how to find a musician's attorney

by Dr. Chester Kilback Jr. 4 min read

One of the best ways to find a music lawyer is by referrals from friends and relatives or from people you trust in the music business. You can also research music attorneys online. Check out Music Connection ’s Directory of Music Attorneys.

Ask other musicians for referrals.
To start your attorney search, you should get as many referrals as you can. One good source of referrals is other musicians. Ask them if they would recommend their lawyer and ask why. If the lawyer sounds like a good fit, then write down the lawyer's name.

Full Answer

How do I find a good music lawyer?

Jun 12, 2009 · Read reviews from old clients and check out websites to figure out who specializes in what part of the music industry. While you are doing your research, be sure to check for any complaints about your short list of lawyer names with the …

What does a music lawyer do?

Entertainment lawyers have a broad spectrum of fields that they cover, so make sure the ones you are checking into can handle all of it. Check with the bar association. Every type of lawyer has to pass the bar association test. This organization can give you valuable information about the lawyer you are considering.

Do I need a lawyer to sign a music contract?

Most attorneys keep fairly regular business hours, and in the music business that usually means about 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Be respectful of your attorney’s time and don't expect him or her to return your phone calls or emails outside of these hours unless you know that your attorney keeps a different schedule or is on-call 24/7.

Do you have a regular lawyer?

Entertainment lawyers provide services to the entertainment industry, including film, music, television, theater, publishing, visual arts, and multimedia. They also represent sports stars and other celebrities. Entertainment lawyers negotiate and write contracts, deal with intellectual property issues, and practice employment and labor law.

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How do I choose a music lawyer?

One of the best ways to find a music lawyer is by referrals from friends and relatives or from people you trust in the music business. You can also research music attorneys online. Check out Music Connection's Directory of Music Attorneys. Entering into a written attorney/client fee agreement is important.Oct 31, 2016

Do musicians need a lawyer?

You might be wondering why does a musician, writer or producer need a lawyer? Essentially, a music lawyer is part of the team, advising on legal issues and helping to guide the business aspects of a career in collaboration with other members of the team such as the manager and accountant.Jan 23, 2020

What does a lawyer do in the music industry?

A music lawyer is a specialized attorney who deals with legal issues surrounding the music industry. They are trained to handle a wide range of legal issues, like contract management, copyright claims, trademark disputes, artist representation, and many more.

Do singers have lawyers?

The fact is, musicians have to deal with a ton of dizzying legal issues throughout their careers, which means a good lawyer can end up being one of the most valuable members of your team. Still, young artists can hardly be faulted for an indifference to music law.May 31, 2018

When should you get a music lawyer?

Always consult an attorney before using someone else's work. Are songwriters making significant money—say, more than $1,000 annually—on streaming royalties, or is it really just a game for larger corporations with a great number of copyrights, and maybe a superstar at the highest level?

Can a lawyer be a musician?

Lawyer-turned musician, Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz the Bahd Guy or Falz, has said that some of the skills he learnt as a lawyer are now helping in his musical career. The University of Reading, England-trained lawyer stated this during an Instagram Live session with his fans.Jan 2, 2021

What is a music lawyer called?

Entertainment Attorneys handle all legal matters for musicians.Jul 3, 2020

Why do musicians need lawyers?

There are extensive record deals to be signed, intellectual property to be protected, and trademarks and copyrights to establish. Musicians need lawyers because navigating these areas can be difficult and sometimes even impossible without the right know-how.Aug 14, 2021

Where do entertainment lawyers make the most money?

Average salaries for entertainment lawyers vary by city. For example, Law Crossing reports that average salaries were highest in Los Angeles where they earned ​$165,000​ per year. Those working in Glendale and San Franciso averaged ​$164,500​ per year. New York City entertainment lawyers averaged ​$161,000​.Jan 20, 2022

Do record labels need lawyers?

Yes, it is extremely important to have the help of a contract lawyer if you have a recording contract issue. As noted above, an important first step is to have legal representation prior to signing the contract.Mar 3, 2021

Who is an art lawyer?

As an art lawyer, you will be advising clients on the use of copyrighted material, drafting consignment agreements with art dealers and work-for-hire agreements, commissioning contracts for public art or setting up limited liability corporations for artists, to name but a few pursuits.