how to become a music lawyer

Getting the Necessary Education Download Article

1. Understand the skills required to be a music attorney. As a music attorney, you will represent musicians in the music...
2. Learn about the music industry. In addition to your law degree and board certification, you should have intimate...
3. Consider majoring in a related field for your undergraduate degree. An...

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer in the music industry?

She has worked in the music industry for over two decades. If you're entering into any kind of deal in the music industry where money and contracts are involved, you should probably hire an entertainment or music lawyer.

How do I become a music artist?

Go to concerts, talk to musicians, talk to music teachers – and learn from them what they studied and WISHED they’d studied to be able to make it in their field. If you do want to go to music school, you’ll need to take several semesters of music theory and music history, and will need to know how to read music.

Should I go to law school if I'm a music major?

There is also no guarantee of jobs if you go to law school. So follow your passion and if it takes you through as a music major, remember the transferable skillsyou’re also learning that will serve you in whatever you do.

How do I become a lawyer?

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 do you call a music lawyer?

Also Called. Entertainment Lawyer, Music Lawyer. Entertainment attorneys provide legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses in arts and entertainment industries.

What skills do you need to be a music lawyer?

Music lawyers have extensive relationships within the entertainment industry that can yield opportunities for musicians, a knowledge of music law and intellectual property, attention to detail, and a strong awareness of risk management.

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.

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.

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...•

What do music lawyers do?

A music lawyer acts as a compass in complex scenarios, protecting clients' interests through the lens of the law while connecting dots at a high level. In other words, if a publishing deal undervalues an artist, the lawyer demands more dough.

Is entertainment law hard to break into?

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.

Is it hard to get into entertainment law?

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 should I study for entertainment law?

Bachelor's Degrees.Corrections.Criminal Justice.Criminology.Forensic Science.Homeland Security.Law Enforcement Administration.Legal Studies.More items...•

What do celebrity lawyers make?

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

How much do Nintendo lawyers make?

564 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

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.

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 is music law?

Music law includes any laws of any kind that apply to the business of creating, selling, performing and listening to music. Music law is a part of entertainment law.

Why is music law important?

Music law is important to creating and performing music . Music lawyers do their part to help their clients understand the laws and protect their interests. While the music industry primarily involves licensing and contract law, music law may involve a number of different types of law that are all a part of creating and performing music.

Why are contracts important in music?

Many performers and event producers are independent contractors, and music producers rely on distributors to sell their work. For all of these people in the music industry, contracts are important to make sure that everyone involved has clear expectations. Even consumers use contract law in the music industry. Anyone who buys a subscription to a music service or even buys a concert ticket has some interaction with music-related contract law.

What are the entities that broadcast music?

There are many entities that broadcast music. Radio stations, television stations, bars, restaurants and even schools broadcast music or perform it live. There are music laws that determine what a person or group must do in order to broadcast or perform music. Because the creator of a musical work gets a copyright for the work, ...

Do musicians need a visa to travel to another country?

To enter the United States, non-citizen musicians generally need one of a number of different P category visas depending on the nature of their work. Music lawyers must help their clients secure the visas that they need in order to enter the country for their intended purpose.

Is music a federal or state law?

Music laws may be federal, state and local. There are a number of federal laws that impact the music industry. There are also state laws that may vary from one state to another. Even a local authority like a municipality may make a law that impacts the music industry. Music attorneys must be careful to look at all sources ...

Can you buy sheet music without a license?

Buying the sheet music alone doesn’t give a consumer the right to perform a musical work. Instead, the purchaser needs a license to perform the work live. Exceptions to licensing requirements are called Fair Use. The courts look at fair use exceptions on a case by case basis in order to determine whether the performer violates licensing laws by performing the work without a license. Some fair use exceptions include:

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 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.

Do you have to wait for someone to hand you something?

You have to go out and do it yourself, and then you have value in the entertainment industry. That’s creating value.”. “Don’t wait for someone to hand you something. When you’re in school you should try to get internships to learn how the industry is set up.

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 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 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 to Know Before You Seek an Attorney to Represent You

Heather McDonald wrote about music careers for The Balance Careers. She has worked in the music industry for over two decades.

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. Knowing whether you are looking to build a long-term relationship with a lawyer is also something to consider.

How to Find a Lawyer

Once you know what you need from a lawyer, start asking those in your music industry circles. You are almost certain to know someone who has had to visit a lawyer for a music industry issue before.

Meet With Your Short List

Whether you do it by phone or in person, have a brief question and answer session with your short list of lawyers. Find out what they specialize in, how soon they can work on your case, how much they charge and what their payment terms are. If you get a bad feeling or just don't hit it off with a candidate, don't feel any obligation to hire them.

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 is the next step to become a lawyer?

If you hold a bachelors degree, the next step to become a lawyer is the LSAT Exam. Find information on exams. Lawyer Education. A bachelors degree will be your first step. There are pre-law degrees along with online legal studies programs. Or view ABA accredited universities. The State Bar Exam. The bar exam is the next step to become a lawyer.

How much do lawyers make in a year?

As of May 2019, lawyers in the United States averaged $122,960 per year. However, this comfortable salary does not come easily. Becoming a lawyer in any jurisdiction requires years of undergraduate and graduate education, passing challenging examinations, and maintaining licensure through continuing education.

What majors are required for law school?

However, the ABA suggests certain undergraduate majors over others, such as English, history, political science, philosophy, business, or economics.

What is an advanced degree in music?

The value of an advanced degree depends on one’s career plans. An advanced degree is necessary for teaching college-level music. K-12 educators and music therapists in the U.S. find advantages to getting a Master’s degree.

What is a passion for music?

A passion for music is something that will get you through life. We hope you will always find joy in music regardless of how you end up incorporating it into your life. Performing music –– solo and with others –– is something many people find incredibly fulfilling, regardless of whether they do it professionally.

What degree do I need to teach in a public school?

But if you plan to teach in a public or private K-12 school or college program, you are likely to need at least a master’s degree (and certification to teach in the state where you reside). College programs are more likely to require a doctorate in the field in which you want to teach.

Do I need a degree to start a music studio?

To have your own studio requires that you have strong talents in some of the areas musicians need. While you don’t need a degree in music to do this, exposure to music and the recording industry is important for learning skills and networking, which are essential for success.

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 leader of Sony Music?

As leader of the New York-based Sony Music Entertainment team, Swidler has been at the forefront of modernizing the company’s artist contracts and updating its royalties reporting systems, enabling profit participants to collect earnings faster. She also championed the company’s nonpartisan U.S. voter campaign, Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote. Working alongside her, Bondell completed more than 75 major artist, label and distribution deals across the U.K., Canada, Continental Europe and Asia in the past year, while helping finalize over 30 international COVID-19 relief charity projects. Walker focuses on the worlds of social media and gaming, working with digital service providers to create innovative exploitation models covering everything from live concerts to fitness classes. He’s also a key driver of the company’s social and racial justice task force, formed last year. Meisel oversees company’s investments, ranging from merch, promotion and podcasting to labels and live events, including the recent acquisitions of artist distribution and services company Human ReSources and U.K.-based music merchandiser Probity.

Who Does Music Law Impact?

• Music laws impact most people in society in one way or another. Music law impacts the people who write music and the distributors who purchase the rightsto perform and sell music. Music law also impacts performers who must have a legal right to perform music. Businesses that seemingly have no relation to music law like restaurants must ensure that ...

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Federal, State and Local Laws May Apply

Licensing and Publishing

Broadcasting

Live Performance

Other Areas of Music Law

Who Practices Music Law?

Why Become A Music Lawyer?

Keeping The Beat with Music Law