HEY TLS! I want to get into entertainment law. I've worked in the music industry (music festivals/musician/management), film industry (commercials/television) and print (journalist/associate publisher of city wide magazine).
My dream is to work in New York City or in L.A. but I do not live in either of those cities.
I'd love to hear from people who work in entertainment law:
A) How did you get there? What classes did you take 2L/3L that were helpful, if any? What did you do in Undergrad? What jobs did you have before/during/after law school?
B) Do you love it? Why?
C) Are you banking hard or hardly banking?
ENTERTAINMENT LAW Forum
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SFSpartan
- Posts: 686
- Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 10:01 pm
Re: ENTERTAINMENT LAW
I'll bite. Current 3L working at (and with an offer from) my firm's corporate and entertainment practice. About 1/2 of my work is entertainment, and about 1/2 is startup stuff. Since I'm not in NY/LA, my experience may be a bit unusual.
A. I pretty much lucked into it. I was interested in startup/VC work, and the firm I got my 1L summer job with also had a fair amount of entertainment work. I found that I work well with the partner running the practice, and that I get along well with the clients. Did international relations and political theory in college, so nothing really prepped me for this. That said, having prior experience in the industry where the firm has work (i.e. music, film, etc.) seems to be helpful in recruiting.
As far as coursework, a Copyright class is essential. I took a Digital Media class that was super helpful, as that seems to be where the industry is moving. I didn't take Entertainment Law, but I imagine that would be helpful. More than the coursework, though, there's a 5 or 6 volume treatise on entertainment law that's available through Lexis. That can give you good exposure to different facets of the business.
B. There are things I love and things I don't. I don't have much exposure to the negotiation component of it, since I'm still in LS, but that seems interesting. Drafting gets a bit boring after a while. That said, film work is really fast paced, and the entertainment work comes heavy at times of the year when startup/VC stuff tends to be light, so I'm always busy. Overall, I really enjoy my job, as the deals move quickly, and there is always something new to do.
C. Assuming you mean working hard, or hardly working, the former. Work has been super heavy thus far this year.
A. I pretty much lucked into it. I was interested in startup/VC work, and the firm I got my 1L summer job with also had a fair amount of entertainment work. I found that I work well with the partner running the practice, and that I get along well with the clients. Did international relations and political theory in college, so nothing really prepped me for this. That said, having prior experience in the industry where the firm has work (i.e. music, film, etc.) seems to be helpful in recruiting.
As far as coursework, a Copyright class is essential. I took a Digital Media class that was super helpful, as that seems to be where the industry is moving. I didn't take Entertainment Law, but I imagine that would be helpful. More than the coursework, though, there's a 5 or 6 volume treatise on entertainment law that's available through Lexis. That can give you good exposure to different facets of the business.
B. There are things I love and things I don't. I don't have much exposure to the negotiation component of it, since I'm still in LS, but that seems interesting. Drafting gets a bit boring after a while. That said, film work is really fast paced, and the entertainment work comes heavy at times of the year when startup/VC stuff tends to be light, so I'm always busy. Overall, I really enjoy my job, as the deals move quickly, and there is always something new to do.
C. Assuming you mean working hard, or hardly working, the former. Work has been super heavy thus far this year.
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Anonymous User
- Posts: 432016
- Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:32 am
Re: ENTERTAINMENT LAW
I work in a large entertainment/media boutique with a strong emphasis on advertising. When most people think of "Entertainment Law" they think of talent representation, but i would strongly encourage those interested in entertainment work to consider the advertising side of the practice.
My work is very broad and touches on a lot of interesting areas normally associated with standard "entertainment," including negotiating talent agreements and music licenses, and assisting with production of ad campaigns from concept to execution. For those who want a broader practice, the advertising element also includes some regulatory work (FTC compliance) and general counseling (reviewing advertising copy for substantiation and IP clearance). Obviously there is a strong emphasis on copyright and trademark work.
To answer your specific questions:
A) How did you get there? What classes did you take 2L/3L that were helpful, if any? What did you do in Undergrad? What jobs did you have before/during/after law school?
I got here through networking, 100%. Wouldn't have had this job if I hadn't made strong connection at the firm and maintained an interest.
I have a background in the entertainment industry, both as a performer and on the business side, so that helped for sure.
classes: definitely take copyright and trademark, and if possible a contract drafting class. I also really regret not taking first amendment.
B) Do you love it? Why?
Absolutely. Honestly what I love most about it is the breadth of the work - i love having a mix of transactional, regulatory, litigation and counseling work. it definitely leans more to the transactional side, though. I also love being involved in a campaign from beginning to end and addressing all of the issues that come up. and I prefer seeing my work product on TV than on page C15 of the WSJ, but thats just a personal preference.
C) Are you banking hard or hardly banking?
I don't work nearly as much as my biglaw contemporaries, but i do juggle a lot of concurrent matters, which can be stressful and can lead to some crazy nights.
My work is very broad and touches on a lot of interesting areas normally associated with standard "entertainment," including negotiating talent agreements and music licenses, and assisting with production of ad campaigns from concept to execution. For those who want a broader practice, the advertising element also includes some regulatory work (FTC compliance) and general counseling (reviewing advertising copy for substantiation and IP clearance). Obviously there is a strong emphasis on copyright and trademark work.
To answer your specific questions:
A) How did you get there? What classes did you take 2L/3L that were helpful, if any? What did you do in Undergrad? What jobs did you have before/during/after law school?
I got here through networking, 100%. Wouldn't have had this job if I hadn't made strong connection at the firm and maintained an interest.
I have a background in the entertainment industry, both as a performer and on the business side, so that helped for sure.
classes: definitely take copyright and trademark, and if possible a contract drafting class. I also really regret not taking first amendment.
B) Do you love it? Why?
Absolutely. Honestly what I love most about it is the breadth of the work - i love having a mix of transactional, regulatory, litigation and counseling work. it definitely leans more to the transactional side, though. I also love being involved in a campaign from beginning to end and addressing all of the issues that come up. and I prefer seeing my work product on TV than on page C15 of the WSJ, but thats just a personal preference.
C) Are you banking hard or hardly banking?
I don't work nearly as much as my biglaw contemporaries, but i do juggle a lot of concurrent matters, which can be stressful and can lead to some crazy nights.
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