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0 Becoming an entertainment lawyer takes a lot of dedication and hard work. But if you have the passion and drive, it’s possible to break into this specialized field. There are a number of steps involved in becoming an entertainment lawyer, including obtaining the right educational qualifications and gaining expertise in the industry. Here are some tips to help you on your way to becoming one of these highly sought-after professionals.
1. Get your education:
To become an entertainment lawyer, you must have a law degree from an accredited university or college, preferably with a specialisation in entertainment law. Most universities offer courses in intellectual property, copyright and other related topics that can help prepare you to become an entertainment lawyer. Consider taking courses outside of school, such as music business seminars or internships with music production companies.
2. Take the bar exam:
After completing your undergraduate degree and law school education, it is important for potential attorneys to pass the bar exam, which is administered by each state’s Board of Legal Examiners, in order to practice law in that state’s jurisdiction. Be sure to research which exams are required in your area before registering for the exam so that you can properly prepare for this step in becoming an entertainment lawyer.
3. Gain experience in the field:
Working for companies that deal with media/entertainment contracts or providing legal advice on recording contracts is essential when trying to become an entertainment lawyer, as it will provide valuable experience in understanding how contracts work in this industry and what needs to be done legally when negotiating agreements between parties. It’s also beneficial to find ways to network within the industry through organisations such as Music Biz or NARIP (National Association Of Record Industry Professionals), which can lead to additional job opportunities down the line.
4. Consider joining a professional organisation:
There are several professional organisations specifically designed to help those who wish to become practising lawyers specialising in media/entertainment law, such as the National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences’ Legal Affairs Committee or the American Bar Association’s Forum On Entertainment & Sports Industries Group (ESIG). Joining one of these groups can give you access to resources and information about upcoming events that could help you further your career prospects in the field – not only for networking, but also to gain insight into current trends and developments within the legal aspects that specifically affect the media/entertainment industry today!
5 . Take additional courses:
Taking additional courses directly related to the media/entertainment industry and its related legal aspects is another way to expand on the knowledge you’ve already gained through formal education, while also providing credibility when applying for positions later down the line, such as “How Copyright Works” offered by Harvard Extension School, or UCLA Extension’s “Entertainment Law Clinic” course – both online options specifically designed for individuals who want more specialised training directly geared towards helping them become qualified entertainment lawyers one day soon!
6 . Become licensed to practice law:
Once all the educational requirements have been met, applicants must pass their respective state’s bar exam before they can be admitted to practice law in the media/entertainment industry, should they choose this route after graduation. This means studying diligently for months beforehand, so that by exam day, extensive knowledge of the local laws governing these areas will be second nature!
7 . Seek out mentoring opportunities:
Before embarking on full-time practice, aspiring lawyers should take advantage of mentorship programmes offered either by the universities themselves or by third party associations such as Women In Media, where students learn first-hand from experienced professionals currently working in their respective fields through workshops, panel discussions, etc. This helps to broaden perspectives even further, while also bringing interns closer to landing dream jobs afterwards!
8 . Keep abreast of relevant news and developments:
With technology evolving rapidly these days, it is vital to keep abreast of relevant news that affects public opinion or government regulations in the media/entertainment industry, which lawyers are heavily involved in! It pays to be informed, as new laws passed on copyright infringement may change what was previously acceptable behaviour to what is now punishable under revised statutes, preventing costly mistakes in representing clients simply due to a lack of foresight!
By following these steps carefully, anyone interested in becoming a successful entertainment lawyer will have everything necessary laid out to make strides towards realising their dreams one day soon!
