It seems as though there is a type of lawyer for just about anything these days. Our global society has evolved to the point where it can be very challenging to do anything without a lawyer. There are bankruptcy lawyers, immigration lawyers, adoption lawyers, accident lawyers, divorce lawyers, land use attorneys; the list goes on and on. Even if we don't know it, lawyers are involved in our everyday lives. Did you watch television last night? Did you listen to the radio on your way to work this morning? What was the last book you read? Did your kids play video games this summer while on break? If so, you've been exposed to part of the rule of law that deals with entertainment. Without Entertainment Law, many of the bands you rock out to, movies you watch again and again, and books you can't put down are a successful result of the fascinating world of Entertainment Law. Entertainment Law covers a broad area in the entertainment industry that involves all types of media, from TV, film, publishing, music, advertising, digital and creative media, radio, etc. It covers an even wider range of legal fields, including but not limited to, labor law, employment law, bankruptcy law, corporate law, finance law, intellectual property, publicity and privacy, and most importantly, the right to free speech in the First Amendment. Much of the work in Entertainment Law involves drafting contracts, negotiating contracts, mediation, litigation and arbitration. As media has become more and more widespread, Entertainment Law has become a popular field of choice for students of law, offering a chance to work in the entertainment industry and potentially gain some famous clients along the way. Entertainment Law is a very engaging field of law. Without it, some of our favorite avenues of entertainment may not even exist. So, the next time you're sitting in front of your TV with that big bowl of popcorn, you can thank an Entertainment Lawyer for negotiating the right contract for everyone involved in that production.

There may eventually come a time in your life when you'll need a lawyer. When purchasing property, sometimes you need a Land Use Lawyer.

If you're involved in a serious accident, you may need a Personal Injury Attorney. If you're an actor or actress, a recording artist, a writer, a digital animator, a video game creator, a radio personality etc., there's a strong change you'll need to hire an Entertainment Lawyer.

This person will become an invaluable part of your career in the entertainment industry. In this article, you will learn about what an Entertainment Lawyer is and how they can help you navigate this exciting industry.To be an Entertainment Lawyer, one has to be knowledgeable in not only the entertainment industry, but also with labor laws, intellectual property, contract law, and a thorough understanding of how the entertainment industry works.

They should be able to help you navigate the industry and be aware of existing deals that are being made and who's influential and who's not.As with most employment, there is a contract signed between the employee and the employer.

An Entertainment Lawyer will go over this contract with you and assist you with the negotiations required should you need any modifications to your contract to better suit your needs and desires. Your Entertainment Lawyer should be able to draft your contract, review any contracts you may need to sign from your manager, studio, union, record label, etc., to make sure they are legal, fair and reasonable on your behalf. The right Entertainment Lawyer can get your deal done quickly and devise a contract that allows your career to grow without getting walked on.

Lastly, an Entertainment Lawyer will act as general counsel, representing you in real estate transactions, tax issues, complying with copyright laws, and even criminal cases.All lawyers have to go through a rigorous educational path and attend law school after obtaining a bachelor's degree. After finishing law school, most work at a law firm dedicated to a particular field; in this case, Entertainment Law. There are even different types of Entertainment Lawyers that specialize in different aspects of Entertainment Law, such as digital, film, music, theatre, TV and Radio, and Publishing.Should there be a point in your career where you find yourself needing guidance on the legal aspects of the entertainment industry, the right Entertainment Lawyer will be one of the most valuable weapons you'll have.

Just like any other profession out there, there are various areas in the world of entertainment law that Entertainment Lawyers can specialize in.

Below, you'll discover how diverse this area of law is and potentially what type appeals to you most if you're considering a profession in law yourself.FilmThis is a very exciting part of entertainment law.

Not only do you have the potential to interact with some of your favorite stars and other talent by devising their contracts, you also have the potential to work with the union crews and employees, handle labor negotiations, work with vendors on product placement and merchandising, copyright, trademarks and financial backing.MusicJust like film, this is also a very exciting part of entertainment law.

Not only do you have the opportunity to work with top names in the music industry, an entertainment lawyer would handle their contracts with record labels, managers, agents, concert promoters and producers, studio work, concert tours and crew issues, music licensing, copyright issues and most important, royalties.

TV & RadioTelevision and radio personalities and crew members typically have an Entertainment Lawyer handling their contracts. This contract is typically between the production studio.

There are also network agreements, such as the one your favorite show might have which keeps it coming back on season after season, distribution agreements which handle how much and where shows can be played, broadcasting licenses such as who gets the sole right to air the Olympics, and regulatory issues.

Theatre, with so many musicals productions out there such as 'Wicked,” 'The Lion King,” and 'Jersey Boys” to name a few, most of the talent and crew have skilled Entertainment Lawyers at their sides handling their contracts. There are also rental and co-production agreements, agreements with the producer of each theatre act, how ticket sales are handled, copyright and trademark issues and production liability.

Digital, digital animation, video games, and electronic media consistently evolving, this is a very fast paced and frequently challenged area of entertainment law. Contract negotiations for space and equipment, employee contracts, talent agreements, intellectual property, music use, image use and license agreements and copyright issues are common.

Lastly is the area of publishing. This is inclusive of all realms of print media, from cookbooks to advertisements. First and foremost are copyright and trademark issues.

But there are also production contracts, author agreements, and advertising, marketing and promotion issues. As with digital media, the world of entertainment law is fast paced and ever changing.

Choosing a career in entertainment law would be an exciting endeavor no matter which specialty you decide to practice.

If you're involved in the entertainment industry in any way, chances are you have an Entertainment Lawyer. If you're considering going into the entertainment industry, be it in publishing, film, theatre, or simply working on a set, you will need the counsel of an experienced Entertainment Lawyer.

With so many lawyers out there, you're probably wondering how you'd choose one. Not only will you need a lawyer in the entertainment industry, but you'll need one that specializes in the field you're in. For instance, an actress looking to renew a contract would need to hire an Entertainment Lawyer that specializes in contract negotiations.

First and foremost, when selecting your Entertainment Lawyer you'll want to look for one that has experience in the industry and experience in your specific area of need. Are you looking for an attorney that has a lot of connections in the entertainment industry?

If you're in need of someone to draft and negotiate your contract, or someone that can put together a deal for you, you'll need to search for an Entertainment Lawyer with a resume that reflects that expertise.

You also need to consider how well you will work with this particular individual. Even with a vast resume and impressive list of clientele, if you do not get along with your Entertainment Lawyer it will not be a successful relationship. Is this particular person readily available? Do they return your emails or phone calls? Ensuring that communication is open and responsive is very important in creating a long term relationship with your Entertainment Lawyer.

Consider your budget when selecting an Entertainment Lawyer. Ones that have been in the industry a long time will typically have higher fees commensurate with their experience. This may be important to you, but there may be a younger, just as enthusiastic go-getter of an attorney that is up and coming and will charge less.

Whoever you choose will depend on your needs and your budget.Lastly, when you choose the right Entertainment Lawyer for you and your need, you'll need to devise an agreement between you and their practice that covers rates, billing, expense, reimbursable expenses, length of contract, any retainers, and any other details pertinent to your working relationships.

One thing to keep in perspective is that the right Entertainment Lawyer will be working with you on the major aspects of your career. Choosing the right one for you and your needs is an important factor not to be taken lightly.

You've just finished writing what you think could be the next best seller. You've hired an experienced Entertainment Lawyer specializing in publishing contracts and want to know how you'll get paid and what you can expect in terms of how much you'll get paid. Some of this depends on how you negotiate your contract with your publisher, but some things are a little more defined.

Some basic information about publishing royalties will be explained the following paragraphs.

If a publisher buys the rights to publish your book, typically an arrangement is made where a royalty payment of 5% to 15% of the publishers' wholesale price is given to the author. In this arrangement, all the author has to do is write the content.

The publisher is responsible for the costs to produce the book which include editing, design, typesetting, printing, binding, advertising and marketing the book. Oftentimes in this arrangement, payment will go directly to your manager, agent, or an Entertainment Lawyer, who will then take their cut, and then issue you the remainder of the payout. With this type of royalty payment system, it is also common to see various 'steps” in which the amount of your royalties can escalate depending on how many books you sell. Blocks of 5000 books, 10,000 books, and 150,000 books are typical, meaning if you sell 5000 books you get a certain percentage of profit and earn more when you hit 10,000 books and so forth.

It will also be dependent on whether or not your book is a hardback or paperback.Most publishers also have particular times of year when they pay their contracted authors. Units sold from the first of the year to June 30th are paid out in November; Units sold July 1st to the end of the year are paid out in May.

It is very typical for an author to not receive any royalties for upwards of a year after a book has been published due to these pay schedules.

Regardless of how many books you sell, the right Entertainment Lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the terms that best suite your needs in your contract with your publisher.

So, you've decided to become a Lawyer. Now what? With so many vast areas of the law to choose from, it can be a hard decision to make. A very unique and equally exciting section of the law deals with Entertainment.

This can be a very compelling arena to work in as the Entertainment industry has become virtually ingrained in our everyday lives. If becoming an Entertainment Lawyer sounds like something that might be of interest to you, the following information will help guide you on your way.

First and foremost, upon graduation from college, you'll need to attend law school. With just as many options for law schools as there are areas of the law, you'll want to decide on a school that not only prepares you for a career in the Entertainment industry, but also provides the necessary contacts you'll need to get your career started.

Often overlooked, the people you meet in college and the alumni associations each college has can play a pivotal role in your future. Think about what area of law you'd like to study and see if there's a school near the epicenter of where the action is. Also consider joining a bar association.

An internship at a law firm specializing in the Entertainment industry while you're in law school will be an invaluable part of your career experience. You'll want to choose a firm that represents people in the Entertainment industry, that can get you exposure to all aspects of Entertainment law, and that can potentially provide you with contacts or employment after graduation from law school.

Most companies involved in the Entertainment industry offer in-house counsel. After graduation from law school, take the bar exam and make sure it is in the state you want to practice law.

If hired to a law firm or company you worked for while in school, ask if they have study materials or offer a compensatory program for taking and passing the bar exam. Most importantly, get hired with an Entertainment Lawyer!

Entertainment law is a constantly evolving arena. The contacts you make in law school, the alumni, where you interned, all make a difference in your success as an Entertainment Lawyer. The competition for a career in the Entertainment industry is intense, but with careful consideration and sound decisions, one can join this exclusive club of Entertainment Lawyers.