What to Expect if You Want to Become an Entertainment Lawyer
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Entertainment law is an exciting field in which lawyers represent individuals or groups in various areas of the entertainment industry, including music, television, and film. If you’re interested in celebrities but don’t want to be in the spotlight yourself, entertainment law may be the perfect career field for you. Here’s what you need to know about becoming an entertainment lawyer.
Job Description
A typical day as an entertainment lawyer would include protecting your clients’ creative projects from copyright infringement, negotiating contracts to make sure that your clients are fairly compensated for their work, and helping your clients to understand other important legal matters. For example, attorney John Branca, who has represented world-renowned musicians such as Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, and The Rolling Stones, explained that he helped Jackson sue someone who accused him of misconduct. This is just one example of the many responsibilities that come with being an entertainment lawyer.
Career Path
If you’re interested in becoming an entertainment lawyer, you would need to earn both a bachelor’s and law degree. Once you’ve joined your state bar association, you’re ready to begin practicing entertainment law. However, you’ll most likely need to gain experience through internships and networking before you can land a job as an entertainment lawyer. Being exposed to the field is a great way to get your feet wet and form strong connections with mentors in the entertainment industry, who can provide you with guidance along your journey. Keep in mind that traits such as enthusiasm, compassion, and strong communication skills can greatly benefit you in pursuing a career in entertainment law.
Job Outlook
There’s no time like the present to become an entertainment lawyer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entertainment law is projected to grow at a higher-than-average rate of 10 percent over the next decade. As long as there’s revenue coming from television, film, and music, entertainment law will remain a popular field.
Salary
Entertainment law is a lucrative field, with an average annual salary of about $117,000. However, you have the opportunity to earn more depending on the number of clients you have. Because entertainment lawyers receive a percentage of money from contracts they draw up for their clients, more clients translates to more revenue. Furthermore, factors such as the number of years in practice can increase your yearly salary.
Entertainment law is a rewarding field that’ll allow you to work one-on-one with famous musicians, directors, and songwriters. If you’re interested in breaking into the industry, use this guide to help you get started.