What does an Entertainment Attorney do?
Entertainment attorneys provide legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses in arts and entertainment industries.
At a Glance
Being an entertainment attorney, or any kind of attorney, for that matter, means passing the LSATs, attending law school, and passing the bar exam. That's a lot of education to get through, so it's no surprise that most would recommend starting early—entering law school shortly after graduating college and starting a career as soon as one passes the bar. However, that's not to say there aren't alternative paths; many successful entertainment attorneys come to the profession by a more roundabout route, starting out as licensing representatives, music publishers, artist managers, personal business managers, or even artists themselves.
Since entertainment law is fairly specialized, an internship or apprenticeship with an entertainment law firm is the ideal introduction to the particularities of the industry. Another good way to begin learning about the entertainment business is to read industry trade publications, such as Billboard or Pollstar, and to attend seminars pertaining to entertainment law, which are offered by many bar and legal-education associations.
- Copyright law
- Music licensing
- Contract law
- Negotiation
- Research
- Administration
- Written and verbal communication
- Organization
- Critical thinking
Wise people have said that the entertainment industry is all about who you know. Attorneys working in the field would do well to heed this advice, and network just as enthusiastically as they attend to the rule of law. Entertainment attorneys should also seek to cultivate excellent communication and social skills; if two attorneys are equal in their ability to represent clients, the more communicative and likable one will often win out.
A typical day for an entertainment lawyer involves calling and emailing clients, negotiating the finer points of a deal, and preparing and reviewing large numbers of legal documents. Meals and evenings are often spent networking with current and potential clients. It is a demanding lifestyle, to be sure, but for many the rewards greatly outweigh the challenges. Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville are the major centers for entertainment law, but there are numerous small firms and privately practicing attorneys in smaller regional markets.
