how to find entertainment lawyer/manager for entertainment group?

by Danika Dicki 5 min read

Often, the best way to locate an attorney is through referrals from other entertainers. It's also possible to locate, interview, and hire a entertainment attorney through an online directory, such as Nolo's Lawyer Directory, which splits attorneys into different practice areas (copyright, business, litigation, and so on).

Full Answer

What does an entertainment lawyer do?

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.

What experience do you need to be an entertainment manager?

Nov 20, 2019 · As an entertainer, intellectual property should be on your radar from day one. Music, artwork, designs, writings, films, photos, and literary works are just a few types of intellectual property you may have the need to protect. A good entertainment lawyer can help you navigate the complex world of intellectual property and avoid exploitation ...

Do I need a lawyer in the music industry?

7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566. master:2022-04-19_10-08-26. Entertainment professionals often need the services of lawyers. Whether you are an actor, director, dancer, or musician, there are various legal services that could prove essential to your career. Their services won't come cheap, of course.

How do you determine your career goals as an entertainment manager?

UTA is an entertainment company with offices in both Los Angeles and New York. They represent producers, directors of photography, production designers, costume designers, editors, visual effects supervisors, first assistant directors, second unit directors, and stunt coordinators. ‍. Whitesmith Entertainment, Inc.

Are Entertainment Lawyers in demand?

Entertainment Lawyer Growth Trend The predicted growth rate for all occupations is 8 percent. Entertainment lawyer jobs are usually affected by the economy and the health of the entertainment industry which – including streaming services, music downloads and television revenue – continues to remain strong.Jan 20, 2022

Do Entertainment Lawyers make a lot of money?

The salaries of Entertainment Lawyers in the US range from $10,018 to $187,200 , with a median salary of $18,674 . The middle 57% of Entertainment Lawyers makes between $18,674 and $74,346, with the top 86% making $187,200.

What kinds of groups do entertainment attorneys usually represent?

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.Jul 3, 2020

How do you break into entertainment law?

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. If you don't work at a top firm or you don't know anyone in the field, try taking a job—even an internship—on the business side.

What type of lawyer gets paid most?

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.Dec 18, 2020

How much do Nintendo lawyers make?

543 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$186,163/yrCorporate Counsel salaries - 1 salaries reported$212,652/yr2 more rows

What does entertainment law consist of?

Overview. Entertainment law covers an area of law that involves media of all different types (e.g. TV, film, music, publishing, advertising, Internet & news media, etc.)

What does a media and entertainment lawyer do?

Lawyers specializing in the field are required to act as commercial-legal production counsels for advising, structuring and negotiating deals across various production and distribution models, for syndication and licensing of content for domestic and international film distribution across platforms (traditional and new ...Mar 5, 2020

What does a family lawyer do?

Family Lawyers are responsible for dealing with legal issues that arise between members of the same family. They represent clients in court for contentious cases concerning divorce and domestic violence, but also oversee family estates and offer advice on areas such as adoption and guardianship.Aug 2, 2021

What should I study for entertainment law?

Earn a law degree The common degree for entertainment lawyers is the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. This degree program typically takes three years to complete, although many schools now offer part-time programs. Part-time programs take longer, often about four years to complete.Apr 8, 2021

What are sports law?

Sports law is an amalgam of laws that apply to athletes and the sports they play. It is not a single legal topic with generally applicable principles. Sports law touches on a variety of matters, including contract, tort, agency, antitrust, constitutional, labor, trademark, Sex Discrimination, criminal, and tax issues.

What is media law?

Media law is law that regulates media production and use. Media law can encompass many different types of media including broadcast television, internet and print media.

Solid Business Foundation

The entertainment industry can be cutthroat and brutal. You will see contracts come your way that can be very one-sided. You will face risks and liabilities you can’t even imagine at this stage. Trying to navigate this world without trusted counsel can be a risky decision, one you may not recover from.

Taxation and Representation

People and legal entities are all taxed differently. The amount of revenue you earn each year should help determine whether it makes sense to choose an entity, and if so, which entity to choose. You must select the right structure from the beginning because building a career on a shaky foundation is a recipe for disaster.

The Best Lawyer for Entertainers

Finding a skilled entertainment lawyer won’t be a walk in the park. Given the long-term impact of the work of an attorney can provide you, you should take your time choosing the right professional.

Why is hourly billing so difficult?

Hourly billing is tricky, because it's difficult to know how many hours a particular task will take. If you can, get your attorney to agree to fixed fees for certain work rather than hourly billings. For example, if your attorney is negotiating a merchandising deal, get a flat rate for the whole job.

Why do entertainers hire lawyers?

The most common reason that an entertainer hires a lawyer is to review, draft, or negotiate a contract.

What is the most common method of payment for attorneys?

The so-called "billable hour" is still the most common method of payment. Many attorneys ask for a retainer, which is an advance payment for legal work. The amount of the retainer is included in the attorney-client fee agreement.

How much do attorneys charge per hour?

Understand up front that most attorneys bill on an hourly basis (often between $300 and $700 an hour) and send a bill at the end of each month. Some attorneys bill on a fixed-fee basis, in which you pay a set amount for services (expect to pay $5,000 to $25,000 to negotiate a major entertainment deal, for instance).

What is an attorney in the entertainment industry?

For better or worse, however, attorneys are part of the fabric of the entertainment industry. They facilitate connections between performers, producers, and venues, and assist in drafting and negotiating contracts.

What is fee agreement?

The fee agreement is negotiated between you and your lawyer and establishes the payments and the lawyer's responsibilities. It is usually contained within a broader retainer agreement, the contract between you and your lawyer outlining your relationship.

How to choose an attorney?

Don't choose an attorney purely based on his or her "know-how." Consider also style and personality. While these qualities might seem superficial, remember that you may spend long hours working together. You may prefer to be represented by an attorney whose style and demeanor correspond with yours. Do you want someone aggressive? Ambitious? Accommodating? Serious? Boisterous?

What do entertainment lawyers do?

One of the key things entertainment lawyers do is examine and negotiate contracts and deals. Most of their day is spent meeting with clients, labels, and other lawyers. They then draft arrangements, land booking agents or concert deals and deal with a myriad of other agreements. Not to be confused with a music manager, ...

How long has Michael Marshall been a lawyer?

His 30-year career providing legal counsel to some of the biggest stars in the industry led him to become one of the most well-known entertainment lawyers of all time. Sadly, Marshall passed away in 2012, but his legacy will never be forgotten. He is still remembered as one of the best entertainment lawyers in the US.

Where is David Feldman?

David Feldman, entertainment lawyer, is one of the most renowned attorneys in the industry in LA. Currently working in Beverly Hills, Feldman has recently launched a new entertainment legal firm alongside some other big-time lawyers in the industry (Stephen Breimer and Leigh Brecheen, to name a few). Feldman graduated from Bolt Hall School of Law in the 90s and has been practicing entertainment law ever since. His big break came from working with celebs including Keegan-Michael Key and Lucas Hedgesover the last 10 years.

Why do artists need entertainment lawyers?

This article highlights many key reasons why artists should have an entertainment lawyer. They can help propel your career and then sustain your success by negotiating great deals to landing new sponsorship deals. But before you reach out to entertainment lawyers, make sure to list the reasons you need one, and what you specifically need legal help with. We have listed some great entertainment lawyers, however, before getting in touch with these lawyers, ensure they specialise in the type of legal issues you need help with. Do your research and look at their success rates and who they’ve worked with, and read their reviews.

Where did Paul Rothenberg start his career?

On his journey to forge a career in the movie industry, Paul Rothenberg found a different calling – music law. Rothenberg started out in New York and moved to Los Angeles, where he founded his own firm. Rothenberg is now one of the most iconic entertainment lawyers in LA.

Where did Rothenberg go to law school?

Rothenberg Studied at Dartmouth with the intention of landing a job in the movie business. He soon realised that his heart was not in the movie industry. Rothenberg then went to Law School and met some aspiring artists. This is when his career as an entertainment attorney took off.

Where is Charles Appiah?

Based in New York, Charles Appiah has made a name for himself in the industry for going the extra mile. After attending Cornell University and then Seton Hall University School of Law where he obtained a Doctorate in Law, Appiah began specialising in entertainment law. Much of his work is now centred around writing contracts for artists and musicians, copyright law and commercial litigation. Connect with Mr. Appiah.

Question for FilmTVLaw.com

I’m an experienced showrunner with two series under my belt. I’m shopping around a third but getting shut out of all but current connects and friends. I never went the agent route, but now considering agent vs. manager vs. law firm. Appreciate any insights.

Answer by Brandon Blake, Entertainment Lawyer

Thanks for a good question about television representation and shopping television series. I have been representing television writers and producers for nineteen years and I have never seen a better time to be out there with a new television series project.

How much does an entertainment manager make?

Entertainment Managers in America make an average salary of $54,151 per year or $26 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $94,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $30,000 per year.

How many entertainment managers have a masters degree?

In terms of higher education levels, we found that 4.8% of entertainment managers have master's degrees. Even though most entertainment managers have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

What are the skills of an entertainment manager?

We discovered that a lot of resumes listed creativity, leadership skills and time-management skills.