Entertainment law is not considered a separate legal discipline, but rather a blend of traditional legal disciplines, such as contract law, intellectual property law, and business law. Entertainment lawyers may represent clients ranging from huge film studios to individual artists, and may focus on one or more of a wide range of specialty areas, including film, TV, radio, music, performing arts, museums and art, gaming and new media, merchandising and licensing, literary publishing and litigation. They often specialize in a specific field of law, such as criminal law, business law or immigration law. The last step in the process to become an entertainment lawyer is taking and passing the bar examination. 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. 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Law firms like BLAKE & WANG P.A. Another option is to use an attorney database. The second and third years allow students to take more electives and begin specializing. Curriculum, relevancy of sample programs, and outcomes will vary by school. Lawyers in the entertainment industry may also charge a contingency fee if the client is asking the court to award compensation. Although most work in an office setting, travel may be required and off-site meetings are likely. Most entertainment attorneys also practice either transactional or litigation law. Web. Enter zip: Entertainment law, sometimes referred to as “media law,” provides various legal services to individuals and businesses involved in the entertainment industry. There are particular skills that lawyers need, such as being able to research, analyze, speak and write well, so taking classes that help develop those skills could be especially useful. Rules and procedures vary by state, but the main qualifications are a law degree and passage of the Bar exam. Entertainment lawyers falling on the higher end of the salary spectrum are generally those with more expertise, experience, and seniority. During college you may also prepare for this career by beginning to learning about the entertainment industry. Future entertainment lawyers should take electives on such topics as the first amendment, intellectual property, copyright law, negotiations and income tax, plus any industry-specific electives that match their interests, such as music law or film and television law. To practice law, lawyers must become members of their state bar association. This standardized exam, which assess reading comprehension, logical, and verbal reasoning proficiency, is one of the major factors law schools consider during the admissions process. We can make sure you are working with contracts that are right for you and can help you navigate disputes if they arise. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. 10 Things To Know About Entertainment Law Many attorneys love being an essential part of … For example, an entertainment lawyer who specializes in transactions may draft a contract between an actor and a television program that outlines the duties and obligations of each party. Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a nursing home lawyer. Attorneys may attend approved courses, seminars or conferences and, in a growing number of states, they may gain credits for online courses or webcasts. They also represent sports stars and other celebrities. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. Sanderson Entertainment Law provides a range of Legal services for the Music, Art, Film and Television Professional or LL.M) is available for students wanting to take a closer look at the law after receiving their Juris Doctorate degree. Flat-rates are typically reserved for basic services like reviewing contracts, or for legal issues that are cut and dry. A Master of Law degree (M.L. The test administrator, the Law School Admission Council, offer free sample tests and questions. How entertainment lawyers get paid varies, as some work for an hourly rate while others charge a flat-rate fee. There is normally a second day of testing that assesses writing and lawyering skills. Law schools typically offer study aids and advice to those preparing to take the Bar, and you can increase your chances of passing the Bar by taking a bar exam prep course. Why hire an Entertainment attorney. Now let's take a look at the steps an aspiring entertainment lawyer can take to enter this career field. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. Juris Doctor (J.D. For more extensive preparation, students can enroll in a private course or purchase study guides. • The Juris Doctor degree program generally takes three years of full-time study. These meetings, or initial consultations, are often done free of charge. Here's a tip for success: consider attending law school in an industry hub. A new member of the Bar is free to begin practicing law. Such coursework also allows students to gain an appreciation for the arts themselves. Many law schools, including most approved by the American Bar Association, require applicants to submit scores from the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This can prove to be very beneficial when seeking employment. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. The American Bar Association recommends picking whatever major will challenge and inspire future law students to do their best. What Is An Entertainment Lawyer? Their duties generally include handling either transactional work or litigation, and they often specialize in a particular entertainment field. If an attorney provides long-term representation and the client has a steady income, he may charge a percentage of earnings. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. You can also reference the bar association website for your state to find the right entertainment lawyer. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Some law schools also offer certificates in entertainment law, which can be earned in addition to a law degree and allow students to specialize their studies. Regardless of whether the attorney charges hourly or a flat rate fee, they may also require a retainer. For example, entertainment lawyers negotiate and document film stars' compensation, musicians' recording contracts, and authors' publication deals, as well as movie distribution and rights. Entertainment industry hubs, such as Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas and Nashville tend to boast a higher concentration of law schools with entertainment law programs and resources. Depending on the type of practice and client, daily work may include such diverse duties as reviewing a celebrity endorsement deal, researching collective bargaining agreements or handling a tax filing. Cloudflare Ray ID: 5e3b26d79ce51630 Some aspiring entertainment lawyers choose to attend law schools that offer a specialization in entertainment law. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lawyers earned an average salary of $144,230 as of May 2018. They can stay informed by reading leading industry publication, like The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Advertising Age. To become an entertainment lawyer, you need a bachelor's degree, take the LSAT, attend law school and pass the Bar exam before finding employment as an associate at a law firm or in-house counsel for a corporate legal department. The first year is devoted to basic law topics, such as civil procedure, torts, property and contracts. The degree is internationally recognized, and it can broaden a person’s career horizons. City Vs. Country: Where Is IT Better to Work and Play? Often, extra services such as travel expenses and filing fees are not included in the hourly or flat rate fee. • Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass.