Want to make the jump to entertainment law. Currently a 3rd year working in L&E defense. I network heavily, so I can meet the right people at some point. But what’s my edge? Any books I should read ?? (Live in LA)

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

What area of entertainment law are you trying to get into (e.g., music, tv/film)? Given your current background, you’d be great in tv/film and learning about the various guilds (SAG, WGA, DGA, etc.). But it really depends what you’re trying to do at the end of the day.

As far as books go, I recommend the following:
- The Business of Television (Ken Basin)
- All You Need to Know about the Music Business (Don Passman)
- Hollywood Dealmaking (Mark Litwak)

Good luck on all your endeavors!

like

Ok thanks. I will add these to my list. Currently reading Ken Basin’s book. Was recommended by a talent side attorney I met. Regarding L&E, I like it, but it’s like your second favorite tv show. You rather be watching something else. (In this case, doing transactional work)

Start small at a boutique, take the pay cut and get the experience. Then you can call your own shots.

like

I respect that. Thanks for sharing. Experience matters at the end of day. And the cut in pay evened out later down the line.

like

Obligatory post that I think needs to be stickied in this bowl:

“Entertainment law” isn’t really a practice area, it’s an industry that various practice groups service. If you do L&E defense, it sounds like you want to do entertainment litigation (unless you want to switch to the transactional side).

There are a lot more opportunities on the transactional side in the entertainment space, but like someone above mentioned, there’s a lot of work to be done dealing with the various Hollywood guilds. If I were you, I would (1) study up on the way the guilds work, and try to
read books/articles about legal issues that pop up with them. Then, once you’re well read on the topic, you should target the LA firms that have strong L&E groups that’s device entertainment clients. I think O’Melveny and MSK come to mind.

If you want to get out of L&E and do more “entertainment litigation”, you should de use whether you think you’d like talent-side or production/studio-side representation more. A prominent talent-side firm that comes to. Hbd is Lavely & Singer. On the production/studio side, MTO, DWT, GDC, Greenberg Glusker, O’Melveny come to mind

like

Loeb & Loeb and DWT have excellent entertainment litigation practices. They both also have excellent entertainment transactional practices, which include production legal and not just M&A or other high-level deals that happen to be in the entertainment space, which I believe is what you’ll mostly find at larger shops like Proskauer or O’Melveny. I have friends at both Loeb and DWT and they love that they’re doing “core” entertainment transactional work that’s close to the content.

like

Related Posts

If you could work at an agency for the rest of your career, would you do it? Or do you see being a professional creative as a means to another career altogether?

like

What are some tips or recommendations on where to start to become a product manager? Much appreciated

like

I feel like every company lies about “working your way up.” You’re never allowed to blatantly say that you don’t like your position and you’d like to transition to HR or Finance. It’s almost as if once you get in claims, you’re stuck.

If you’re a manager and you see an employee that wants to branch out into a different department, why would you keep them boxed in for 2+ years?

Are there some background mechanics that I’m missing?

like

I’m a technical sales engineer in the building automation space. 2 years out of college. Anybody have any advice on the best way to get into the tech industry as a sales engineer? Appreciate any insights or advice

like

Hi guys, a plea for help here 🙏🏻 have any founders here gotten an O-1 visa or an H1B transfer into their startup? Would greatly appreciate hearing your advice / experience over DM

like

Hi Fishes,
I am working as a Sr Manager/Team Lead in service based industry since 10yrs, my total experience in leadership is 6 years. I want to shift my focus into product based companies. Any guidance/tips for me? Also dm if you know about any product manager roles in your sea.

Hi NatWest folks,

I got offer from NatWest Chennai location . My skills set is project management 13 years experience. They have mentioned in my offer letter B7 corporate title is associate. When I ask to hr guy he said it is equal to Manager level. But title will change department department. Is it true? B7 is manager role ? What is CDIO department in Natwest. Please clear my doubts

likefunny

Anyone here ever pull a complete 180 career change? I’m realizing I’m not very interested in exits my current position and my degree doesn’t provide too much direction either. I’m only one year out, so I feel like if there’s ever a time it’s now! Hoping to hear some success stories that inspire me to take the jump 🤗

like

Hey folks, I’m about a year into my new SE career and looking to continue to invest in professional skills. I’ve obviously been thrown into the fire learning the sales side of things, but what areas (technical skills, certs, books, etc.) you all would recommend I look to invest in? I’ve been looking at some beginner coding boot camps and scrum product owner certs, but interested in what you all have done to further advance your career

like

I am currently finishing up CFP course work. Does anyone have tips or tricks for studying for the actual exam? I am particularly concerned about the investment planning section. I have 12 plus years in the industry and CRPC. I do planning literally everyday but a test is a test and this is the module I have had the most trouble with.

like

Is TOGAF worth it? Been coding for 13 years and want to stick to coding / design work. Is it worth taking the test now?

I feel like I’ve lost myself since joining McK. My whole world has become about work. I love my job but I’m not the same person I started and I feel I don’t connect with my friends and family the way I use to. I’m not sure if I’ve grown, or lost a part of myself. Is this growing up or do I need to make a career change?

likehelpful

How did you go about finding a therapist and/or coach to support you in your career transition? What value did they add, what would you do same/different if you had the time again and any other tips?

like

Is it worth making the time/money investment to make the switch from big 4 FDD to MBB. This would require getting into and paying for a top MBA program and my net worth would be way negative after that. Are the MBB financial returns worth it? Im 26 years old for reference

like

At what point does the value of a degree fall off? I'm in my early 30s, and have five years of experience, and work on a very theoretically interesting project. I believe I'm on track to promotion in the next year. So, I could put in a year of full time school to check the box off, but I'd be sacrificing hobbies and social life (not to mention cost). Is this FOMO or is there real opportunity here?

like

Is anyone volunteering with local campaigns? If so, how have you made it work with a busy career?

Has anyone done the GARP Financial Risk and Regulation course? Was it educational? Did you do the FRM after?

Any Spotify people here? Noticed there’s an AM role going at the moment in the UK but not sure what experience level it is. For reference I’ve got 6 years in ad sales experience with 3 years management (both in music industry). Would this be comfortable or is it worth holding out for AD?

like

Hi Team,
Need your inputs. Is stability more important than the opportunity?

I have an opportunity to explore how ever it's been only 6 months in current organization.

Can I take the offer and switch? Does it affect the stability?

Please help.

like

Hi fellow ZSers
Can anyone help me understand if there's a provision of moving from ZS India to ZS UK role?
If yes, what should be my approach?
I joined ZS 3 months back and would really appreciate the help!

like

More Posts

Recently, the CEO and my boss, the VP gave me the latitude to promote myself and "write my own" job description. I've been the Marketing Manager of this company for about 7 months. Already received 1 raise.

Much of the work in my "new" job description, I've already been doing. My currently salary is $70K. New title is Director of Communications and Systems Integration. What is a reasonable salary increase here.

I have about 7 years experience in this area.

like

Do you consider your in-laws family? For example, if your spouse’s sibling has children, do you consider those kids as your family or your spouse’s family?

like
likefunny

Anyone working in. Hexaware as a data scientist ?

like

Are hackathons still relevant after college for profile building?

Hi everyone, I'm a fresher with a 6 months experience in analytics. Could anyone refer me for any analytics vacancies in your organisations ?

My skills : Python, SQL, Tableau, PowerBI, Adobe Analytics, Microstrategy, ML

like

I am to interview with CTS for Product owner/ manager. Any specific things I should watch out for? Interviewing for Duckcreek. What’s the salary range I can expect?

like

What does the Tax Reporting & Strategy Deals team at PwC do? Do they have busy seasons or all year round busy? What’s the pay like compared to other tax specialties such as general compliance or M&A? Thanks in advance.

like

Hi,
I got an offer from
Wipro for an HRO Lead Programmer analyst(B3 band) Alight account. Can I have any suggestions regarding this account and position?
Wipro

like

Hi All,
How's the job security at Accenture as such? I know that last year, they sacked people ruthlessly and now are facing a resource crunch. Also that they mandatorily place poor performers in PIP.

But how is it in general? Should I perform as per expectation, can I be relaxed about the job security aspect or do you always need to be on your toes?

like

Hi Fishes,


Could anyone please provide me referral for Business Analyst in Reliance Jio.

TIA

like

Anyone up ? 😉

like
like

SAP sharks, whats the maximum salary we can expect at T2.3 band. Also , can someone let me k now what does T2.3 band signify.SAP

like
like

Anyone from FCB?

My annual perf discussion is monday morning. I work on a tough team for a tough place. I think Im a pretty good/almost high performer but only around 3 years and my boss seems to still act like I’m brand new (lifer boomer). I try to tell myself he has 6 direct reports and has to do this with everyone, Im no more or no less special - but I hate these convos and negative feedback even when most of it is unsurprising/fair feedback. Any tips? Just need to get through it! HR people are not immune!

like

Additional Posts in Entertainment Law

I’m interested in learning about people’s paths to working in the industry - have most people done law adjacent jobs to get to where they are today? Thanks in advance!

Hi, what questions would you suggest someone ask an in-house or boutique firm entertainment attorney during an informational interview??

like

Might have an interview with the legal team at a studio. Junior role, TV production, 0-3 years experience, I have about 1 year. What skills/qualities should I highlight? And what makes a good in-house lawyer?

like

Would anyone in either in house or a firm in LA or NY be willing to chat with me for informational purposes? I’m currently in big law in corporate and looking to transition to entertainment and would love to learn more about people’s paths to their current positions / day to day in the entertainment industry. I don’t know anyone in the field so would appreciate any insight before I go full steam ahead. Thanks so much!

like

Will I be creating conflicts of interest by mass prosecuting copyright registrations? in theory, If I registered copyrights for a ton of people I wouldn’t create any conflicts if they aren’t related

like

If your on the new app Clubhouse - drop your @ or dm it! Lot of meaningful entertainment industry discussions going on!!!

like

I’m a new patent prosecution associate and unfortunately only just now realized that maybe prosecuting patents isn’t something I want to do long term. I loved copyright (and trademark) in law school, but I have loans to pay off. Should I stick it out in my current role to pay them off before I jump ship to a new practice area or will I be pigeonholed forever to patents if I stay here for 2-3 years?

like

Any advice on how to break into the entertainment law industry in SoCal?

like

General question, and I suspect the answer is no. Are there any employment or exec comp-related jobs in the entertainment industry? Or, are there any law firms purely focused on entertainment that have a comp/employment/benefits group? I’m at a large firm with a lot of high profile artists, but I’d like to narrow my practice down to entertainment.

like

How can I transition into entertainment law from work comp?

like

Any entertainment law opportunities in DC? I’m currently in LA practicing in the industry, but all my family is back on the east coast.

like

I just interviewed for a business affairs manager/entertainment lawyer position. No prior experience in this area, previously have worked in insurance law and M&A. Any insight into the field, pros and cons of the job etc?

like

Any recommendations for entertainment law groups for networking in NYC?

like

Does anyone know of a boutique or mid size firm hiring for an entertainment attorney in Atlanta, GA area?

like

Anyone know a good auditing firm for music royalties?

like

For NBCUniversal Media! Can anyone enlighten me on the current WFH/hybrid situation at NBCUniversal? Also, any perks that are beneficial if working for the company? Would be an immense help!

like

This might be extremely niche, but does anyone here work on content acquisition/production for a streaming service, studio or platform? If so, what kinds of resources or trade groups do you find helpful? I’d really love to connect with other lawyers in this field and talk shop or host panels related to this area of law.

like

How are people networking in the entertainment law space during covid? Mainly curious about the music industry.

like
like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal