Entertainment in LA: Which big law firm out of law school? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey guys thanks a lot in advance for any advice! I am currently at CCN and am considering which big firms to apply to in LA. I was wondering if there was a clear firm to choose if I want to end up in entertainment law (preferably the transactional side). Right now I am considering OMM and Sheppard Mullin. I've also heard of people going in-house into entertainment out of Latham and GDC, but I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge. Thanks again!

[FSK]

http://www.chambersandpartners.com/1205 ... torial/5/1
http://www.chambersandpartners.com/1205 ... torial/5/1

That's a good starting point.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks, yeah I've looked at those. I guess my question is whether it would be better to start out doing transactional at somewhere like Latham or try to weasel my way into an entertainment group at a lower ranked firm like Sheppard or Manatt. The ultimate goal is to go in-house.

[hungryjumps]

You should consider Loeb & Loeb. They are very highly regarded in the Hollywood circuit and consistently place a number of lawyers on THR's Power Lawyers list every year. Many of the entertainment law specialists are boutiques. Some of your more typical Biglaw firms have a good footprint, though: GDC, OMM, Greenberg Taurig, MSK, Manatt (which also has a digital media fund called Manatt Digital Media, doing venture capital investing, if you'd like exposure to that).

Source: Worked on the investment side of film financing pre-law school. These were the names that were tossed around the most often, with very high regard.

[Anonymous User]

You should consider Loeb & Loeb. They are very highly regarded in the Hollywood circuit and consistently place a number of lawyers on THR's Power Lawyers list every year. Many of the entertainment law specialists are boutiques. Some of your more typical Biglaw firms have a good footprint, though: GDC, OMM, Greenberg Taurig, MSK, Manatt (which also has a digital media fund called Manatt Digital Media, doing venture capital investing, if you'd like exposure to that).

Source: Worked on the investment side of film financing pre-law school. These were the names that were tossed around the most often, with very high regard.

I recently confirmed with a partner at Loeb that they don't have summers, only 3L hires. However, it is certainly a great place to do entertainment.

[hungryjumps]

You should consider Loeb & Loeb. They are very highly regarded in the Hollywood circuit and consistently place a number of lawyers on THR's Power Lawyers list every year. Many of the entertainment law specialists are boutiques. Some of your more typical Biglaw firms have a good footprint, though: GDC, OMM, Greenberg Taurig, MSK, Manatt (which also has a digital media fund called Manatt Digital Media, doing venture capital investing, if you'd like exposure to that).

Source: Worked on the investment side of film financing pre-law school. These were the names that were tossed around the most often, with very high regard.

I recently confirmed with a partner at Loeb that they don't have summers, only 3L hires. However, it is certainly a great place to do entertainment.

Ah, is your original question in the context of scoring a full-time job, or a SA? If it is an SA, then go to the best ranked practice in LA, then see if you can go over to Loeb & Loeb as a 3L. If you are dead set on entertainment law there is really not a better large firm to do it at. They have a full service entertainment group whereas many firms that say they have an entertainment group actually only have labor & employment + intellectual property + corporate lawyers informally clustered together to create an "entertainment" group.

[Anonymous User]

You should consider Loeb & Loeb. They are very highly regarded in the Hollywood circuit and consistently place a number of lawyers on THR's Power Lawyers list every year. Many of the entertainment law specialists are boutiques. Some of your more typical Biglaw firms have a good footprint, though: GDC, OMM, Greenberg Taurig, MSK, Manatt (which also has a digital media fund called Manatt Digital Media, doing venture capital investing, if you'd like exposure to that).

Source: Worked on the investment side of film financing pre-law school. These were the names that were tossed around the most often, with very high regard.

I recently confirmed with a partner at Loeb that they don't have summers, only 3L hires. However, it is certainly a great place to do entertainment.

Ah, is your original question in the context of scoring a full-time job, or a SA? If it is an SA, then go to the best ranked practice in LA, then see if you can go over to Loeb & Loeb as a 3L. If you are dead set on entertainment law there is really not a better large firm to do it at. They have a full service entertainment group whereas many firms that say they have an entertainment group actually only have labor & employment + intellectual property + corporate lawyers informally clustered together to create an "entertainment" group.

OP here. The goal is to get a full-time job. I would love to work at Loeb & Loeb, but I was under the impression that they only took laterals. Does 3L hiring mean that I would interview during a 3L OCI period? I would definitely be interested in something like that if it were possible.

[hungryjumps]

OP here. The goal is to get a full-time job. I would love to work at Loeb & Loeb, but I was under the impression that they only took laterals. Does 3L hiring mean that I would interview during a 3L OCI period? I would definitely be interested in something like that if it were possible.

If you are at CLS then I recall reading a thread a while back that Loeb & Loeb actually shows up at OCI: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=118050

Of course, their hiring practices might have changed, but at least that indicates that they were willing to take 3Ls in 2010, when the hiring market was horrific. Not sure whether Loeb & Loeb actually shows up to your school's OCI, but you mentioned talking to a partner. When you're out here in LA for your SA, you should probably meet up with the Loeb partner for an informational interview/ coffee to really drive home your interest in the firm.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. The goal is to get a full-time job. I would love to work at Loeb & Loeb, but I was under the impression that they only took laterals. Does 3L hiring mean that I would interview during a 3L OCI period? I would definitely be interested in something like that if it were possible.

If you are at CLS then I recall reading a thread a while back that Loeb & Loeb actually shows up at OCI: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=118050

Of course, their hiring practices might have changed, but at least that indicates that they were willing to take 3Ls in 2010, when the hiring market was horrific. Not sure whether Loeb & Loeb actually shows up to your school's OCI, but you mentioned talking to a partner. When you're out here in LA for your SA, you should probably meet up with the Loeb partner for an informational interview/ coffee to really drive home your interest in the firm.

I am indeed at CLS. They're not coming to EIP this year, but I'll reach out to their recruiting and see what their hiring model is like these days. I really appreciate the advice.

[hungryjumps]

I am indeed at CLS. They're not coming to EIP this year, but I'll reach out to their recruiting and see what their hiring model is like these days. I really appreciate the advice.

Got it. Good luck! Would be very cool if you ended up there. Good on you for starting to think about this so early in the process!

[Anonymous User]

Thanks, yeah I've looked at those. I guess my question is whether it would be better to start out doing transactional at somewhere like Latham or try to weasel my way into an entertainment group at a lower ranked firm like Sheppard or Manatt. The ultimate goal is to go in-house.

Also, you have my exact career goals. I'm just slightly worse school, haha

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say that even if you don't and entertainment right out, you can still get it eventually. My cousin went from stb NY to an entertainment boutique in LA. She wasn't able to get entertainment through oci so just did trans work at the big firm and was able to lateral. She said it was hard but not impossible if willing to take pay cut and demonstrate strong interest in the field. Ymmv obviously but there's one anecdote.

Also to be clear the point of this post is to say that if u can't get enteryainment straight out, go to a big very good firm. She said that resume line did her a lot of good b/c entertainment is basically just normal contract trans law

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say that even if you don't and entertainment right out, you can still get it eventually. My cousin went from stb NY to an entertainment boutique in LA. She wasn't able to get entertainment through oci so just did trans work at the big firm and was able to lateral. She said it was hard but not impossible if willing to take pay cut and demonstrate strong interest in the field. Ymmv obviously but there's one anecdote.

Also to be clear the point of this post is to say that if u can't get enteryainment straight out, go to a big very good firm. She said that resume line did her a lot of good b/c entertainment is basically just normal contract trans law

Great, thanks! If I can't get pure entertainment straight out the gate the plan is to do transactional at GDC/Latham, so your anecdote is very much appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say that even if you don't and entertainment right out, you can still get it eventually. My cousin went from stb NY to an entertainment boutique in LA. She wasn't able to get entertainment through oci so just did trans work at the big firm and was able to lateral. She said it was hard but not impossible if willing to take pay cut and demonstrate strong interest in the field. Ymmv obviously but there's one anecdote.

Also to be clear the point of this post is to say that if u can't get enteryainment straight out, go to a big very good firm. She said that resume line did her a lot of good b/c entertainment is basically just normal contract trans law

This is credited. I've spoken with a partner at one of themain entertainment boutiques who said they did not hire out of law school. He said the most common move was to lateral from a firm like GDC or OMM after having some solid training and a bit of exposure to entertainment. GDC and OMM both have CC offices which handle a lot of ent work.

Does anyone know what Loeb & Loeb pay scale is like? Or what it's like at any of the ent boutiques?

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say that even if you don't and entertainment right out, you can still get it eventually. My cousin went from stb NY to an entertainment boutique in LA. She wasn't able to get entertainment through oci so just did trans work at the big firm and was able to lateral. She said it was hard but not impossible if willing to take pay cut and demonstrate strong interest in the field. Ymmv obviously but there's one anecdote.

Also to be clear the point of this post is to say that if u can't get enteryainment straight out, go to a big very good firm. She said that resume line did her a lot of good b/c entertainment is basically just normal contract trans law

This is credited. I've spoken with a partner at one of themain entertainment boutiques who said they did not hire out of law school. He said the most common move was to lateral from a firm like GDC or OMM after having some solid training and a bit of exposure to entertainment. GDC and OMM both have CC offices which handle a lot of ent work.

Does anyone know what Loeb & Loeb pay scale is like? Or what it's like at any of the ent boutiques?

For what it's worth I talked to a GDC associate recently who said the CC office generally won't hire right out of law school.

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say that even if you don't and entertainment right out, you can still get it eventually. My cousin went from stb NY to an entertainment boutique in LA. She wasn't able to get entertainment through oci so just did trans work at the big firm and was able to lateral. She said it was hard but not impossible if willing to take pay cut and demonstrate strong interest in the field. Ymmv obviously but there's one anecdote.

Also to be clear the point of this post is to say that if u can't get enteryainment straight out, go to a big very good firm. She said that resume line did her a lot of good b/c entertainment is basically just normal contract trans law

This is credited. I've spoken with a partner at one of themain entertainment boutiques who said they did not hire out of law school. He said the most common move was to lateral from a firm like GDC or OMM after having some solid training and a bit of exposure to entertainment. GDC and OMM both have CC offices which handle a lot of ent work.

Does anyone know what Loeb & Loeb pay scale is like? Or what it's like at any of the ent boutiques?

For what it's worth I talked to a GDC associate recently who said the CC office generally won't hire right out of law school.

This is true as well. Few years downtown then lateral. OMM will but I wouldn't want to be going there now if I were me.

[Anonymous User]

Just wanted to say that even if you don't and entertainment right out, you can still get it eventually. My cousin went from stb NY to an entertainment boutique in LA. She wasn't able to get entertainment through oci so just did trans work at the big firm and was able to lateral. She said it was hard but not impossible if willing to take pay cut and demonstrate strong interest in the field. Ymmv obviously but there's one anecdote.

Also to be clear the point of this post is to say that if u can't get enteryainment straight out, go to a big very good firm. She said that resume line did her a lot of good b/c entertainment is basically just normal contract trans law

This is credited. I've spoken with a partner at one of themain entertainment boutiques who said they did not hire out of law school. He said the most common move was to lateral from a firm like GDC or OMM after having some solid training and a bit of exposure to entertainment. GDC and OMM both have CC offices which handle a lot of ent work.

Does anyone know what Loeb & Loeb pay scale is like? Or what it's like at any of the ent boutiques?

For what it's worth I talked to a GDC associate recently who said the CC office generally won't hire right out of law school.

This is true as well. Few years downtown then lateral. OMM will but I wouldn't want to be going there now if I were me.

Would you mind elaborating? I've been heavily considering OMM CC as one of my top picks, any info would be VERY much appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

This is credited. I've spoken with a partner at one of themain entertainment boutiques who said they did not hire out of law school. He said the most common move was to lateral from a firm like GDC or OMM after having some solid training and a bit of exposure to entertainment. GDC and OMM both have CC offices which handle a lot of ent work.

Does anyone know what Loeb & Loeb pay scale is like? Or what it's like at any of the ent boutiques?

For what it's worth I talked to a GDC associate recently who said the CC office generally won't hire right out of law school.

This is true as well. Few years downtown then lateral. OMM will but I wouldn't want to be going there now if I were me.

Would you mind elaborating? I've been heavily considering OMM CC as one of my top picks, any info would be VERY much appreciated.

This is all you need: http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202651707044

Again, does anyone have any idea about pay at Loeb or boutiques?

[Anonymous User]

Here's Loeb...looks like lockstep to me

http://www.nalpdirectory.com/employer_p ... loeb%22%7D

[Anonymous User]

This is all you need: http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202651707044

Again, does anyone have any idea about pay at Loeb or boutiques?

Do you think is enough of a reason not to go for their entertainment group? It seems like their entertainment group is the only biglaw group where you can start right out of LS. Anyone know about Sheppard Mullin/Akin Gump/Manatt?

[Anonymous User]

This is all you need: http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202651707044

Again, does anyone have any idea about pay at Loeb or boutiques?

Do you think is enough of a reason not to go for their entertainment group? It seems like their entertainment group is the only biglaw group where you can start right out of LS. Anyone know about Sheppard Mullin/Akin Gump/Manatt?

I won't say don't go. But it is a red flag that's worth noting. They had an abysmal year.

ETA: this I cannot confirm, but I have also heard the CC office is a sweatshop. Hearsay.

[Anonymous User]

This is all you need: http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202651707044

Again, does anyone have any idea about pay at Loeb or boutiques?

Do you think is enough of a reason not to go for their entertainment group? It seems like their entertainment group is the only biglaw group where you can start right out of LS. Anyone know about Sheppard Mullin/Akin Gump/Manatt?

I won't say don't go. But it is a red flag that's worth noting. They had an abysmal year.

ETA: this I cannot confirm, but I have also heard the CC office is a sweatshop. Hearsay.

Yeah I've heard the same...it's just tough when entertainment is a big reason I went to law school and what seems to be one of the best options has so many negatives.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insight as to what it's like to work at Loeb & Loeb?

Seems to be a black box and I can't find much on TLS.

[Yukos]

This is all you need: http://www.americanlawyer.com/id=1202651707044

Again, does anyone have any idea about pay at Loeb or boutiques?

Do you think is enough of a reason not to go for their entertainment group? It seems like their entertainment group is the only biglaw group where you can start right out of LS. Anyone know about Sheppard Mullin/Akin Gump/Manatt?

I won't say don't go. But it is a red flag that's worth noting. They had an abysmal year.

ETA: this I cannot confirm, but I have also heard the CC office is a sweatshop. Hearsay.

Yeah I've heard the same...it's just tough when entertainment is a big reason I went to law school and what seems to be one of the best options has so many negatives.

I've heard Skadden, Latham, OMM CC, GDC, Irell, MTO, QE and Susman called sweatshops. Doesn't leave much choice in LA.

[bnghle234]

bumping this post. does anyone have any recommendations for firms to aim for at OCI for 2L SA positions?