what does a sports/entertainment lawyer do

by Dr. Green Becker 10 min read

Entertainment attorneys have the following responsibilities, among others:

  • Drafting and negotiating contracts
  • Drafting and pushing marketing and merchandising deals
  • Preparing agreements for clients, including the traditional legal duties such as facilitation and distribution deals for projects
  • Working on investments and financing for grants and projects

More items...

Sports lawyers represent clients in complex commercial transactions, intellectual property rights, licensing, regulatory compliance, contract negotiation and dispute resolution. Accordingly, lawyers in this area must have a strong background in business transactions and intellectual property.

Full Answer

Why become a sports and entertainment lawyer?

You’ll adapt to changing times and technology Whether it is a change in technology or change in the laws, you must stay up-to-date and be on the leading edge of your industry. Sports and Entertainment Law requires flexibility, adaption to change, and innovation.

What kind of services do entertainment lawyers provide?

Key areas of service include entertainment finance, development and production agreements, sales and distribution agreements, advertising contracts, publishing, licensing, and merchandising agreements, and talent agreements. How can I become a sports or entertainment lawyer?

What can you do with a sports law degree?

You’ll be a jack of all trades Sports and Entertainment Law encompasses several legal areas, just applied to athletes and entertainers. Depending on what your client needs, you may be expected to handle anything from criminal matters to contract disputes, estate planning to intellectual property issues.

Are You on the leading edge of sports and entertainment law?

Whether it is a change in technology or change in the laws, you must stay up-to-date and be on the leading edge of your industry. Sports and Entertainment Law requires flexibility, adaption to change, and innovation.

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What do entertainment attorneys do?

What is an entertainment lawyer? Unlike divorce or corporate lawyers, an entertainment lawyer represents and protects the interests of creatives, companies and others in the many areas of the entertainment industry, such as film, television, new media, theater, publishing and music.

What is the role of a sport lawyer?

What does a sports lawyer do? Sports lawyers represent the legal interests of their clients, which can include individual players, athletes, coaching staff, and even entire teams. It's their job to take care of the stuff that happens off the pitch, ensuring their clients can remain 100% focused on their performances.

What do entertainment lawyers do on a daily basis?

Entertainment lawyers focus on the following tasks: Preparing and negotiating development and production contracts, and distribution deals; Working with financial agreements, loans, and investment documents; Reviewing contracts and analyzing a client's rights.

Is sports law A entertainment law?

Sports and Entertainment Law encompasses several legal areas, just applied to athletes and entertainers. Depending on what your client needs, you may be expected to handle anything from criminal matters to contract disputes, estate planning to intellectual property issues.

Is sports lawyer a good career?

Specially devised for aspirants with an inclination towards sports and law both, Sports Law is a promising career option for budding lawyers. It gives them an option to engage with the arena of sports. Besides this, sports lawyers get to make a good amount of money through their job.

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...•

Is entertainment law stressful?

Just as well, most people practicing entertainment law are in the field because they like the substantive work as well as the clients. Yes, there are the time pressures and tight budgets to consider, all of which can create significant stress for attorneys.

Is being an entertainment lawyer hard?

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.

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 does entertainment law consist of?

Entertainment law, also referred to as media law, is legal services provided to the entertainment industry. These services in entertainment law overlap with intellectual property law. Intellectual property has many moving parts that include trademarks, copyright, and the "Right of Publicity".

What is entertainment and sports law?

Entertainment and Sports Law Program. Entertainment Law encompasses a wide range of practice areas in situations where the client – such as an actor, musician, or athlete; a production company or studio; or a music, film or television company – is involved in the entertainment, media, or sports industries.

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 an entertainment lawyer?

An entertainment lawyer is a law professional who specializes in legal matters related to the entertainment industry. Entertainment lawyers may focus on advising clients on entertainment contract laws, intellectual property or entertainment labor laws.

What does an entertainment lawyer do?

An entertainment lawyer can specialize in certain entertainment industries or legal aspects. Their duties can vary depending on their area of specialization, but common responsibilities can include:

Where does an entertainment lawyer work?

Entertainment lawyers can work in a law firm or they may work directly for a large entertainment company. Many entertainment lawyers live in or near large cities because cities tend to have more entertainment opportunities. An entertainment lawyer may choose to work in a certain location depending on their specialty.

How do you become an entertainment lawyer?

If you are interested in becoming an entertainment lawyer, consider following these steps:

Why is sports and entertainment law important?

Sports and Entertainment Law is a desirable career path for many aspiring lawyers because it incorporates their love for entertainers and athletes with the practice of law. Not to mention, the fact that famous people are confiding and trusting you to advocate on their behalf. The reality is that this career path incorporates many other areas ...

What is sports and entertainment law?

Sports and Entertainment Law encompasses several legal areas, just applied to athletes and entertainers. Depending on what your client needs, you may be expected to handle anything from criminal matters to contract disputes, estate planning to intellectual property issues. The range is very wide, so you must be able to deliver in several different areas. If you do not have an expertise in an area that is requested of you, you should know another lawyer who is to ensure your client always gets the best representation.

How to become an entertainment lawyer?

There are many different types of Sports and Entertainment lawyers. Check out the ABA’s Entertainment Law 101 for a breakdown in the different types of areas you can specialize in as an Entertainment lawyer. The article also includes these tips: 1 Know your stuff. Study contract law, intellectual property, tax, corporate, and any applicable entertainment guild law. 2 Attorney before groupie. Appreciate your client’s talent but never be in awe of them. If you are a fan first, you will be unable to perform the cold calculations necessary to properly advise and help them. 3 Location, location, location. Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville are key hubs where the deals get done. 4 Study the culture. Read entertainment biographies and industry news periodicals ( Variety, Billboard, etc.). Whatever others in your biz watch, read, or listen to, you must as well.

Do you have to specialize in sports law?

You’ll probably have to specialize first. There are not many sports and entertainment law lawyers who are fresh out of law school. The immediate years after law school are typically spent developing an expertise in a substantive area of law in order to gain the experience necessary to properly represent an athlete or an entertainer ...

Important Terms to Know

Copyright: A person's exclusive right to reproduce, publish, or sell his or her original work of authorship (as in literary, musical, dramatic, artistic, or architectural work).

When You May Need an Entertainment Attorney

Any party to a contract or production involving entertainers, athletes, or other public figures (such as authors or public speakers) may need the counsel or advice of an entertainment, sports, and leisure attorney.

Entertainment Lawyer Description

In this post we look at what is an entertainment lawyer and when you might need one. In addition to providing an entertainment lawyer definition, we’ll also cover how to find one so that you know where to turn and what to look for when selecting an entertainment lawyer.

Entertainment Lawyer Definition

An entertainment lawyer practices a specialized type of law specific to the entertainment industry. When you think about what is an entertainment lawyer, an image of a slick Hollywood type looking to take advantage of a naïve performer may come to mind.

Entertainment Attorney 101

First things first: if you are in the entertainment industry and have questions about contracts, copyright claims or infringement, or any other legal information related to your creative work, do not seek advice from a non-industry lawyer.

When and Why You Need an Entertainment Lawyer

As a screenwriter, director, musical artist, fiction writer, or a performer with a public image or voice, you own creative copyright.

What to Look for in Hiring an Entertainment Attorney

Now that you understand the role of the entertainment lawyer, it is good to think about what you need help with and select an entertainment attorney carefully. Entertainment lawyers can help with a variety of scenarios and provide critical advice for key moments in your career.

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Legal and insurance issues are not most creatives’ favorite topic! Nonetheless they are vital to any production. In addition to realizing all the details of the creative vision for your project and managing the production tech and details, it is also good to have someone on your team looking out for liability.

Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards

Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.

What is entertainment lawyer?

What is an entertainment lawyer? Unlike divorce or corporate lawyers, an entertainment lawyer represents and protects the interests of creatives, companies and others in the many areas of the entertainment industry, such as film, television, new media, theater, publishing and music.

Do entertainment lawyers charge hourly?

Very commonly, lawyers charge an hourly rate, but it’s possible to hire one who uses flat rates for particular services as well. Should you hire an entertainment lawyer for a court case, you may even be able to negotiate having their fee—or contingency rate—come out of the expected settlement.

Do entertainment lawyers provide free consultations?

Yes, most entertainment lawyers will provide a brief complimentary consultation. Keep in mind, though, that this consultation isn’t about getting free information for a legal issue. Rather, the consultation is to determine if that particular lawyer will be a good fit for your needs. 10.

Is an entertainment lawyer an employee?

Is an entertainment lawyer hired as an employee or contractor? Unless you are potentially forming a company that would require the ongoing services of an entertainment lawyer, they would not be hired as an employee. Rather, they are a contractor who is part of a law firm or the proprietor of their own business. 16.

Can an emerging creative lawyer be an entertainment lawyer?

And while true that these professionals can foster your career and provide some of the same benefits as an entertainment lawyer, namely industry connections and career advice, neither have the legal expertise of an entertainment lawyer.

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