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How Entertainment Lawyers Work

Choosing an Entertainment Lawyer

flo rida
Attorneys may negotiate contracts for musicians. Here shown from left, Sony ATV CEO Martin Bandier, rap artist Flo Rida, AVP Sony Music Publishing Juan Madrid and attorney Sandy Lal celebrate Flo Rida's signing.
© Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images

If you're a musician or an actor, you probably didn't think about the importance of having an entertainment lawyer until you had a contract to sign. Once you signed, you'd be bound by the contract's terms. Suddenly, looking at those terms, you knew you needed a lawyer to look it over and make sure everything worked as much to your advantage as possible. Perhaps your agent could offer an opinion, but a lawyer would have more expertise.

In looking for the right entertainment lawyer to meet your needs, you'll want to consider the following about the lawyer or firm:

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  • Expertise -- Look for someone who has the specific background you need, in this case, handling contracts within the music industry.
  • Experience -- Focus on finding a lawyer or firm that has years of experience in the area you need.
  • Cost -- Decide which form and level of billing suits your needs best. Entertainment lawyers may bill on an hourly basis for work completed, as a percentage of the income from a contract, as a flat rate per contract or as a retainer (set fee per month). They also may use value billing to set a fee based on the size of the deal and the lawyer's contribution to it. Make sure you know about any hidden costs beyond fees, likes charges for long-distance phone calls, messenger service and photocopies.
  • Conflicts of Interest -- Check to make sure the lawyer does not represent anyone who would be on the opposing side of the contract or have a close relationship with them.
  • References -- Request and check references for clients similar to yourself in terms of needs and years in the business. You'll want to know how responsive the lawyer is about returning phone calls or e-mails and how quickly he can get your job done.

[sources: How Recording Contracts Work and MusicBizAcademy]

Here are some suggestions on finding an entertainment lawyer:

  • Network! The entertainment industry runs on contacts, and a colleague or someone further along in his career may have used a lawyer that would work well for you.
  • Use an industry database. In the music industry, for example, StarPolish offers a database of lawyers offering services related to music publishing and copyrights.
  • Check ads in industry publications like Billboard.
  • Contact the ABA's Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries or a law school's entertainment law association or publication, such as the UCLA Entertainment Law Review.

Regardless of the entertainment industry you call home, an entertainment lawyer can help you to protect your interests and move ahead in your career.

For lots more information about entertainment lawyers and related topics, check out the links below.

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More Great Links

Sources

  • "Best Entertainment Law Schools and Sports Law Schools." Top-law-schools.com. (http://www.top-law-schools.com/entertainment-law-schools.html)
  • "Breaking into Show Biz: For Those Who Aspire to a Career in Entertainment Law." Litwak, Mark. (http://www.marklitwak.com/articles/general/show_biz.html)
  • "Choosing an Entertainment Attorney." Friends, Stacey, Esq. ImagineNews.com. (http://www.imaginenews.com/Archive/2003/DEC_2003/02_DEPARTMENTS/05_LEGAL_LENS.html)
  • "Entertainment Law Attorneys: An Introduction to Working with Them." Knab, Christopher. MusicBizAcademy.com. February 2008. (http://www.musicbizacademy.com/knab/articles/elawyers.htm)
  • Entertainment Lawyer. Pinguelo, Fernando, Esq. (http://www.tvradiolawyer.com)
  • "Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for Solo and Small Firm Lawyers." Gibson, K. William and Trautz, Reid F. American Bar Association, 2005, page 113. (http://books.google.com/books?id=-8I50F2hQc8C&pg=PA113&;lpg=PA113&dq=how+to+become+an+entertainment+lawyer&source=web&-lots=bpOooqERxM&sig=vfv38ikiY6xOLrXp_sZprSGhGDo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&­resnum=2&ct=result#PPA113,M1)
  • "How to Become Successful in the Music Business." McVey, Dick. (http://www.dickmcvey.com/Success.htm)
  • Lawyers.com. (http://entertainment-law.lawyers.com/)
  • "Movie producers set Aug. deadline for SAG contract." Nakashima, Ryan. Associated Press. July 9, 2008.
  • "Rapper Nas 'Untitled,' unbowed over epithet." Jones, Steve. USA Today. July 7, 2008. (http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-07-nas-untitled_N.htm)
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  • Work Behind the Curtain: Entertainment Industry Needs More than Just Actors and Singers." Needleman, Sarah E. Wall Street Journal Careerjournal. October 2003. (http://www.wsjclassroomedition.com/archive/03oct/care_showbiz.htm)
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