And thats just one area of music law. There are, of course, so many others, adds Maude, including touring, which we get involved in with things such as visas, tour sponsorship, private jet hire, crew agreements, live broadcast deals, bus companies/trucking, and equipment hire, for example, stage and lighting. Theres also merchandise, endorsement, management contracts and any other area the client takes us including film, TV and modelling.. I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I also noticed that many Entertainment Lawyers had moved on to successful careers as principals in the industry. WebLets explore some of these paths by looking at the 5 main steps to becoming a lawyer. Here is an article After you have had your initial meetings with your short list, choose the lawyer that has the skills for your particular case at a price you can afford. Broaden your horizons. It requires persistence, a little finesse, having the right qualifications and being in the right place at the right time. Source: Being a music lawyer is often fast-paced, and there isn't always a guarantee of being paid for all the advice you offer, but its a privilege to play a special role in someones career.. But more importantly than that, to become a music lawyer, you must understand what it even means to be a music lawyer which is also required for breaking the prejudice surrounding this profession in the sphere of public opinion. about the different types of contracts used by musicians and what they do. Falling within the Ive seen it happen many times, where people get their foot in the door through some kind of internship and end up with a permanent position. By meeting many individuals who know a substantial amount about the music industry, one can find opportunities to receive mentorship, do volunteer work, and even acquire social connections with high-profile musicians and industry figures. The complexities of the music industry have grown substantially in the technological era in some ways to the benefit of all, including musicians, and others to their detriment. Maigan speaks conversational Spanish. As an undergraduate, aspiring Attorneys often choose to work towards a BS in Legal Studies, but a bachelors in law isnt a requirement for application to graduate school and many Lawyers major in subjects that will inform their practice in other ways. This is because lawyer for musicians must be able to defend their clients against industry-specific disputes that other lawyers may not have knowledge of. His professionalism, judgment, integrity, and service orientation impressed me for someone right out of law school. What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career? I think working as a lawyer in the music industry is also a lifestyle choice, she says. The life of a Music Lawyer often seems improbably glamorous. As you build your own clientele, youre naturally going to be spending more time with them, and evolving from someone that primarily handles their agreements into a trusted advisor and confidant as well. Get a degree in something thats more applicable in different areas because you might not want to work in the music industry your whole life. Singing Competitions: Will They Really Make You a Star? Getting experience before law school or during law school working jobs either in a law firm in any capacity or as a paralegal is an excellent way to get started on this process. Its great to have drive and focus and I respect that. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Thats creating value., Dont wait for someone to hand you something. Its a reminder of just who these lawyers speak to on the daily. If you get a bad feeling or just don't hit it off with a candidate, don't feel any obligation to hire them. Just call up and say, Hey I go to this school and Im looking for an internship., Thats how I got mine. Although having a deep understanding of the law and its application is fundamental to any practicing lawyer, much of what we do day to day focuses on applying commercial music industry know-how, says Lyons. Consider, for example, the case of Eminems song Kill You on his 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP, which resulted in a 10 million dollar lawsuit from French pianist Jacques Loussier, who claims that Eminem used a sample from Loussiers jazz-fusion song Pulsion.. Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect! Hes not involved in law at all now because his mind isnt wired to work that way. Our team will learn about your firm's goals and source qualified lawyers to become virtual associates to create leverage. If were doing traditional business law you need something like that [an office] but I think it turns off a lot of creative types., Most entertainment law firms have set business hours, yet at the same time Attorneys have to be willing to put in the work whenever its necessary, whether that means studying contracts over the weekend or meeting clients for dinner. One day, following a long talk with a friend, I decided that law school was the right path for me. Learn more about the costs associated with music lawyers and why you should pay them by checking out Thats an easy thing to do and it really helps. Since entertainment law is a very specialized field, many aspiring Entertainment Attorneys will actually work for several years in other types of law before finding an opportunity at a firm specializing in music, film, or gaming. How To Sing: The Complete Guide for Beginners, Producing Music Basics: What You Need to Know, Music Management: Everything You Need to Know, Vocalist Qualities You Must Have to Build a Successful Singing Career, 4 Song Structure Types to Know & When to Use Them in Your Songwriting. Maude notes that when artists are used to people taking their calls at any time of the day, theres an expectation of your availability, and if youre representing big artists, many of them live abroad and may need to communicate in a different time zone to you. Maude highlights that that time is willingly given most of the time, but would agree with Lyons when she notes that its not unusual to work 12-hour days. They may be able to relate to the clients more because of the shared interest. Music lawyers are needed in the industry to protect musicians and record companies in fair proportions, and by a considerable measure, that is the sole occupation of music lawyers. Prior to establishing Phillips Law Firm, P.C., Nicole built her first successful law practice in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she focused on Family Law, Estate Planning and Personal Injury Law, and her second successful law practice in Sherman, Texas, focusing primarily on Family Law. Every morning, before school, he would deliver hay to a herd of 50 hungry cows. I find people are more comfortable with that than when theyre at your office. -Registering and protecting intellectual property As a Music Lawyer, you protect the business interests of [career_link composers], [career_link recording-artists], and bands. The sooner you start networking the better off youll be. After seven years of practicing law in Tennessee, Dean moved back to his birth state and practiced law in California from 2003-2015. Pursuing his passion for helping others, Dean now utilizes his legal and entrepreneurial experience to help his clients in their personal and business lives. What Inspired You to Become an Entertainment Lawyer? I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. Hiring a lawyer on ContractsCounsel is easy, transparent and affordable. While in law school, you can choose to specialize in studying music law. -Reviewing and negotiating contracts Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Entertainment Lawyer's can make an average annual Born in Jamaica and raised in Miami,Kamal Moois a Los Angeles-based Entertainment Attorney specializing in independent music. If you can figure out how to make yourself useful so you can come right in and really lighten someones load and its not the other way around where the firm is taking a lot of time and training you then maybe a firm will take the chance. What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do? While the Bureau of Labor Statistics hasnt collected data regarding the salary of music attorneys, in particular, the average salary of a general lawyer is a good yardstick for salary expectations in law, no matter what branch you decide to pursue. entertainment lawyer Give it a try. Select your education level Legal Studies Legal Studies in a Specific Area Law Degree Programs Where do you want to attend The requirement of a bachelors degree for law school does not entail any specific major just the degree itself. In addition, he was responsible for sweeping "the shop" at his parent's 40-employee HVAC business. Ive used it quite a bit., Try and take things that are more down-to-earth. Understanding what you need legal help with will make it easier for you to find a lawyer who is up to the task. After getting hired by an entertainment law firm, advancement would mean working with better-known, higher paying clients and perhaps eventually opening his or her own law firm. What this has obscured in the public eye is that most music lawyers are not biased in this manner but that a sizable number of music lawyers are and in spite of the latter, the former, entailing perfectly ethical and fair legal work, goes utterly unnoticed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2021, the median salary for lawyers is $127,990. Our core expertise is in entertainment but as part of the service we provide, if our clients need anything of a legal nature, its our job to find them the best person, and make sure that theyre treated well and prioritized, and that they pay a fair price. Start by doing a Google search for entertainment lawyers in your area. If numbers are your thing, maybe law school isnt for you and you should get an MBA. The other element is that employers like to see a commitment to entertainment demonstrated by action. Lawyers for musicians are legal representatives who specialize in the music industry. I began in Mergers & Acquisitions, but the firm had a storied entertainment department with clients going all the way back to Arthur Miller and Cole Porter, and I eventually transitioned into that department when a spot opened. All relationships between business users and the independent lawyers featured on this website will be governed by the individual engagement letters provided by each lawyer. In law school I got an internship at a firm that did strictly entertainment law and my friend was like, Youre so lucky! trademark application In more specific terms, an intellectual property license indicates that a licensor (the musician) must give permission to the user (licensee) before their property can be used legally. These contracts also include vital details about the terms surrounding financial streams that music creates, such as: When an entertainment lawyer files for an intellectual property license, it makes using the music without properly compensating the artist illegal. I went to Southwestern because they have a whole entertainment law program and a lot of their alumni come back to teach classes. When most people think of Entertainment Attorneys they envision a flashy, high-powered office and an intense workload. In Australia, youll spend a minimum of four years studying to become a lawyer. Of course, thats not to say aspiring Entertainment Attorneys should give up on their dreams and settle for a less fascinating practice. If they read the key trade publications regularly, they can acquire a context for what they are learning in school or in other areas of law practice, and get a feel for what is going on in the industry. Were all on a journey together trying to help them reach their goals. Dean is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts of Colorado (District of Colorado), California (Central District), and Tennessee (Eastern District). Roy Cooper signs House Bill 347: Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering into law on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. These are all things clients will ask and none of that is learnt at law school., Everitt chips in: Up-to-date industry knowledge and know-how is how we are adding value over and above legal advice, says Everitt. How do I become a music lawyer? Get the inside scoop from pupils and junior tenants at the Bar. Dont try and pigeonhole yourself. He got an offer from a top Wall Street firm where hell get really great training and make a big dent in his student loans. Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT): The LSAT is a standardized test that measures reading and critical thinking skills. When a musician goes on tour, they visit many different cities. Complete our 4-step process to provide info on what you need done. English. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended, especially early in a law career, that you put in more hours, as opposed to less, because that way, you can build a clientele and experience base that justifies putting in fewer hours. Lawyers might even become responsible for ensuring that musicians do not break the law or at least coaching them toward more civil behavior. While even the first part of career-building for an Attorney getting into law school can be daunting, the struggle to set oneself apart from ones peers and land a dream job at a high-powered firm can be even more difficult. Let's review the five main steps: #1: Do well in high school. Paul Rothenberg is the founder bicoastal law firm Rothenberg P.C. That kind of arrangement is more appropriate for a label managing multiple artists, or someone negotiating numerous contracts with different parties. Best Music Schools 2023: Who Has the Best Music Programs? These details often include: Booking agreements exist to protect both parties and makes sure that everyone holds up their end of the deal. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at his alma mater, Southwestern Law School and has been a guest speaker to UCLAs Entertainment Business program. Lawyers tell us how they spend their days and share some of the trends shaping the work in their area of practice. Music Industry Lawyers handle many different aspects of their clients business. Look for law schools that have a focus on entertainment law when youre applying at the graduate-level. The jobs one can have as a music lawyer arent singular but are highly varied. Offered 100% online, the Online Master of Laws (LLM) for Foreign Lawyers program at USC Gould School of Law provides a vibrant and enriching academic environment for international attorneys, government officials, corporate legal counsel, and recent law graduates to pursue graduate studies in U.S. law. These courses are some of the basic building blocks of an entertainment practice. But obviously, you should decline any advice from the party on the other side of your legal issue. We love people who really love music. That being said, the average salary for His first taste of entrepreneurship came from an early age when he helped manage his familys small free range cattle farm. Most Relevant is selected, so some comments may have been filtered out. However, I ended up taking a job in New York at a big Wall Street firm (Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison) and I loved the intensity and high stakes and kind of got sucked into the culture. Just like anything else, its much easier if youve got a great product; there are a lot of people who havent had the opportunity or the training who are out there, pitching themselves in order to solicit clients. I took some classes at the business school, but at the time I felt I had already lost four years and I was in a hurry to get started. If theres a lawsuit and we need a litigator, well find the right person for the matter in question. For each venue, there is a booking agreement that outlines the details of the event. Online Course Catalog Browse more than 200 unique 12-week courses in a wide variety of musical interest areas. Pass the SQE exams The SQE process to qualification requires applicants to complete two years of qualifying work experience, pass two SQE exams, meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements and hold a degree-level qualification. 20 years experienced attorney, Corp/commercial RE/wills trusts/ contracts/ reg compliance. Learn how to enable Javascript. #1 thing is network. Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Music Manager, Hip Hop Producers and Their Representation, Before You Sign a Music Producer Contract, How (and Why) to Fire Someone From Your Band, How to Hire a Lottery Lawyer to Manage Your Winnings. You're looking for someone who specializes in things like record labelcontracts, and who knows the industry. How the A&R people think and operate, which labels are the best labels currently, which are the best managers, agents, merchandisers, etc. Who doesnt want free labor? Our Clients Aren't. Of the experience and skills necessary to become successful, Moo says, it goes back to just being good with people. The most crucial thing is being able to talk to creative people and being a Manager helped me a lot in this. Maigan acted as general counsel for a NFT platform for two years and speaks and understands smart contracts. Music Theory for Beginners: Time Signatures, Chord Progressions & More, Make Music Online Free: How To Get Started. This includes contractual agreements, negotiating, advice, and counseling. Maybe you need help with contract negotiation or dealing with intellectual property issues. Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. He is also a technology enthusiast, craft beer connoisseur, and avid soccer player. If possible, your lawyer should be present with you during any negotiations with the other party. Like other types of contracts, booking agreements also include details about what happens when someone violates the contract or what can be done in the event of a cancellation. We've detected that Javascript is not enabled. Meet people in the industry whenever you can. Fort Lauderdale Intellectual Property Lawyers, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Lawyers, Oklahoma City Intellectual Property Lawyers, Philadelphia Intellectual Property Lawyers, Salt Lake City Intellectual Property Lawyers, San Antonio Intellectual Property Lawyers, San Francisco Intellectual Property Lawyers. WebOur music solicitors help artists, record labels, and other music industry organisations with a range of issues, including copyright and Get in touch with our expert team today to discuss your music law needs. If someone wants to license your song to use in an ad, movie, or other production, hire a lawyer. is one of the biggest benefits for musicians who hire entertainment lawyers. But if youre good with words, communicating and writingmaybe law is better for you.. Researched and written by Nikolai Viedge, February 2022. The bottom line is that it's generally tough to become a full-time music Then I started to get into the business side, and formed a production company with two partners. However, the profession of music law has had its public image tainted by too many incidents in which music lawyers aided record companies to leave musicians on the wrong end of a contract and there are vanishingly few incidents in which the reverse occurs. My law firm assists clients with business, contract, entertainment, IP, and estate planning matters. What kind of educational background should an aspiring Entertainment Attorney have? He also spent time working with the in-house team at adidas where, among other things, he reviewed and negotiated complex agreements and created training materials for employees. WebEssential Skills This job requires a range of both academic and interpersonal skills. Hopefully, hell come back and join us in a couple of years. At its most fundamental level, Everitt explains, music lawyers are dealing with contract law and IP law. What's permitted use in a commercial lease? They may have good intentions, but you can't be too sure. My goal is to explain a lot of things so people understand. There are no required courses or recommended majors for law school admission. The sole duty of music lawyers is to ensure that, despite these pitfalls in understanding, clients are treated with dignity, fairness, and compassion. Ive done both. Nicole graduated from The University of South Dakota with a degree in Criminal Justice, and attended Oklahoma City University School of Law to obtain her law degree. When injustice has been done, David is proud to stand up to the modern Goliath and vindicate your rights on your behalf. Youve got to really work on building an expertise and make that as important as obtaining clients. The best way is if you have a close friend or relative who will trust you and give you a chance., If you want to be in the music industry youve got to network like crazy, be good with everybody and dont be a jerk. Therefore, most law schools dont require you to study a particular subject (such as pre-law) as an undergraduate. This means that their lawyer should advocate for them to facilitate recording agreement contract terms. To qualify for law school, however, one first needs a bachelors degree. I took Accounting and Business Law, but I wish Id done more. His advice? instructions. Start to think about what you want to do and if being an Entertainment Attorney is really for you. His clientele includes stars like Trey Songz, Logic, Charlie Puth, DAngelo, ASAP Ferg and Andra Day, along with many other artists, Writers, Producers, music business executives, and brands. Is there anything you see young Entertainment Lawyers struggling with early on in their careers or any mistakes you see them making? She has worked at Amoeba Records and Electric Fetus Records and interned at Atlantic Jaxx/Accidental Records. New York Business law attorney with corporate, securities and contracts experience. He a diverse range of music industry clients, including Trey Songz, Logic, Charlie Puth, DAngelo, ASAP Ferg and Andra Day. Before Signing A Licensing Deal. Famous cases of other types are endless Drakes lawyer Larry Stein, for instance, has famously facilitated the rapper and R&B singers achievement of becoming among the wealthiest artists of all time through outstanding contract negotiation practices. As you get more seniority you experience more of the so-called glamorous aspect. Dean's career has entailed practicing multiple areas of law, including civil litigation with a large law firm, prosecuting criminal cases as an Assistant District Attorney, In-House Counsel for Safeco Insurance, and as the founding member of an online law group that helped thousands of people get affordable legal services. Ive always had a good aptitude for school and been a strong writer, but I had a friend, for example, whos more of a numbers guy and after practicing for a few years he was a miserable wreck. Live music took a massive hit and many artists turned to digital livestream events in order to continue to be profitable. While for us, as consumers, this could be a nice bit of distraction from whichever lockdown we were currently in, for Lyons and her colleagues these events gave rise to complex rights clearance issues including global PRO licensing and how ownership and revenue should be shared between the artist, their labels and publisher. What to Know Before You Seek an Attorney to Represent You. Having a lawyer to consult and trust in when it comes to I went to gigs and read music-business journals, and if I saw an interesting article in a newspaper for example, Id cut it out, and keep it. We will be in touch shortly! This may involve filing a He has also served as counsel for court-appointed receivers, brought wrongful termination and compensation claims by executives and minority shareholders and addressed securities fraud claims, a partnership claim related to the development of a cellulosic ethanol plant, and a contract dispute involving information technology services. Master these skills for a rewarding career as a music agent: Knowledge of contract law. Understanding your needs will help you choose the right specialist. There is an Agent once the artist has gotten to the point of playing live shows. Get Admitted to the State Bar of California. After you have obtained your bachelor s degree, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice. To talk about your situation. Music lawyers practice entertainment law and often specialize in different parts of the industry. Law school is very expensive and you have to consider this before getting into that much debt. On the other hand, Music Lawyers who work for themselves (aka freelancers) charge a set fee for certain services and longer-term project, an hourly rate for shorter-term projects, and a retainer for regular, ongoing projects. These lawyers represent Go and work for a management company, booking agent or a record label or publishing company. So, for example, knowing the average major label record royalty rate and how this is impacted in various scenarios is the type of knowledge you acquire on the job and is a valuable aspect of the advice we give alongside a rigorous application of the law. Lyons adds that getting to know what the music industry commercial 'norms' was one of the biggest challenges in the early stages of my career. For her, such knowledge can only be acquired through practicing., Lots of people love listening to music, but if you can show you have a genuine commercial interest in the music industry, and can demonstrate your real commitment to it and why it interests you, that will help., Maude partially agrees: I think it helps to give proper advice to understand the mechanics of the business, he muses. Jason is a self-starting, go-getting lawyer who takes a pragmatic approach to helping his clients. However, it is not as difficult as it may sound. Learn personal injury [law] because its not like youre going to graduate and become an Entertainment Attorney right away. I believe a lot of law schools have something similar where you do pro bono work for clients that cant afford a Lawyer, and youre supervised by a Lawyer. Sync licensing allows for legal use of copyrighted songs with pre-approval. Before taking a job, gauge the company culture. Its really not that hard to get those positions. I may be biased because this was my background. making mistakes or typos). Weve hired several times based on this kind of recommendation. Just be resourceful. What are the Pros and Cons of Using a Freelance Lawyer? He also previously worked with Meriwether Group, a Portland-based business consulting firm focused on accelerating the growth of disruptive consumer brands and facilitating founder exits. Please check your browser's settings and make sure Javascript is turned on. The relationship between users and ContractsCounsel are not protected as attorney-client privilege or as legal work product.
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