how do you get a music lawyer

Is it easy to become an attorney in music law?

Jun 12, 2009 · Here are some steps to take when you want to hire a music lawyer. Determine Your Needs Music lawyers are under the umbrella of entertainment law, and many specialize in a certain part of the music industry. Understanding what you need legal help with will make it easier for you to find a lawyer who is up to the task.

What does a music lawyer do?

Dec 04, 2012 · The bottom line is that it's generally tough to become a full-time music lawyer, especially if you live outside of a major music industry city (Los Angeles, Nashville, New York). A few tips: 1) Be willing to work in related fields or jobs. Many music lawyers start out practicing in other fields while they cultivate a music law practice.

Where should I go to Law School for music law?

Jul 03, 2020 · Building relationships and being good with people—that’s the vital thing. As long as you’re a relatively intelligent person you can figure out the law behind music and become an Attorney. The most crucial thing is being able to talk to creative people and being a Manager helped me a lot in this. That skill can be honed.”

How do I get a job in the music industry?

To know more about music law, find and talk to a music lawyer near you. ChaseLawyers® is an entertainment law firm comprised of veteran attorneys with considerable experience in the music industry. Our team of legal experts can help make sure that you’ll get fair treatment and protection in all business dealings and assist you in resolving ...

What is a music lawyer called?

Entertainment Attorneys handle all legal matters for musicians. This includes contractual agreements, negotiating, advice, and counseling.Jul 3, 2020

What thing do music lawyers deal with?

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.

What does a record label lawyer do?

A record label lawyer is responsible for overseeing the legality of contracts and other transactions between musicians and the parties who pay them. They can negotiate contracts between artists and record companies, as well as copyright agreements and other binding documents.Oct 4, 2019

Why does an artist need a lawyer?

Trademark and Copyright - Prevent Others From Using Your Work. Artists need help doing a trademark or copyright. They need that type of advice from a lawyer or they can find themselves in litigation. People will also take artists' art, design, or photos and post them on social media channels or web pages.

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

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

Who do music lawyers work with?

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

How do you become an entertainment lawyer?

How to Become an Entertainment Lawyer?Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Aspiring lawyers must first complete a bachelor's degree program before applying to law school. ... Step 2: Take the LSAT Exam. ... Step 3: Get a Law Degree. ... Step 4: Enrol in the Bar Council.Nov 5, 2021

How much do music producers make?

According to payscale.com, Music Producers average salary is $50,986. Now, it is important to understand this figure is an average. The pay scale they list ranges from the low-end of $29,000 to the high-end of $99,000.

Who is an art lawyer?

Art attorneys advise on the various art specific laws that exist at the state and federal level and affect the relationships and transactions among collectors, artists, dealers, and other art world participants.

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.

What to do if a lawyer has never done what you need him or her to do?

If a lawyer has never done what you need him or her to do, you may end up paying for the hours spent learning the subject . Try to get a list of musicians he or she has worked with. These are people you could call up for references. You also want to get a feel for the lawyer’s payment system.

How to maintain a relationship with a lawyer?

The number one key to maintaining a relationship with your lawyer is to keep the communication going. Be extremely clear about what you want, and if you don’t understand something, ask the lawyer to explain. Do as much reading on the subject as you can so you’re able to actually participate in the discussion and understand the impact of the decisions. Remember – this is your career, and you want to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into, especially before signing any kind of contract. The more you personally know, the better decisions you can make.

Can a lawyer hold the label's interests above yours?

In this case, the lawyer could hold the label’s interests above yours.

Is it worth consulting a lawyer about a band name?

It’s probably not worth your time or money to consult a lawyer when choosing a band name or drafting an internal band contract. You can do this on your own with a little research on Google and the US Trademark Office. You can even register your own copyrights on the US Copyright Office’s website.

Who is Dave Kusek?

Dave Kusek is the founder of the New Artist Model, an online music business school for independent musicians, performers, recording artists, producers, managers, and songwriters. He has worked with musicians his entire career, providing tools, mentoring, and knowledge necessary to be successful in the music industry.

Do lawyers pay retainers upfront?

Often, you’ll pay a retainer upfront, which is what the lawyer's payments will come out of. Larger firms will charge higher fees but may also have more experience. In contrast, smaller firms may be able to provide you with more personal attention and place higher priority on your issue.

Where can I find a music lawyer?

Most of the music attorneys are in New York and Los Angeles, but you can also find them in places like San Francisco, Nashville, Miami, Chicago, Minneapolis and Toronto. 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.

How do music attorneys get paid?

Music attorneys are paid in several different ways: A. By the hour: Under this arrangement, the attorney will bill you by the hour (or part of an hour), with an upfront deposit (retainer).

What is a music attorney?

Music attorneys generally fall into two categories: litigators or transactional attorneys. Litigators are hired to represent individuals and companies involved in the music business in court, arbitration and mediation. For instance, if you are owed money on a contract or you have a copyright infringement case.

What are some examples of music lawyers?

Some examples: recording, music publishing and songwriter contracts, management or music producer agreements, and touring and merchandising agreements. Some music lawyers do both litigation and transaction work, but most are one or the other. A few music attorneys may be willing to “shop” an artist, meaning they will look for a recording ...

What does a music lawyer do?

For superstar level clients, the Music Lawyer may also assist in licensing their image for merchandising purposes or handling the paperwork on sponsorship/endorsement deals. They may even get involved in non-business legal matters , such as prenuptial agreements or divorce settlements.

What do entertainment lawyers major in?

Many Entertainment Lawyers majored in Legal Studies or Music Industry Studies as undergraduates. A degree in Music Industry Studies or something similar can give the future Lawyer an understanding of the many areas of the music business before they hunker down and dive deep into the law at law school.

What is entertainment attorney?

Entertainment Attorneys help their clients to understand legal agreements, ensuring that the terms are in their clients’ best interests. They work with Recording Groups, Record Producers, Songwriters, Music Publishers, Record Label Executives, Music Producers, and Composers. They negotiate recording, merchandising, touring and publishing contracts, as well as Producer agreements.

How much do entertainment attorneys make?

Entertainment Attorney salaries can range from $77,000 to $186,000. Moo says “there are a couple different ways” Entertainment Attorneys are paid. “The flat fee for reviewing contracts is the most common because it’s the most affordable, especially for newer musicians.

What does Moo say about being successful?

Of the experience and skills necessary to become successful, Moo says, “it goes back to just being good with people. A lot of clients have said to me, ‘You’re so easy to talk to; the last Entertainment Attorney I talked to was a real jerk and made me feel stupid.’ It’s not brain surgery. Anything in law can be made simple. My goal is to explain a lot of things so people understand.

What do people think of entertainment attorneys?

When most people think of Entertainment Attorneys they envision a flashy, high-powered office and an intense workload. While this is certainly the case at many big-name firms, other Attorneys find this type of corporate environment doesn’t sit well with their creative clients.

What is the best book about music?

There’s a great book called All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman. That’s a terrific book to read because it gives a real overview of how the industry is. Figure out what kind of music you like. If you can find great music and bring it to a company or develop it yourself that’s super valuable.

What is a music lawyer?

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. While their duties are similar to those of other lawyers, ...

What do you need to know about music law?

Music law, in particular, requires attorneys to know the ins and outs of the music industry, from the handling of brands and artists to dealing with recording studios and licenses. Here are some of the services you can expect from a music lawyer: Facilitate Recording Agreements. Signing a recording agreement is a big step in any artist’s career, ...

What is Chase Lawyers?

Chase Lawyers is an entertainment law firm comprised of veteran attorneys with considerable experience in the music industry.

What are the hurdles to purchasing a music license?

There are some hurdles related to purchasing a license, such as a difference in pricing relative to audience count, broadcasting coverage, frequency of which music is played, and more. Music lawyers can give their clients more insight regarding license requirements and copyright laws.

What is a recording agreement?

Signing a recording agreement is a big step in any artist’s career, especially for the ones who are new to the industry. However, artists may unknowingly agree to terms that might not be favorable to them in the long run, like selling their rights to a record label.

Do authors own their own music?

Authors of songs and music have innate legal ownership over their creations, thanks to intellectual property laws. If they wish to sell their music, having a music attorney handle the terms of agreement can prevent possible exploitation or financial losses.

Is music broadcasting or performance?

Broadcasting Rights. The broadcasting and performance of music is one area that’s also regulated by music law. To protect copyright owners, the law requires would-be broadcasters and performers to obtain a license before they can show copyrighted music to their audience. Copyright law isn’t easy to navigate, however.

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 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 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 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 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.

How many hours does the BLS take?

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reports that 48 states use the 6-hour Multistate Bar Exam, and some states use the 3-hour Multistate Essay Examination ( www.bls.gov ).