Apr 08, 2021 · 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.
Jan 30, 2022 · 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. But it is important to understand what an entertainment attorney does, as they can provide essential …
Oct 26, 2018 · What Does an Entertainment Lawyer Do? Entertainment law, sometimes referred to as “media law,” provides various legal services to individuals and businesses involved in the entertainment industry. This area of law covers all different types of media including: Film Music Publishing Advertising Internet TV/Radio Theater
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Lawyer salaries - 1 salaries reported | $190,589/yr |
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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.
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 naĂŻve performer may come to mind.
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.
As a screenwriter, director, musical artist, fiction writer, or a performer with a public image or voice, you own creative copyright.
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.
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.
Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.
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.
Especially when it comes to negotiating contracts and handling potential litigation matters, an entertainment lawyer is key to best protecting your interests.
If you already have an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles or entertainment lawyer in NYC, consult with them about how to move forward in such circumstances . Depending on the nature of your role on the project, they can advise about seeking in-state legal advice.
Between a conventional four-year undergraduate program, law school and bar exam success on the first try, a person looking to be licensed as a California entertainment lawyer may do so in approximately seven years.
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.
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.
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.
Entertainment lawyers are law professionals who represent the artists, employees, and companies involved in the entertainment industry. Keep reading to learn more about the entertainment lawyer.
Because the industry utilizes so many different fields of practice, entertainment lawyers must have extensive knowledge about multiple legal categories. They must also be familiar with various sectors of the entertainment industry, though some choose to work in just one sector such as music or film.
Litigation-based lawyers on the other hand, are focused on defending clients in lawsuits and pursuing lawsuits on behalf of clients. These attorneys must be familiar with both criminal and civil laws. For instance, a litigation lawyer may represent a musician being sued by a production company for copyright infringement.
After graduating, many lawyers begin their careers by working as law clerks after graduation. Since it is a very specialized field, it is not uncommon for entertainment lawyers to work in a different area of law before finding a job in the entertainment industry.
The median wage for attorneys in the U.S. is $119,250 as of 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”) Occupational Outlook Handbook. This accounts for all lawyers, as the BLS does not distinguish by area of practice.
Larger law firms are likely staffed to handle a wide variety of legal specialties. They may also employ both transactional and litigation lawyers. Smaller firms or private practices generally focus on a specific area within litigation or transactional law.
A Master of Law degree (M.L. or LL.M) is available for students wanting to take a closer look at the law after receiving their Juris Doctorate degree. The degree is internationally recognized, and it can broaden a person’s career horizons.
Entertainment lawyers are often generalists in the field of entertainment law, which requires them to know a lot of legal subjects. They can give you advice and recommendations about:
Networking is one of the most important skills for entertainment lawyers. They should have connections in the film or music industries so they can secure the best contracts for their clients. Other types of lawyers may focus on marketing to potential clients. Draft contracts for a client, review contracts from managers, publicists, record labels, ...
On the other hand, these attorneys may work directly for professional organizations to perform duties they may desire. They most often deal with transactions—negotiating and drafting contracts.
Call that attorney back and be ready to sign the retainer agreement to get started. Expect to spend between $250 and $500 per hour once the attorney begins to work for you. Finally, listen to the advice you get and, of course, take the advice you pay for.
Education. Like other attorneys, an entertainment attorney spends three years earning a law degree after receiving a bachelor’s degree. But an entertainment attorney chooses to focus on entertainment, most often graduating from a law school that offers a specialization in entertainment law.
Some of the top schools are the University of California at Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Stanford University and New York University. Once a person graduates from a law school, they can represent clients in the entertainment industry without requiring additional training or certification.
They act as general counsel for established artists, helping with marketing and merchandising deals, as well as real estate transactions and tax issues. Also, they help artists secure the rights to use music that other artists have written, complying with copyright laws.
Entertainment lawyers provide legal help for artists, employees, companies and individuals involved in all areas of the entertainment industry, including film, radio, television, music, publishing, theater and digital or multimedia entertainment like video games.
Maintain relationships with studios or record labels and be aware of who's influential and what deals are being made in the industry. Having strong contacts can help a lawyer get a deal done quickly, while knowledge of what's being offered elsewhere can help the lawyer get the best deal for a client.
Act as general counsel for established artists, helping with marketing and merchandising deals, as well as real estate transactions and tax issues.
Not all entertainment attorneys have the same job description. Let's look next at the different specialties that entertainment lawyers can have.
Entertainment lawyers represent people in the entertainment industry (authors, musicians, actors, producers, etc.) in lawsuits and can advise them about contracts they’re entering into.
If you’re being sued, an entertainment lawyer will do their best to prove your innocence or reduce any charges against you. There are no guarantees in a lawsuit, but having a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the law and court procedure will give you your best chance.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
Drafting and negotiating contracts is a key part of entertainment law. Lawyers must work to carefully to negotiate agreements that are favorable to their clients. They must be mindful of issues like enforceability of contract terms and damages in the event of a breach.
Most entertainment lawyers practice in the entertainment hotspots of the United States. You can find most entertainment lawyers in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville. These cities are where most production studios operate and where there’s the most work to do.
Entertainment lawyers must be mindful of labor and employment laws that apply to their industry. Whether it’s written law from a federal or state agency or it’s a negotiated union contract, entertainment lawyers who employ talent and production staff must be sure to follow labor and employment laws .
Entertainment law is the collection of the many areas of law that impact the entertainment industry. Entertainment law is the sum total of several different types of law that are relevant to the entertainment industry including transactional law and litigation. Laws that impact the entertainment industry include federal and state laws, ...
When there are disputes, people and organizations in the entertainment industry turn to litigation. They might use litigation to resolve contract disputes, torts, employment disputes and other types of wrongs or disagreements.
Contract law in entertainment law. A large part of entertainment law is contract law. Some contracts in the entertainment industry last years while others are for a single event. Contracts in the entertainment industry might involve very large amounts of money. Drafting and negotiating contracts is a key part of entertainment law.
Compliance law in entertainment law. Entertainment producers have to comply with a number of rules and regulations. The Federal Communications Commission creates regulations that apply to 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.
The most common reason that an entertainer hires a lawyer is to review, draft, or negotiate a contract.
The easiest way to switch attorneys is to find a new attorney and ask the old one to send the file to the new one. In that case, before terminating your current attorney, you would have another attorney prepared to take over any outstanding legal work.
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).
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?
Some lawyers only draft and negotiate contracts; these are known as "transactional" attorneys. Some only handle lawsuits and represent actors (or producers or venues); these are known as " litigators ."
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.
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.
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.
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, ...
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.