RE Law and Entertainment Law Forum

[CordeliusX]

These 2 seem the most interesting to me, but it's probably just the pop culture glamour seeping into my brain.

I am curious which schools are good for both and what career prospects are like.

RE Law seems to be a branch where you could potentially switch careers or lead a double career as an RE investor. Any thoughts on these?

[RVP11]

Re: career prospects. The real estate market is in the shitter and you're probably not the only guy who likes Entourage. Do the math.

[bconly]

The schools in LA are the best for entertainment. I'm sure the NY schools are fine as well.

[CordeliusX]

Re: career prospects. The real estate market is in the shitter and you're probably not the only guy who likes Entourage. Do the math.

True but the market is bound to recover... I think

Seriously, somebody has to do these jobs. Might as well be you or I.

Anyone know resources/guides about both these career fields?

[macattaq]

Depends on what aspect of entertainment law you're interested in. Generally speaking, your best bet may be to seek out local organizations that handle the types of issues you think you want to be involved in. Also, seek out attorneys who do what you think you want to do. See if you can intern for them, or just meet them for coffee and pick their brains. Most people (attorneys included) like to talk about themselves, so you should be able to get some valuable insight.

Coincidentally, I spoke with an attorney yesterday who is counsel for a very prominent and influential electronic producer. He said that getting any form of experience in the area you like will be beneficial, and doing an internship is most likely the best way to do this. The law you learn in school will probably be general, and it doesn't seem like venturing solely into IP law while disregarding business law is a good idea. If you're more interested in the IP side of entertainment (which is what we discussed), then check with Stanford's Fair Use clinic and look into an internship there. Or, check with Cal-Berkeley to see what they have on offer. You can also look into the RIAA, ASCAP, and other regulatory bodies. Off the top of my head, for more A&R/management type things, check with UCLA and USC, although UCLA is better from what I've heard. See if they offer clinics in the areas you like. You may be able to get a summer internship or possibly a paid position (but you may want to check with your school to see if you can do an externship, get credit, and have your expenses covered via loans).

From what I've gathered, this is absolutely an area where you have to hustle to find openings. Everyone likes entertainment of some form, and there are plenty of people who aren't able to turn their passion for some form of art into a career but who can combine that passion with the law. So you've really got to be willing to do the shitty, unpaid work to get your foot in the door and make those contacts.

[ScaredWorkedBored]

Any law school teaches real estate law and business transactions classes. There's your real estate law education.

Entertainment law - this is like being a sports agent. If you want to make any money representing talent as an entertainment lawyer (not necessarily as an agent; agent is a defined licensed term in California & New York that is not the same as attorney), know the talent first. There is no substitute.

If you want to work in the corporate part of an entertainment company - good school, do well, go to firm that does outside counsel work for entertainment company. At least have some understanding of copyright. USC & UCLA certainly wouldn't hurt considering where the industry is based.

If you want to just be a wheeler-dealer, you can be an agent or a manager for "talent" without having a law degree of any kind. And frankly, because of how easily lawyers can create attorney-client relationships without trying, I would not *want* to be an attorney wearing one of those other hats. It's also suicidal to incur three years of law school tuition and living expense debt and then try to go the mailroom route at a major agency - unless you are independently wealthy. You'll be making grocery clerk wages in one of the most expensive cities in the world with $1000+/month loan payments to boot. If you see someone going that route, they have some sort of significant outside support.

[General Tso]

Re: career prospects. The real estate market is in the shitter and you're probably not the only guy who likes Entourage. Do the math.

Yeah..great advice. Choose your 40 year career path based on a 5 year trend.

People don't really understand much about jobs in real estate. They assume that oh prices are tanking! = no jobs in real estate. For most real estate professionals the real thing to look at is sales volumes. If you are doing title work or conveyances or something, you will still have some volume to work through even now. Even some agents/brokers are doing okay right now selling foreclosures. Sure the volumes are down somewhat right now but it's not like the field has been completely obliterated.

[RVP11]

Every firm I've heard of has cut jobs in their RE practice group. OP asked about career prospects in RE law. I assumed he is curious about current career prospects in the area - they aren't so hot right now.

[General Tso]

Every firm I've heard of has cut jobs in their RE practice group. OP asked about career prospects in RE law. I assumed he is curious about current career prospects in the area - they aren't so hot right now.

I'm sure firms have cut jobs from each of their practice groups. In any event, some of the hottest litigation issues right now deal with ARM adjustments and foreclosures.

What currently hot area of law would you suggest OP to pursue?

[reasonable_man]

Allow me to take a moment to laugh.... Thank you.

[macattaq]

Every firm I've heard of has cut jobs in their RE practice group. OP asked about career prospects in RE law. I assumed he is curious about current career prospects in the area - they aren't so hot right now.

I'm sure firms have cut jobs from each of their practice groups. In any event, some of the hottest litigation issues right now deal with ARM adjustments and foreclosures.

What currently hot area of law would you suggest OP to pursue?

I would not look to "currently hot" as a reason to focus on something. Look at the economy, and then you can see what is currently hot and why. Better to look at things that people absolutely need, and that won't be going away. Or look to areas that need to be litigated. For example, things people will always seek out: tax law, estate planning. Areas to be litigated: things to do with the internet.

@Reasonable: ?

[john titor]

entertainment lawyers are just contract/business lawyers who have entertainers as clients. it's kind of a faux specialty. it's not the kind of work you break into, it's the kind of work that falls into the laps of a lucky few. you could try to get a mailroom job in a big agency (and yes, jds and jd/mbas start in the mailroom in these types of places), but you would also have to know someone there.