How to Become an Entertainment Lawyer
Becoming a lawyer is difficult in itself, but you've decided you want to specialize. Specializing in a niche market is a good idea if you are in a stable place in your life and plan to be in a particular area for the long term. Entertainment law involves representing famous people, negotiating contracts, and protecting intellectual property rights among other endeavors. Here is how to get started.
Instructions
-
-
1
Go to law school in the geographic area that has a lot of people who will need entertainment lawyers. People you meet today will play a role in your future later. Go to law school in Los Angeles at UCLA, USC, and other smaller schools near L.A. Go to law schools in New York City if you are interested in more theater entertainment law. Go to law school near Nashville or Memphis if you are interested in Country music entertainment. Go to law school near the action.
-
2
Do internships in the entertainment field. Choose a law firm which represents people in the entertainment field. Get exposure to the different entertainment law veins while at the firm. Do internships at large production companies. Do an internship with Disney, MGM, or other companies with the in house council. Get an idea from your internship what an entertainment lawyer is and what she does.
-
-
3
Study and take the bar in the right state. Choose to study where you intend to practice law. Take the BarBri and Primbri bar review courses. If you choose California or New York, be prepared to take the bar exam multiple times since these are the two hardest state bar exams. Don't get down if you don't pass it the first time. Remember all those "A" students in law school are statistically not the ones making all the money. It's the "C" students who prosper, so keep trying.
-
4
Get a job with an entertainment lawyer. Work alongside someone who is in the field. Learn all you can. If you need to take a job filing papers, do it. Get your foot in the door. Meet people in the industry and make contacts. Move your way up after you pass the bar exam. Enjoy!
-
1