work to be perfect, and I expect the people that work for me to be meticulous.

What is an entertainment lawyer?

An entertainment lawyer is a law professional who specializes in legal matters related to the entertainment industry. Entertainment lawyers may focus on advising clients on entertainment contract laws, intellectual property or entertainment labor laws.

What does an entertainment lawyer do?

An entertainment lawyer can specialize in certain entertainment industries or legal aspects. Their duties can vary depending on their area of specialization, but common responsibilities can include:

Where does an entertainment lawyer work?

Entertainment lawyers can work in a law firm or they may work directly for a large entertainment company. Many entertainment lawyers live in or near large cities because cities tend to have more entertainment opportunities. An entertainment lawyer may choose to work in a certain location depending on their specialty.

How do you become an entertainment lawyer?

If you are interested in becoming an entertainment lawyer, consider following these steps:

1. Entertainment Lawyers: The 20 Most Asked Questions

Jun 24, 2020 — To become an entertainment lawyer, candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree, which is mandatory before being allowed to apply to law schools ‎What does an entertainment lawyer do? · ‎Do you need an entertainment lawyer? (1) …

2. How to Become an Entertainment Attorney – Careers in Music

Jul 3, 2020 — Many Entertainment Lawyers majored in Legal Studies or Music Industry Studies as undergraduates. A degree in Music Industry Studies or something (4) …

3. 7 Things You Should Know About Entertainment Law

Jun 15, 2020 — Entertainment lawyers work in everything from the music industry to the film industry to visual arts. If you are watching a movie, reading a (7) …

4. Entertainment Lawyer: What Is It? and How to Become One?

The qualifications for an entertainment lawyer start with earning a bachelor’s degree and taking the LSAT examination. From here you can apply to law schools, (9) …

5. How to Become a Music Attorney: 8 Steps – wikiHow

8 steps1.Understand the skills required to be a music attorney. As a music attorney, you will represent musicians in the music industry. You will be responsible for 2.Learn about the music industry.

6. Find the Best Entertainment Law Jobs in 2021 (3 new)

Aug 9, 2021 — To begin your journey of becoming an entertainment lawyer, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree. As far as your major goes, (17) …

8. Power Lawyers 2020: Top 11 Entertainment Law Schools

Apr 2, 2020 — Top Entertainment Law Schools: 11 Colleges and Universities Where Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers Got Started · Harvard Law School · UCLA (24) …