what is the consultation fee for a music attorney

Beyond a free, brief consultation, which is frequently offered, basic legal advice by a knowledgeable entertainment attorney can be had for a few hundred dollars, a small amount when compared to the countless hours, effort and talent of creative professionals.

Full Answer

How much does a lawyer consultation cost?

 · When it comes to an hourly rate, Donald S. Passman, author of All You Need to Know About the Music Business, Eighth Edition, states, “Most lawyers in the music business don’t charge on just an hourly basis. For the ones that do, the rates are from $150 per hour for new lawyers, up to $600 or more for biggies [1] .”.

How much does a lawyer charge for legal advice?

 · So after the brief “free” consult, paying for the lawyers’ time will likely come up. 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).

Do I need a written fee agreement for my attorney fees?

Consultation Fees: Some attorneys charge an upfront fee, usually on a flat rate basis, to meet with the attorney and determine whether s/he will be able to assist you with your legal issues. Many attorneys do not charge an initial consultation fee, but you will need to check in advance to make sure. 2. Contingency Fees: This is a favorite among ...

What costs are not included in attorney fees?

 · A recording contract is a type of legal document called a contract. A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties. Contracts can be in written or oral form but are, in most cases, written and signed by all parties. There are many types of contracts including, but not limited to: Sales agreements;

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Attorney fees typically range from $100 to $300 per hour based on experience and specialization. Costs start at $100 per hour for new attorneys, but standard attorney fees for an expert lawyer to handle a complex case can average $225 an hour or more.

What is flat fee legal?

At first glance, flat-rate legal services seem to be a complete package deal so that you don't pay more for your case than is necessary. However, if you don't comply with every single term listed on the flat fee contract, then your attorney still has the right to bill you for additional costs that may come up in your case. For instance, a flat fee lawyer working on an uncontested divorce case may still charge you for all court appearances. Plus, they may also only offer the flat fee if you have no property issues and no child support issues either.

What is retainer fee?

An attorney retainer fee can be the initial down payment toward your total bill, or it can also be a type of reservation fee to reserve an attorney exclusively for your services within a certain period of time. A retainer fee is supposed to provide a guarantee of service from the lawyer you've hired.

How to avoid disagreements with your attorney?

Avoid disagreements with your attorney about how much you owe by taking the time to review your attorney fee agreement carefully. You may also hear this document called a retainer agreement, lawyer fee agreement or representation agreement. Either way, most states require evidence of a written fee agreement when handling any disputes between clients and lawyers. You must have written evidence of what you agreed to pay for anyone to hold you accountable for what you have or have not spent.

What is contingency fee?

An attorney contingency fee is only typical in a case where you're claiming money due to circumstances like personal injury or workers' compensation. You're likely to see attorney percentage fees in these situations to average around a third of the total legal settlement fees paid to the client.

How much does it cost to get a lawyer to write a will?

Hiring a lawyer on a flat-rate basis to create a simple will costs $300, while a will for more complex estates may be $1,200 to write.

Why is legal aid more affordable?

Legal aid billing rates are more affordable if the law firm has a sliding-scale payment system so that people only pay for what they can reasonably afford. Seeking out fixed fees in legal aid agencies is the best option for those in desperate need who cannot otherwise pay for a lawyer.

What to Expect during your Free Initial Consultation

At your free initial consultation, an experienced music lawyer will meet with you on a call or via Skype to discuss your legal needs and potential scope of representation.

How to Schedule Your Consultation

To schedule a free consultation, please call, email, or text Morris Music Law. Consultation appointments are scheduled Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Our Office

Our office is located in Marina del Rey, one block from the Venice Pier. Free street parking is available off Washington Blvd.

How much does an entertainment lawyer charge?

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). However, sometimes lawyers will require a “retainer” representing at least several hours worth of his/her time – for example, a retainer of $1000 or more, against which the lawyer will bill time as it is used for your needs. Often the retainer can be paid by credit card. And if you don’t use the time represented by the retainer, it may, or may not, be refundable. As the relationship moves from simply discussing your needs to drafting contracts, negotiations, etc., the lawyer will “bill” his time against the retainer amount held. If and when the retainer amount is exhausted, you will likely be asked to refill the cup with another retainer.

How much is a retainer for a lawyer?

However, sometimes lawyers will require a “retainer” representing at least several hours worth of his/her time – for example, a retainer of $1000 or more, against which the lawyer will bill time as it is used for your needs. Often the retainer can be paid by credit card.

Can creative genius be monetized?

Without the proper contracts, releases, permissions, etc., it may be that the hard work of the creative genius simply cannot be monetized – can’t be optioned, can’t be sold, can’t be distributed.

What are some examples of attorney fees?

Examples include probate and bankruptcy cases. Regardless of the fee arrangement, attorney fees are normally required to be set forth in a written fee agreement. You should read such an agreement carefully, and not be afraid to ask for clarification if the terms seem confusing or conflicting. Often, costs, such as postage, copies, expert ...

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

Some attorneys may charge different rates for different types of cases, so a contract preparation may be $100/hour while litigation may be $200/hour.

What is retainer fee?

Many attorneys use retainer fees as a means of putting that lawyer "on call" to handle a client's legal problems whenever they may arise. 6. Statutory Fee: In some jurisdictions, a statute or regulation may set the amount an attorney can charge for a particular service. Examples include probate and bankruptcy cases.

How is a lawyer paid?

The lawyer is paid a set fee, often based on the lawyer's hourly rate multiplied by a certain number of hours. The retainer is usually placed in a trust account and the cost of services is deducted from that account as they accrue.

What is contingency fee?

Contingency Fees: This is a favorite among personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys. The attorney's fee is based on a percentage of the amount awarded in a judgment or negotiated in the settlement of the case, while if you lose the case, the lawyer does not get a fee. However, should you lose, you will still often be required ...

What is flat fee?

3. Flat Fees: Some lawyers may charge a flat fee for certain types of legal matters. This is usually an option if the attorney handles large volumes of a particular kind of case, allowing the attorney to drive the cases through the use of forms and standardized practices. These are usually relatively simple cases like uncontested divorces, ...

What are the concerns of people in need of an attorney?

One of the biggest concerns of people in need of the assistance of an attorney is how much it will cost. The type of fee arrangement that is available to a client will often have a lot to do with the type of legal issues you are bringing to your attorney. There are several common types of attorney fees and fee arrangements:

What happens if a recording artist breaches a contract?

Should the recording artist breach the contract, damages may be available to the recording label. These may include lost profits, loss of business opportunities, and/or other losses that occurred as a result of the breach. In order to recover, the damages must be real, not imaginary, and must include a quantifiable dollar amount.

Who represents a recording artist?

This makes it extremely important for the recording artist to also be represented by an entertainment law attorney who can review the contract and make sure it is fair and profitable for the recording artist.

What is a lawsuit in entertainment law?

A lawsuit may be filed as a result of a breach of violation of the contract. Entertainment law may provide remedies for the aggrieved party, or non-breaching party. In some cases, a monetary damages award may be available to the non-breaching party.

What does a recording label use?

Recording labels use attorneys to draft their contracts, so their rights are automatically reviewed and protected. A contract lawyer can assist you if there is a violation or breach of your recording contract, whether you are the breaching or non-breaching party.

Why is a recording contract important?

Recording contracts are very important for the success of the recording artist and the music production company. In most cases, the recording label will have legal representation when entering into a contract with a recording artist.

What is master recording?

A master recording is the original version of a song. The owner of the master has control over financial gains from the recordings. In many cases, record contracts are structured so the label, not the artist, owns the masters of all songs created during the contract duration.

What does a label do with new music?

In many cases, especially with new artists, the label may attempt to exercise a large amount of control over the songs produced. This can include the type of music recorded, the way the music sounds, the song lyrics, and/or album cover art. As an artist becomes more successful, they may be able to renegotiate contracts to terms more favorable to them.

How much does a lawyer cost?

When clients ask, "how much does a lawyer cost," the answer can vary from $50 to $1000 or more per hour. But if you're facing a legal issue, working with a lawyer is very helpful and can affect the outcome of the case. Before hiring a lawyer, you should talk to him or her about fee schedules, flat-rate vs. hourly billing, retainer vs. contingency fees, and a ballpark estimate of the total cost based on the case.

What to do if you don't include attorney fees in estimate?

If these aren't included on the written estimate, make sure to ask. You might end up with a separate bill, unless your attorney absorbs the extra fees into the total bill. It's also important to make sure that the cost of the lawyer is worth the overall cost of the case and what you could recoup.

What percentage of contingency fees are negotiable?

Courts may limit contingency fee percentages. The average ranges from 25 to 40 percent . Contingency fees may be negotiable. Referral fees: if a lawyer doesn't have a lot of experience with cases like yours, he or she may refer to you another lawyer who does.

What is flat fee lawyer?

Flat fee: a lawyer may offer a flat fee for a specific, simple, and well-defined legal case. Examples of cases eligible for flat fee billing include uncontested divorces, bankruptcy filings, immigration, trademarks , patents, and wills. Before agreeing to a flat fee, make sure you understand what is covered in the agreement.

What factors affect the hourly rate of a criminal lawyer?

A criminal lawyer's hourly rate will depend on multiple factors, which may include: The reputation of the lawyer and/or firm. The complexity of your criminal charges. The lawyer's level of experience. The location (hourly rates are typically higher in large cities)

What does it mean when a lawyer is not willing to discuss the costs with you?

If the lawyer is not willing to discuss the costs with you, it's a sign of poor client service.

How do lawyers pay?

Most lawyers accept standard methods of payment, such as credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. Your lawyer might allow you to set up a payment plan toward the total cost. Before you sign an agreement with a lawyer, find out how often he or she requires payment. Some require it monthly, while others require weekly payments toward a bill.

Who is the music practice of Manatt?

Manatt’s music practice has done more than just score big deals for its big-name clients, who include Steve Perry, Peter Frampton, Jackson Browne, Wynonna Judd, Chuck D and Public Enemy, George Benson, Styx, Death Cab for Cutie, Pat Benatar, Sly Stone, Michael McDonald, Courtney Love, Daniel Lanois, Tracy Chapman, Fall Out Boy, Marshmello, Debbie Harry and Debbie Gibson. It’s fought to make sure musicians of all stripes can keep working. In 2020, Bromley was the lead negotiator in the effort to secure a comprehensive music industry exemption to California’s AB5, a law that threatened to cripple the state’s “gig economy” in music. The firm has also been making big deals buying and selling music catalogs, with Phillips closing major financing deals for Burt Bacharach and Paul Anka with Primary Wave Music, and Biederman completing nearly a billion dollars in transactions for clients in the space. The firm has also helped clients navigate the pandemic, with Tashman taking the lead in negotiating and designing frameworks for self-distributed releases and digital alternatives to traditional concerts.

Who is the CEO of Universal Music Group?

Also honored for their work in music are Universal Music Group’s Jeffrey Harleston, who is the company’s general counsel and executive VP of business and legal affairs and is the interim chairman/CEO of its Def Jam label, and power attorney Kenny Meiselas, who reps the Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Jhene Aiko and many others.

Is radio the most dominant supplier of public performance royalties?

Meet the New Boss: “Radio used to be the most dominant supplier of public performance royalties, but I think this year streaming music services eclipsed terrestrial radio as a category,” says Kim.