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06 Feb, 2015 by Jessica
Brigit Connelly has provided legal services for me in both a personal legal matter and a contractual small business matter. I found her to be extremely helpful, well thought out and always able to anticipate my opposing parties next move. She is incredibly knowledgeable in legal matters but also extremely personable and approachable. She is not uptight and out of touch with the the rest of society as I have often found some well established lawyers to be. I would highly recommend her for for legal issues big or small as she helped me get through mine!
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30 Jan, 2015 by Lindsay albanese
Brigit has been my lawyer for over a year handling various deals that come my way in the entertainment industry. She's very meticulous and explains everything easily and thoroughly so I know exactly what I'm getting into with any contract. She is my trusted legal counsel before I sign the dotted line!
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27 Jan, 2015 by Toddrick
Brigit has been my trusted resource for legal counsel, negotiation and review for nearly 6 years. I cannot recommend her services highly enough. She is extremely knowledgable, highly skilled, easy to talk to and a consummate professional and I plan to continue working with her for years to come.
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09 Sep, 2024 by Tim
I had the pleasure of working with Christiane Kinney through one of the most challenging legal battles of my life. I was being sued by someone making a series of false claims, and after years of fighting, we finally went to trial. The trial itself lasted nearly a month, but Christiane handled it with absolute professionalism and skill. Her attention to detail, strategic planning, and dedication to my case were unmatched. She not only won the case for me but also managed to secure a reimbursement for my legal fees from the opposing party, which was a huge relief. On top of that, she negotiated an incredible payment plan, making sure the person who tried to sue me was held accountable. Throughout the process, she made me feel comfortable and confident, always keeping me informed and guiding me with her expertise. If you need a strong, compassionate, and incredibly skilled attorney by your side, I highly recommend Christiane. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome or a better advocate in my corner.
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16 Feb, 2020 by Josh
I was a musician living fist to mouth when I first spoke with Chris about a lawsuit that was brewing. She didn't know me at all, but took my call and advised me out of the goodness of her heart. Then, when I got dragged into this bogus lawsuit, she took me on pro bono and worked like it was the most important case of her life. Her communication, research, and knowledge of the law was THOROUGH, and I can confidently say that not only was she the smartest lawyer in the room, she was also the most respected. Chris is an excellent attorney and an even better human being. If you’re turned off by a lawyer who also happens to be a really good person, then pray to God you never have to battle her in court. She’ll CRUSH you.
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07 Feb, 2020 by Greg
We thought we could handle our own work-for-hire contracts, just simple stuff anyways… until we got successful and then things got ugly. Another attorney tried to fix it, but only dug a deeper, more ambiguous hole. Then the litigation threats started and we felt sunk. Christiane fixed it all, but not without extreme finesse and careful maneuvering that showed us just what a REAL Attorney looks like! Since those dark days, she has been such a great partner to listen, support, explain, and guide us thru to successful conclusions on many fronts! So happy to have her on our team!
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12 Oct, 2016 by Sara
Ms. Kimble was incredibly helpful in drafting agreements for my non-profit to use when forming partnerships with universities and secondary schools. After just one phone call she quickly helped me identify the necessary components and explained anything that was unclear given my lack of legal background. Ms. Kimble efficiently and effectively listened to my needs and was always available by phone or email for questions.
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10 Jun, 2016 by Robert
Leticia Kimble has been a key asset of my team as a freelancer in entertainment matters. There's no deal that she hasn't been able to close with speed, accuracy and aplomb, and it is a pleasure to deal with someone who can anticipate your thoughts and be pro-active on your behalf without strain or additional stress.
No matter what type of agreement or situation my or my team have thrown at her, she's been able to adapt and deliver quickly without missing a step. She's also adept at the people part of legal matters, being able to communicate with both my clients and VIP's with the same ease and ability to get things done.
We've hired her again and again, and we will continue to be repeat customers as her skills are unmatched and her patience is unending, as we work together to navigate the wild wild west that is the continuously morphing entertainment industry.
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24 Oct, 2015 by Danielle
Leticia Kimble is a fantastic lawyer! She's quick and aggressive and best of all, takes the time to explain everything that's going on. I received some legal papers that didn't make any sense and Leticia Kimble was great at taking the time to explain everything. I really felt empowered and I got a great result. She is simply the best and I would definitely use her again.
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28 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Ms. Lewis has been extremely helpful with some difficult legal situations that required a thorough understanding of our various counterparts. Ms. Lewis not only guided us through difficult negotiations but also offered numerous suggestions on how to best approach our licensing agreements and contracts. Our agreements stretch over years and occasionally decades and have significant consequences for the future of our business endeavors. Ms. Lewis has been instrumental in avoiding many pitfalls and made our exchanges with the other party a little easier. I would highly recommend working with Ms. Lewis and make sure you write down some of her comments. She thinks fast and out of her quick mind comes real nuggets. It is up to you to catch them. Don't be afraid to ask her "why" when discussing the minutiae of a paragraph or a line in a contract. Ms. Lewis will go into all the possible angles on your counterpart's side and yours. It is occasionally scary but ultimately helpful since it gives you an opportunity to choose the best possible path knowing full well what all the possible options are. Take your time to review all her suggestions and comments on your documents. Sleep on them ! It will be worth your time. You won't regret it. I could not recommend Ms. Lewis enough.
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15 Jan, 2011 by Jerry
Mrs. Lewis obtained everything I requested during my contract negotiations. I couldn't believe it. This attorney fought for me like a parent would . She holds a deep allegiance for her clients. I have find my attorney for life!
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02 Nov, 2010 by Anonymous
One of the few lawyers who doesn't rip you off and in fact gets you money in your deals. She was worth every penny and more.
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12 Nov, 2020 by Tara
I interviewed several lawyers to assist my mother and I create Revocable Trusts this year (2020). During Covid it has not been easy and when I found Naomi, I knew this was the team I wanted to work with. She is highly professional, patient, friendly, efficient and easy to work with. She was able to translate the difficult law language that made creating our trusts easier. I highly recommend this company and Naomi Stal specifically.
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20 Aug, 2012 by Ilan
we wanted to have a prenup as an act of love before getting married. never thought it would be so difficult. we were so lucky to have naomi stal prepare it for us. being as we are, we wanted a less standard prenup, that would also consist of some personal items one normally wouldn't find in a dry legal document. even the standard items weren't that standard when it came to us. however, naomi guided us professionally and patiently. her hard work and dedication is invaluable. thank you!
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03 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
Contract negotiation for my small business. She was great- flexible with my financial needs and responsive and negotiated a great contract for me.
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29 Sep, 2015 by Steve
I got a DUI back in 2014. Without getting into the details, my DUI case is not the typical DUI case and the DA was playing "hardball." Annie spent over a year fighting for me, filed motions to suppress evidence and was ready to take my case to trial. She refused to take just some plea deal. Annie was always on top of my case and kept me informed and updated. I don't know any attorney that would have put in as much time and effort as Annie did. I knew I was in good hands with Annie and I could not be happier with the outcome of my case.
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28 Apr, 2015 by Milo
My case had to do with intellectual property being infringed upon by some VERY big names in the entertainment business. Before coming to Annie, I had my case reviewed by several other lawyers who, I felt, were intimidated because of the high profiles maintained by the potential defendants in my case. NOT ANNIE, however! She displayed an outstanding grasp of the issues involved in my case from our very first meeting . She understood the delicate nature of my relationship with Blink 182 and handled my case with much discretion. She also really understood my music, which was extremely important to me. Annie's kind, caring nature and her prompt response to my e-mails and phone calls allow me to recommend her professional services to potential clients without reservation.
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27 Feb, 2015 by Reid e. martin
I had a Workers Comp case handled by a Law firm who used Hearing Representatives instead of Attorney's. After three Mandatory settlement conferences and false promises over a two year period the firm woke up and brought Annie Berlin to join the firm. Annie got more done in a three week period than any Hearing representative did in a two year period. At the settlement conference she was dynamic, professional and took my interest in the settlement. Thank you Annie for stepping up and getting this case settled and keeping me informed of everything that was going on with this case.
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09 Mar, 2017 by Cari
Sara Frisch was very attentive and answered all of my questions with knowledge and patience. She understood, and was able to explain, the nuances of the law as it pertained to my case; I found her advice extremely helpful. I would recommend Sara without reservations.
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18 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Sara was great to work with. She took time to get to know me and my case. I felt supported the whole time. She's smart and efficient.
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10 Feb, 2017 by Jason
Highly professional and great resolution to issues. Has a deep understanding of intellectual property and Licensing matters. I would definitely recommend.
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17 Feb, 2019 by E. owens ii
These attorneys are top-tier! Perhaps the best cannabis law firm in California. Very knowledgeable and accessible. Walked us through the process with care and precision. Highly recommend to anyone involved in the cannabis industry.
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30 Nov, 2017 by Paula hormachea
29 Apr, 2012 by Tom
Having Ian in my corner has made all the difference in my life. He made my problems, his problems. That's no line. He took my situation to heart and he didn't stop until he got me a great deal. He has a lighting fast legal mind and the ability to talk to the creative merits of a project as well as the business side. He was simultaneously my biggest fan and toughest critic. There's nothing false about him. He'll give it to you straight and in my case pushed me to make my best effort better. And besides being a tireless advocate, he has the strongest sense of integrity of anyone I've ever encountered in my professional life. I couldn't recommend him enough.
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07 Apr, 2014 by Nick
As a business owner in the ever-changing entertainment industry, it's paramount to not only have an attorney that's extremely eloquent and passionate but also very responsive and extremely intelligent. Her professional work has demonstrated to me that her highly specialized skill set is second to none in Los Angeles; always three steps a head with a plan of action to execute.
Her style of business is forth-coming, honest and pragmatic. She's creative, collaborative and consistently delivers far beyond any expectation I could have ever imagined. A+
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25 Feb, 2014 by James
I have known and worked with Lindsay Salk for over a year now on a various array of legal and contractual matters and can honestly say she is one of the best in the business. An attorney with extensive legal knowledge and business acumen, her attention to detail is second to none. Her fair and honest business practices reinforce a strong working relationship that I highly value and respect.
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16 Dec, 2013 by Christine
If more lawyers were like Ms. Salk, people wouldn't have a bad opinion of lawyers. She's the absolute best - I trust her with all my legal matters.
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16 Apr, 2018 by Stacey
I am a business attorney who has referred a number of friends and clients to Humberto, and he gets nothing but rave reviews. Always helpful, positive, available and knows how to make the immigration system work for you, regardless of your immigration problem! And his office staff is great as well.
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14 Sep, 2013 by Dom
Humberto Grey is a very good,passionate immigration lawyer. I went to many others before i went to him and they told our case is difficult and can t be done. Humberto was so confident and told us to extend our E2 Visa should not be a problem. Well,we got our extension and very grateful to Humberto. His team is great too and they always answered my questions and the communication was awesome. He truely cares about his clients and makes sure that everything is 100% correct. I definitely can recommend him and he is worth it the money. GREAT EXPERIENCE AND 5 STARS TO HUMBERTO AND HIS TEAM!!!!
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09 Mar, 2020 by Buddy
My production team has been searching for the right attorney for years. When contacted Kamal he had great customer service, quick response times and was very honest about what was needed for our agreements. We are grateful to have found and look forward to building a relationship with Kamal.
Thank you for all you help!!!
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12 Feb, 2015 by Leon
Kamal is one of the best lawyers in Los Angeles, he helped me with a guy who was trying to steal money from me, Kamal was incredible, I would recommend him to everyone, no one is better he is dedicated and knows the law very very well, I am so thankful for him
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15 Feb, 2022 by Suzanne raina
I've been referring cases to Merino Yebri since 2016, to both Alex and Sam. They are prompt at communication, thorough in their analyses, and fight hard for their clients. My clients, friends, and contacts whom I've referred have been happy with their representation, and they honorably pay referral fees. Highly recommend.
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13 Nov, 2014 by R g
Best legal experience I've ever had. Sam is hard working and truly cares.
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15 Feb, 2022 by Suzanne raina
I've been referring cases to Merino Yebri since 2016, to both Alex and Sam. They are prompt at communication, thorough in their analyses, and fight hard for their clients. My clients, friends, and contacts whom I've referred have been happy with their representation, and they honorably pay referral fees. Highly recommend.
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13 Nov, 2014 by R g
Best legal experience I've ever had. Sam is hard working and truly cares.
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24 May, 2016 by Ken
Joshua has a high motivation to help you with your case(s). He has a knowledge to search and find the truth. Last year, he helped me by saving me from the Plaintiff who tried to blame their fraudulent activities on me. He did some research and found out that I was innocent and the plaintiff couldn't argue back because Joshua has found the truth. The plaintiff was scared that they told the judge to let me off from this case. I thank him for saving me from attempt of crime by the Plaintiff. Thank you for defending me, Joshua.
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24 Feb, 2015 by Bill
I give Mr. Eichenstein my highest recommendation. He did an excellent job on my case, and I will definitely use him again if I need to in the future.
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08 Mar, 2024 by Belen buckley
06 Mar, 2024 by Cian cardenas
08 Mar, 2024 by Belen buckley
06 Mar, 2024 by Cian cardenas
15 Feb, 2022 by Suzanne raina
I've been referring cases to Merino Yebri since 2016, to both Alex and Sam. They are prompt at communication, thorough in their analyses, and fight hard for their clients. My clients, friends, and contacts whom I've referred have been happy with their representation, and they honorably pay referral fees. Highly recommend.
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13 Nov, 2014 by R g
Best legal experience I've ever had. Sam is hard working and truly cares.
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15 Feb, 2022 by Suzanne raina
I've been referring cases to Merino Yebri since 2016, to both Alex and Sam. They are prompt at communication, thorough in their analyses, and fight hard for their clients. My clients, friends, and contacts whom I've referred have been happy with their representation, and they honorably pay referral fees. Highly recommend.
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13 Nov, 2014 by R g
Best legal experience I've ever had. Sam is hard working and truly cares.
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24 May, 2019 by Mylan t.
Thanks for the consultation! Andrew was very helpful and kind in helping us with our issue.
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15 Apr, 2019 by Nobaloney mahoney
Always available and reasonable. I've used Andrew since 1999ðŸ˜
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05 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Loggia was very helpful in starting and building my business. He went beyond the legal work into areas of branding and marketing which helped my business a lot. He's also very personable and easy to work with. I would highly recommend him.
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03 Jul, 2014 by Marc
Michael has been an incredible asset to my start-up involving musicians, actors, song-writers, singers and other creatives. He was exacting in answering all of my questions and providing solutions to my challenges. I never felt rushed or unheard, and he delivered in a timely fashion. Michael is truly supportive and a pleasure to work with.
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13 Mar, 2021 by Angel
WOW.
He is AMAZING!
Fast response time, going above and beyond to answer all my questions, potential fraud cases. Additional research and reasoning, putting everything into layman's terms. Thank you so much for the research, that was highly appreciated, unexpected.
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25 Nov, 2014 by David
I hired Josh to help me with a website was hijacked by a web designer, I had a functioning site and with one disagreement it was shut down and a message put up saying that I do not pay my bills. Not true.
The webmaster decided on well over $30,000 for the site and with little recourse I had our attorneys battle it out.
I wrote a check for $5,000 a month later and learned 2 valuable lessons.
1 - Always consult with the lawyer before you sign a deal with anyone for a business opportunity.
2 - Call Josh if you are being bullied and do not know what to do.
Thanks man
Davidkimmerle.com
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24 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Exellent Lawyer! Very happy with his service.
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07 Jun, 2010 by Gerald goldstein
Excellent attorney. I have worked with many lawyers and Joshua Blum is one of the most sophisticated and skilled attorney that I have come across in the past five years. He is very organized, thorough and attentive. I highly recommend him.
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26 Oct, 2017 by Ionel dinu
My first contact with this office was with Mr. Aldo Gusman, very professional and well prepared in Lemon Law,
My cas was that kind that take time. After few months I was contacted by Mr. Jordan and from that time everything start to move in the right direction. I filled like he dedicated his time, his knowledge and persuasivity to push this cas. So I understood I’m in good hands and soon he informed me that my case in coming to an end.
I was a lucky guy contacting this company and superlacky when Mr. Jordan got my case.
Thank you very much for representing me, Mr. Jordan against a big company like Fiar Crysler Automakers.
Finally a lower who care for the little persons!
Thank you!
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10 Aug, 2017 by Alan
Jordan was very helpful and nice communicated back with me in a timely manner and solved my issue of me almost losing my money on a new jetski I had bough from a dealership. The ski is going to get diagnostic and the problem should be fixed by the manufacture. I had spent so much money trying to find the problem with the ski at so many dealers but they couldn't find anything and when I would call the Manfacture they would tell me your out of luck. Thanks to Jordan for talking to them and getting me a good will service diagnostics my ski will be running and operating again and I don't have to just throw away the 20k I spent on the ski. I couldn't have had asked for better service from Jordan where no one wanted to take my case because either they said there's no money or profit margin innit for them or they just don't deal with water sport.
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16 Sep, 2022 by Kk
It is very hard to find trustworthy, reliable and honest attorney. However, Mr. Gordon is the one of those.
He helped me do the response letter to the contractor's attorney.
Mr. Gordon provided me with honest and valuable advise to me. He addressed the fact straight to the point to response back to the contractor's attorney. I am very thankful and appreciated his help to me in this tremendous stressful time.
I highly recommended Mr. Gordon. If you like to work with honest, reliable, professional and trustworthy lawyer.
You will feel trust that his advise is honest, truthful and trustworthy.
No one will come to take advantage to you again when the time that you are struggle, stressful and need true help the most.
Thank you very much, Mr. Gordon, we are always greatly appreciated all your hard working that you have done for us.
We are absolutely recommended him if you are looking for the lawyer who will work for your best interest.
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20 Aug, 2015 by Julia
Peter was so empathetic to our very particular and tricky situation. Very easy to talk to and was able to answer all the concerns we had. He was of great help and went above and beyond. Highly recommended.
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30 Dec, 2020 by Amin
Saam Takaloo came to our nonprofit's rescue at its most needed time and helped us recover from our contractor's unfair business practices. With him, expect the full force of their legal firm behind him as he lays out a sound plan to navigate any complexities that may come your way. We are grateful for his efforts, expertise, and commitment as he was always a step ahead throughout the legal process. We truly felt being in safe hands by having him by our side. Through strong representation, our contractor agreed to settle the case and accept our terms to cover the damages.
Our nonprofit owes Saam and his firm a great deal of gratitude for their services. As far as we are concerned, they are a true Five Star team.
Amin Siavush
President & Chair
CyVush Students Foundation
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03 Apr, 2014 by Brian
I have used Michael for over 10 years, mainly for Entertainment Law, but also for personal issues as well. He's always been on top of the situation, needs no prompting from me - quite the opposite; he's kept on me to make sure the key points are handled on time. He's very hardworking and more reasonably priced than most, considering his experience. Good legal counsel is often tough to find, and can vary according to expertise - Michael has also referred me to others when he knows something is outside his level of knowledge. Recommended.
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16 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Ms. Forman has represented my family business since 2007. Whether it be drafting and negotiating contracts with clients, defending the company against claims, or prosecuting mechanics’ liens, Ms. Forman obtains excellent results in the most efficient manner possible.
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04 Apr, 2015 by Rain
Attorney Page is the best she is so knowledgeable in every area of the law especially entertainment and put my mind at ease. She represented me in a case that I didn't think I could win and guess what, we Won! She is no longer in private practice and can no longer represent me any more. I miss her and wish her the best at the new law firm, they are lucky to have her.
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27 Dec, 2012 by Estevan
Many lawyers initially feigned interest but then disappeared. Mr Betinol kept responding and providing solutions to my situation. Best of all, his office worked with me to provide affordable solutions. When legal situations branched outside unknown variables, his next response impressively reassured me stating he already had an appointment scheduled to resolve the discrepancy. In a time where most businesses are out for profit and themselves, I think Mr. Betinol deserves a Humanitarian Award. Very helpful, very friendly, and very professional.
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13 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I worked with Michael for several years and always found him to be extra nice, as well as competent and caring. I recommend his services highly in whatever capacitiy.
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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.
