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05 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Jackson is a very sharp, knowledgeable, patient and caring attorney. His knowledge and execution were beyond reproach, resulting in an effective resolution of my problem in a very short period of time. Words can't describe how thankful I am for his representation. I would recommend Mr. Jackson to anyone who is looking for a great attorney.
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03 Dec, 2019 by Logan
I hired Austin to review a contract that a brand sent me for a social media marketing partnership and he truly went above and beyond in his services. So much so that I've hired him for every contract since! Thanks for all your help Austin!
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17 May, 2013 by Matthew
Joanna Ardalan demonstrates experience and capabilities beyond her seniority. I have no hesitation in recommending her.
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15 May, 2013 by Stewart
Jo Ardalan is the attorney we are all looking for. She knows how to handle difficult situations and gives you a sense of confidence when discussing your situation. Her obvious intelligence and knowledge leads you in a direction that has you feeling that your are in the right hands. As a professional I am always questioning and analyzing for my own protection. With Ms. Ardalan I don't feel that need because I trust her.
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22 Feb, 2018 by Emanuel
Ricardo Maddalosso S G helped me in legal matters related to my art business and provided the most professional and excellent legal assistant in all respects that my business at a very reasonable rate. I would recommend Ricardo Maddalosso S G to anyone in the entertainment culture industry.
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22 Feb, 2018 by Peter
I hired mr. Maddalosso for my startup to help put together a Corporate Guarantee to secure a significant bank loan.
Mr. Maddalosso knowledge of this subject was in-depth, his research was thorough and he was obviously very experienced and reliable. What I also appreciated was his insights and advise surrounding the Legal Opinion he gave: he explained a lot about the underlaying contracts the juridical aspects and he pointed out several possible legal challenges and how to cope and overcome them (free of charge).
Mr. Maddalosso is bilingual (English, Italian and Japanese) and the communications with him were very responsive, fast, direct and easy to follow.
I actually was a lawyer myself before turning to business, albeit in a different field (criminal defence), but I can guarantee that mr. Maddalosso is the real deal, very skilled, does not cut any corners and is worth every penny.
As a startup you have to control your cost and mr. Maddalosso hourly billing was more than reasonable.
I highly recommend him.
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09 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Vahedi's advice has been indispensable throughout my ventures as a musician navigating the uncertain terrain of the entertainment industry. It's great to have someone on my side who I can trust and who is phenomenally savvy and intelligent. His experience in entertainment has proven career saving and I would recommend him to anyone who needs legal aid!
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22 Mar, 2012 by Anonymous
I have been a client for 14 years and would highly recommend Hillary. My expectations are high and she has never disappointed in handling all aspects of legal for my entertainment company.
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11 Sep, 2014 by Stephanie
My wife and I hired the Helmer-Friedman firm after being mistreated from an employer. Greg and Andrew's knowledge and experience is so incredibly vast they informed of of actually how many violations had incurred during our employment---which was way more than we knew. You may think you know your full rights, but you don't. They do!
These situations always tend to get personally uncomfortable very fast, especially for women. Greg and Andrew genuinely do care for you and you can feel it. Opening up to them is actually easier than to your own family. Thats exactly how they fight for you---like family.
I have known lawyers all over the country in many different specialties, Greg and Andrew are BY FAR the ONLY firm I would ever go back to for anything!
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03 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Eric is a wonderful entertainment lawyer who will provide you with great advice and professional representation while reminding you that some layers are actually people too!
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02 Feb, 2020 by Naomi
I was at a point in my new career where I was deciding between continuing to work independently or joining a small group practice. I was very torn about the decision and very concerned about losing my professional autonomy by signing on with the practice. I reached out to Mr. Bearman to review the contracts. He responded quickly, asked many questions about my work and my professional goals.
After this initial consultation he contacted me through his secure portal and very clearly explained the process of working with him, the range of services he could offer, how his fee structure worked, and what to expect each step of the way.
All that upfront information made it easy for me to consider my needs and my limitations and decide on which services to use at this time.
After reviewing the contracts and highlighting things that seemed questionable or unclear he further helped me by sending me a document with the notes from our talk clearly written out- which made it so easy for me to review and think and really consider my options in a clear headed way.
I felt empowered and knowledgeable after my meetings with Mr. Bearman and most of all I felt safe with the choices I made for the future of my career.
At the end of our work together he provided me with clear instructions and final comments. The payment was easy to make and right in the range that he had prepared me to expect.
I have never had the need to engage a lawyer before and I really feel like I lucked out because the experience could not have been more positive.
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12 Feb, 2025 by Liz gomez
Alex was amazing! He handled my case with professionalism, efficiency, and great attention to detail. His communication was excellent, always keeping me informed and explaining everything clearly. I truly appreciate his dedication and expertise. Highly recommend!
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22 Jan, 2025 by Cruz palacios
Attorney Alex helped my children and I successfully in a mold case.! He was very communicative and helpful with any questions any of us had. The process takes time, but he was always very reassuring in the matter, answered Emails and texts promptly, making the process a lot more pleasant. Would highly recommend!!
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22 Jan, 2025 by B
I just want to thank Alex for making one of the most trying times into such a blessing. Not only he is professional, understanding, patient, responsive but also personable, kind, empathetic, generous with his time & efforts into making sure you are taken care of, heard & seen. He was always there for us when we needed him & had the calmest most welcoming energy throughout my case & for that, I’m forever grateful. The communication, loyalty, responsiveness & his overall commitment to his work was there from beginning to end. That is who he is. Alex & his team are 5 star phenomenal. I would recommend to put your trust in him, you will not be disappointed & you will see a promising outcome. Truly the best!
Thank you forever & always Alex!
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23 Jan, 2025 by Kara eilander
I highly recommend Titan law firm! Justin Bina was so helpful and reassuring throughout the whole process. Nothing but positive things to say.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Charles moore
Justin is compassionet And effective, attorney. good man, Ms. Darling is my favorite person at Titan she gets things done..
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15 Jan, 2025 by Dexter alcordo
I want to personally thank Attorney Justin Bina, Case Managers Darling and Ashley, and all the staff at Titan Law. Thank you for being with me every step of this case. Especially when this was the first time I reached out to a law firm for help. Everyone on this team was respectful, kind, and took the time to explain the situation and what the next steps would be. It took a year but we came out on top. If you’re ever in need of a personal injury lawyer, I highly recommend Attorney Justin Bina and his team at Titan Law.
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04 Feb, 2025 by Joshua rey
Nate is a class act. Turned a truly stressful process into a seamless transition. Helped me deal with my own insurance company, my auto lease, and the other party involved, etc. Literally guided me from the day after my accident in 2022, beyond over a year AFTER my check came! I felt whole from the moment of loss because of his confidence in the resolve, and it was his expertise, experienced service, and care exhausted. He legitimately took my problem, and made it his personal solution, in all earnestness. Thank you again brother! 🙏
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03 Jan, 2025 by Nolan smith
Ryan is the best always! If you ever need anything done in a timely manner with a huge payout this firm is the best choice! Love
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03 Jan, 2025 by Jax
Huge thank you to everyone at Gould & Jefferson of Beverly Hills for their continuous and professional support. If you ever do business with them, you can always count on Nathan to handle everything for you in a professional and timely manner. Nathan and his team went out of their way to answer all of my questions and work their way to the most fair settlement possible. It was an easy, no stress process.
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13 Nov, 2024 by Liliana navarro
Wonderful experience during this time of hardship. I was looking for a lawyer to take on my case against KIA and while I received 3 "No's", The Lemon Pros took on my case. I have now finished my process and waiting on my settlement check.
The agents were very helpful and fought in the best interests possible for my benefit.
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05 Nov, 2024 by Jose.armando1206
Agradeciendo su más alto profesionalismo ala señora Zulma por el gran desempeño q me a brindado alo largo de este proceso con una entera amabilidad y compromiso mismo al desempeñar el más alto grado lavoral y ayuda a este servidor no abstente de su calidez el respeto y la claridad y confianza q transmite al dirigirse a uno
Por esto y mucho más. Mil gracias y de igual manera al abogado Jorge Acosta por su desempeño y profesionalismo es cada uno de los prosesos 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏
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02 Nov, 2024 by Grace sahagun
Wonderful People at the Lemon Law Pro.
Zulma was an excellent person to work with and real professional.
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20 Dec, 2024 by Dahlia torres
We used Nabi Law Group for my husbands workers comp case and they were able to get us a settlement! They are always responding accordingly to our emails and we’ve had nothing but positive news from them! Ana always explains herself well and goes into detail with information. I definitely recommend them!
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18 Dec, 2024 by Emilio lemus tadeo
My experience was amazing. From the begging to the end everything was seamless great communication, puts the client first and always responsive. Felt that they had my best interest in mind always. Can stress enough amazing group. Thanks everyone.
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10 Dec, 2024 by Nee ssa
Ana helped my friend Victor with his case. She is so professional, kind hearted, loyal, hard working, consistent, considerate, and compassionate. She truly believes in justice. She has changed his life for the better. Ana, this was your God given assignment. You are a one of a kind. A BEAST in the courtroom and I say that in the most sincere way! Ana takes her time, is very thorough and thoughtful and she stops and nothing to give you what you truly deserve! May God ALWAYS be with you Ana.
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20 Dec, 2024 by Dahlia torres
We used Nabi Law Group for my husbands workers comp case and they were able to get us a settlement! They are always responding accordingly to our emails and we’ve had nothing but positive news from them! Ana always explains herself well and goes into detail with information. I definitely recommend them!
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18 Dec, 2024 by Emilio lemus tadeo
My experience was amazing. From the begging to the end everything was seamless great communication, puts the client first and always responsive. Felt that they had my best interest in mind always. Can stress enough amazing group. Thanks everyone.
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10 Dec, 2024 by Nee ssa
Ana helped my friend Victor with his case. She is so professional, kind hearted, loyal, hard working, consistent, considerate, and compassionate. She truly believes in justice. She has changed his life for the better. Ana, this was your God given assignment. You are a one of a kind. A BEAST in the courtroom and I say that in the most sincere way! Ana takes her time, is very thorough and thoughtful and she stops and nothing to give you what you truly deserve! May God ALWAYS be with you Ana.
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20 Dec, 2024 by Dahlia torres
We used Nabi Law Group for my husbands workers comp case and they were able to get us a settlement! They are always responding accordingly to our emails and we’ve had nothing but positive news from them! Ana always explains herself well and goes into detail with information. I definitely recommend them!
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18 Dec, 2024 by Emilio lemus tadeo
My experience was amazing. From the begging to the end everything was seamless great communication, puts the client first and always responsive. Felt that they had my best interest in mind always. Can stress enough amazing group. Thanks everyone.
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10 Dec, 2024 by Nee ssa
Ana helped my friend Victor with his case. She is so professional, kind hearted, loyal, hard working, consistent, considerate, and compassionate. She truly believes in justice. She has changed his life for the better. Ana, this was your God given assignment. You are a one of a kind. A BEAST in the courtroom and I say that in the most sincere way! Ana takes her time, is very thorough and thoughtful and she stops and nothing to give you what you truly deserve! May God ALWAYS be with you Ana.
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12 Feb, 2024 by Elaine flores-poe
If you’re facing a divorce with someone you believe may go to any lengths to unjustly destroy you in court, take everything from you, and/or do you feel the cards are stacked against you for any reason? Then Danielle Salice is who you want going to war for you, because she will give everything, she has into protecting you and getting you justice.
When I first met Ms. Salice, I was terrified, I felt so alone, afraid of what the future was going to hold. I was in a bad marriage, had recently been diagnosed with a health condition, and was in the beginning phases of my divorce. Without sharing too much detail, I shared a bit of my story with an online platform of a group of moms seeking advice. Ms. Salice was one of the fellow moms who reached out to me to offer support, but in no way did she appear to be seeking a client, but rather, she was simply being kind and compassionate. The mere fact that she was a Family Law Attorney didn’t even come into play until much later. When it became clear that I needed a lawyer, I didn’t even know she could represent me in my county, but on one of the scariest days of my life, I reached out to Ms. Salice in a panic unsure of what to do. I cried telling her how much I wish she was able to represent me in my county, and that was the moment I she notified me that she could. From that point on, Ms. Salice immediately went to battle for me, and continues to fight to protect me, and my child. At the beginning of the process, I was so scared that I would lose everything, including my child all because my ex has money, and I was left with nothing, and no way to work with my health. Not only has Ms. Salice fought every battle for me as if she were fighting it for herself and her own family, but she also held my hand through the whole process. She calmed me down and let me cry night after night as I would be falling to pieces over the pain caused by my divorce. I thought I stood no chance until Ms. Salice came into the picture. Since she has joined my case, not only has she secured custody for me, but she has blocked my ex and his lawyer’s every attempt to take advantage of me, push me around, or bully me into submission. I have cried several times in gratitude thanking Ms. Salice for all the work that she has done and continues to do. Thank you, Danielle, for fighting so hard for me, for protecting me, for making sure I don’t get taken advantage of just because I am scared, or don’t have as much as my ex does. Thank you, Danielle, for stopping them from taking my baby for unjust reasons just to get out of paying child support. Thank you for not letting them use the system to exert power and control over me, and thank you for always being there to support me emotionally through this process as well!
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13 Dec, 2023 by Russ catt
I see what everyone is talking about! Danielle is a breath of fresh air, all it took was 30 minutes for her to break down what needed to be done with my child support case. I got emotional when I was explaining things to her and she understood. She even allowed my sister to call her so she could also explain to my sister what needed to be done. I hope you get all the blessing in life, Danielle...thank you!
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05 Sep, 2023 by Angela chandler
05 Aug, 2024 by Tina yarandi
It's a shame I haven't written a review sooner for Law Advocate Group and Mr.Doron Eghbali himself. I came across Mr.Eghbali's law firm at the lowest point in my life where the last thing I could handle was a frivolous lawsuit brought against me by a company that I should have actually been suing instead. Long story short, from my initial consultation, Mr.Eghbali showed compassion not only towards my case, but to me as a person. In a world where attorneys are vilified and made to seem heartless, Mr.Eghbali was a warm and understanding individual that made me feel like I was in good hands.
Over the course of the next 2 years, Mr.Eghbali, his trusted colleague and I fought the lawsuit tooth and nail and were able to secure a favorable outcome that lifted such a huge burden off my shoulders that I literally felt like I'm getting a second chance at life. Mr.Eghbali and everyone involved with Law Advocate Group went above and beyond for me and I am forever grateful to them. This could have gone a different direction for me as I just found Mr.Eghbali online and had no real vetting of him as a person but it went absolutely the best that it could go and to a certain extent, helped to restore my faith in humanity at a dark time in my life where I was especially vulnerable.
I cannot recommend this compassionate and competent attorney strongly enough and I will entrust all my legal needs to him if ever I find myself in the position to do so again.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Angelica jensen
I found the Law Advocate Group over a year ago when I needed a lawyer, and I am beyond grateful to have found Doron and his team. I hired him as an attorney, and he went above and beyond with every step of the way, and I would recommend him to ANYONE who finds themselves in legal matters. He is very communicative and just an overall kind hearted person. You will not regret coming here.
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12 Oct, 2023 by Manny’s restaurant
I would like to thank Doron and his Great team for being very helpful in our case it was a blessing finding them they took care of us every step of the way, what started out as a nightmare with their help we were able to be at ease from the first day that I met with Doron, with their professional support I highly recommend them for any law services anyone needs thank you very much Doron and all your team!
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19 Sep, 2024 by Ivan agapchev
Ariel is very professional. We have a big fleet of cars and he always help us from attorney’s prospective to work with insurance companies
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02 Aug, 2024 by Chelsea medwin
Ariel is a phenomenal attorney and someone I would refer others to without reservation. His work ethic, commitment to his clients’ goals, and unique approach to complex cases truly set him apart as a legal professional. Moreover, when you speak with Ariel, it’s abundantly clear how much he cares about helping others navigate what can be a daunting legal system and achieving the best results for his clients. He is an asset to the legal profession.
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12 Jun, 2024 by Ethan pettengill 'student'
Ari is one of the most brilliant and professional individuals I have ever met. His business exemplifies this, and he is a man of character. I recommend his firm to anyone and everyone.
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19 Sep, 2024 by Ivan agapchev
Ariel is very professional. We have a big fleet of cars and he always help us from attorney’s prospective to work with insurance companies
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02 Aug, 2024 by Chelsea medwin
Ariel is a phenomenal attorney and someone I would refer others to without reservation. His work ethic, commitment to his clients’ goals, and unique approach to complex cases truly set him apart as a legal professional. Moreover, when you speak with Ariel, it’s abundantly clear how much he cares about helping others navigate what can be a daunting legal system and achieving the best results for his clients. He is an asset to the legal profession.
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12 Jun, 2024 by Ethan pettengill 'student'
Ari is one of the most brilliant and professional individuals I have ever met. His business exemplifies this, and he is a man of character. I recommend his firm to anyone and everyone.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Raymond dominick
Big fan of this law firm. Time and time again they continue to amaze me.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Hamza ridge
I’m happy with the services I was given. They got me what I needed.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Louie cullen
I didn’t know how to go about suing someone and after hours of searching I made the decision to go with this firm. I was introduced to Neama during my consultation and was satisfied with how that went. After speaking to him, I was confident that I put my trust into the right person to get the job done. Neama can be described as someone who wants to go the extra mile to make sure your needs are fully met. He was easy to reach out to and if he wasn’t available someone from his team would get back to me soon after my calls. It was a pretty organized and scheduled dynamic that made it easy for me to communicate with them. But yeah he got me just what I hoped for. So with that being said..thank you Neama!
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26 Jun, 2024 by Raymond dominick
Big fan of this law firm. Time and time again they continue to amaze me.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Hamza ridge
I’m happy with the services I was given. They got me what I needed.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Louie cullen
I didn’t know how to go about suing someone and after hours of searching I made the decision to go with this firm. I was introduced to Neama during my consultation and was satisfied with how that went. After speaking to him, I was confident that I put my trust into the right person to get the job done. Neama can be described as someone who wants to go the extra mile to make sure your needs are fully met. He was easy to reach out to and if he wasn’t available someone from his team would get back to me soon after my calls. It was a pretty organized and scheduled dynamic that made it easy for me to communicate with them. But yeah he got me just what I hoped for. So with that being said..thank you Neama!
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19 May, 2021 by Adam ravid
12 Sep, 2018 by Zephyrion
21 Feb, 2019 by Michael ardavan
12 Sep, 2018 by Zephyrion
21 Feb, 2019 by Michael ardavan
12 Sep, 2018 by Zephyrion
13 Feb, 2025 by Martin sanchez
Yeroushalmi Law was extremely helpful an attenitve with my case. I strongly recommend his services. We had a positve outcome and moreso, I was treated respectifully and kindly throughtout the case.
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23 Jan, 2025 by J g
21 Jan, 2025 by Jamall bard
Thank u Ms. Monte’s and DC Law Group for being fast, reliable, & getting me the highest paid amount for all of my pain and suffering
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13 Feb, 2025 by Martin sanchez
Yeroushalmi Law was extremely helpful an attenitve with my case. I strongly recommend his services. We had a positve outcome and moreso, I was treated respectifully and kindly throughtout the case.
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23 Jan, 2025 by J g
21 Jan, 2025 by Jamall bard
Thank u Ms. Monte’s and DC Law Group for being fast, reliable, & getting me the highest paid amount for all of my pain and suffering
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13 Feb, 2025 by Martin sanchez
Yeroushalmi Law was extremely helpful an attenitve with my case. I strongly recommend his services. We had a positve outcome and moreso, I was treated respectifully and kindly throughtout the case.
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23 Jan, 2025 by J g
21 Jan, 2025 by Jamall bard
Thank u Ms. Monte’s and DC Law Group for being fast, reliable, & getting me the highest paid amount for all of my pain and suffering
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Entertainment Lawyer Can Do for You
An entertainment lawyer specializes in legal matters related to the entertainment industry, including film, television, music, publishing, sports, and digital media. They assist artists, creators, producers, and companies with contract negotiations, intellectual property protection, licensing deals, royalties, and disputes. Entertainment lawyers also help clients navigate complex industry regulations and ensure their creative rights are protected.
Whether you're an actor, musician, producer, writer, or influencer, an entertainment lawyer can help safeguard your rights and ensure that your business deals are legally sound.
When Should I Hire an Entertainment Lawyer?
You should consider hiring an entertainment lawyer in a variety of situations, including:
- Contract negotiations: If you're signing a contract for a film role, recording deal, or publishing agreement, an entertainment lawyer can review the terms and negotiate on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected.
- Intellectual property protection: If you're a creator (musician, writer, filmmaker), an entertainment lawyer can help secure copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements to protect your work from unauthorized use.
- Disputes or litigation: If you’re involved in a legal dispute, such as breach of contract, copyright infringement, or defamation, an entertainment lawyer can represent you in negotiations or court.
- Representation agreements: If you’re hiring or entering into a contract with a manager, agent, or publicist, a lawyer can ensure that the terms of representation are fair and comply with industry standards.
- Royalties and licensing: If you're licensing your work for use in film, TV, or digital platforms, a lawyer can negotiate royalty agreements to ensure you receive proper compensation.
- Talent contracts: Whether you are hiring talent for a project or negotiating your own appearance or performance fees, an entertainment lawyer can ensure the terms are legally binding and beneficial.
- Film and television production: If you're producing a film, TV show, or other media project, a lawyer can handle contracts with crew, talent, and distributors, and ensure that all legal aspects of the production are covered.
Hiring a lawyer early in your entertainment career or project can prevent costly legal mistakes and protect your creative and financial interests.
What Does an Entertainment Lawyer Do?
An entertainment lawyer provides a range of legal services to professionals in the entertainment industry. Their responsibilities often include:
- Reviewing and drafting contracts: Entertainment lawyers review, draft, and negotiate contracts for talent, production, licensing, distribution, and endorsements. This ensures that the terms are fair and protect their client's interests.
- Securing intellectual property rights: They help clients obtain copyrights, trademarks, and patents for their creative works, and assist with licensing those rights to third parties.
- Negotiating deals: Whether it's a film deal, music contract, publishing agreement, or endorsement, an entertainment lawyer ensures that their client gets favorable terms and is protected from potential legal pitfalls.
- Handling disputes and litigation: In cases where contract terms are violated, intellectual property is infringed, or other legal issues arise, an entertainment lawyer can represent clients in negotiations, arbitration, or court.
- Advising on industry regulations: Entertainment lawyers help clients navigate industry-specific laws, such as union regulations, labor laws, or FCC rules for broadcasting.
- Managing royalties and residuals: They assist in tracking and collecting royalties or residuals for music, film, television, and digital content to ensure clients receive the compensation they are owed.
- Talent agreements and representation: Entertainment lawyers often work with talent agents and managers, ensuring that their clients' representation agreements are legally sound and financially beneficial.
How Are Entertainment Lawyers Paid?
Entertainment lawyers may be paid in various ways, depending on the type of service provided. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many entertainment lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fee: For specific legal services, such as drafting a contract or filing a trademark, some lawyers offer flat fees. Flat fees are common in simpler or one-time transactions.
- Contingency fee: In some cases, especially when working with talent, entertainment lawyers may charge a contingency fee, meaning they take a percentage (usually 5% to 10%) of the client's earnings from a particular project.
- Retainer: For ongoing legal services, such as managing contracts and royalties over a long period, a lawyer may require a retainer fee. This is an upfront payment that covers future legal services, and the lawyer bills against the retainer as they work on the case.
It’s important to discuss fee structures with your lawyer at the outset to ensure you understand the total cost of legal services.
How Much Does an Entertainment Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an entertainment lawyer depends on the complexity of your legal needs, the lawyer’s experience, and the type of fee arrangement. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Entertainment lawyers typically charge between $250 and $1,000 per hour. More experienced lawyers with extensive connections in the entertainment industry may charge higher rates.
- Flat fees: For simpler services like drafting a basic contract, flat fees can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the agreement.
- Contingency fees: Lawyers working on a contingency basis typically charge between 5% and 10% of the earnings from a project or deal. For example, if a lawyer helps you secure a $100,000 film contract, their fee might be $5,000 to $10,000.
- Retainers: For ongoing legal representation, retainers can range from $2,500 to $50,000 or more, depending on the scope of the legal services and the length of the engagement.
Always discuss the costs and fee structure during your initial consultation to ensure that the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask an Entertainment Lawyer
Before hiring an entertainment lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they are the right fit for your career or project. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have in entertainment law?
Ensure the lawyer has experience in your specific area of the entertainment industry, whether it's film, music, television, or digital media. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, flat fee, or contingency fee, and ask for a detailed cost estimate. -
Do you have industry connections?
Ask about the lawyer’s experience and connections in the entertainment industry, which can be valuable for contract negotiations and deal-making. -
What contracts or legal issues should I be aware of?
Ask the lawyer to identify potential legal pitfalls in your specific project or career and how they would help you avoid them. -
What intellectual property protections do I need?
If you’re a creator, ask how the lawyer will help protect your intellectual property rights and prevent others from using your work without permission. -
How will you negotiate deals on my behalf?
Ask about the lawyer’s approach to negotiating contracts, ensuring they focus on getting favorable terms while maintaining strong industry relationships. -
What happens if there is a dispute?
Ask the lawyer how they handle disputes, including whether they aim for negotiation or litigation and how they would protect your interests.
How to Check the Credibility of an Entertainment Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable entertainment lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for entertainment law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in entertainment law and have successfully handled cases or negotiations relevant to your industry.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients say about their experience with the lawyer, especially in terms of contract negotiations and industry knowledge.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on entertainment-related matters.
- Check for industry memberships: Membership in entertainment law organizations, such as the Beverly Hills Bar Association Entertainment Law Section, can indicate a lawyer’s dedication to staying up-to-date on industry trends and regulations.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with an entertainment lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Current contracts or agreements: Bring any contracts you have already signed or are considering, such as talent agreements, recording contracts, publishing deals, or management contracts.
- Intellectual property portfolio: Provide details about any copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property you own or are seeking to protect.
- Project details: If you’re working on a specific project (e.g., film, album, book), provide a summary of the project, your role, and any legal needs, such as contract negotiations or copyright protection.
- List of collaborators or stakeholders: Provide information about other parties involved in your project, such as agents, managers, producers, or distributors, and any contracts related to them.
- Questions about your legal needs: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, potential issues, and how the lawyer can help you protect your interests.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your legal needs effectively and provide the best possible advice tailored to your entertainment career or project.
