Some legal specialties are more specific and specialized than others. There are litigators, who argue the letter of the law for clients or the government in court. There are corporate lawyers, tax attorneys and those who specialize in contracts, plus many more. Most law school graduates find an area of law they like to practice and settle in for a long career, but those who wish to pursue entertainment law are in for a particularly wild ride, and must remain on their toes at all times.

Representing celebrity clients comes with its own set of unique challenges. An Attorney must be resourceful and prepared for anything their clients may face. Here are just a few of the roles an entertainment attorney fills to ensure that creative individuals with quick-rising success are able to earn and grow their businesses while their interests are protected.

Negotiators

According to John Branca attorney to superstars such as Michael Jackson and the Beach Boys, the role of an entertainment lawyer during negotiations isn’t always black and white. Legal and talent teams work on behalf of their clients to secure contracts and negotiate fees, which can get complicated when multiple interests and opinions are involved. Hear Branca recall a story from his early years representing celebrity clients.

Business Liaisons

Entertainment attorneys are versatile. They work with many talented people across the following industries:

• Music
• Film
• Television
• Comedy
• Electronic media
• Print (newspaper and magazine)

Those in the entertainment industry are in need of many different types of services. Therefore, a lawyer serves as a liaison between their clients and other business professionals like promoters, venue managers and tax preparers. Effective attorneys protect their clients from being taken advantage of by shady business partners.

Guardians of Intellectual Property

Wherever creators are creating, there are bound to be issues around trademarks and copyrights. Lawyers work to determine the difference between derivative, inspired and outright pirated work. In the event of stolen intellectual property, a litigator will prepare lawsuits and seek damages on behalf of the wronged client. This mitigates the chances of other individuals using material, song lyrics or melodies that belong to the writers, producers or artists that created them.

While specialized education programs exist for aspiring attorneys who wish to work with high-profile clients, networking is the best avenue for entering the entertainment space. Lawyers like John Branca need to have connections in film and music as well as top-notch business development skills.