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01 Dec, 2017 by Mark
Derek is helping me navigate the difficult waters of getting a music LLC set up and off the ground. He's very personable and knows the ins and outs of the music biz extremely well.
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22 Nov, 2016 by Manuel
Derek was thorough in learning what my exact needs were and the best way to address them. He was easy to communicate with throughout the process and was very responsive to my questions.
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08 Nov, 2016 by Brandon
I run a small business in the entertainment industry and Derrick has been nothing but helpful. We reffer every one we work with to him for legal services! He helps with the DIY information and he is also willing to do it for you! All around great guy! A+ in my book.
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04 Jan, 2019 by Danny
Joe is fair and honest in his dealings. His advice and expertise have proven time and again to enhance my business pursuits and facilitate my goals.
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30 Jan, 2013 by Randy n.
Joe Pia's responsiveness demonstrates a solution-oriented and client-comes-first mantra -- which helps to restore my trust in the legal system. PADRM is on the short list for one of the best firms in the State of Utah; the PADRM scorecard could compete and go toe-to-toe with any firm nationwide. I finally found a firm that can both bill accurately and follow exact instruction. This and other aspects have allowed our firm and PADRM to create a dynamic attorney-client partnership. PADRM is now our trusted counselor and advisor on all legal matters. Without reservation, I highly recommend PADRM for any personal or corporate legal need.
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30 Jan, 2013 by Matthew
Joe Pia is a world-class attorney who brings a keen mind and understanding of the law. Joe approaches cases from a solution-oriented stand-point, which helps in finding quick resolution for his clients. Furthermore, his interpersonal skills, in-and-out of the court room, has greatly benefited our firm, and would be beneficial to any client looking for expedited solutions to their cases. Joe is truly an advisor and counselor to his clients.
I highly recommend Joe and his firm, PADRM for any personal or corporate work.
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26 Jul, 2020 by Jesse
Scott represented my interests in a divorce case. My experience with Scott was excellent. He listened to my needs and provided realistic expectations. I hope I never need another attorney for a similar situation but was very grateful to have him in my corner through a difficult time.
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10 Nov, 2016 by Matt
Scott has done great work for me on two occasions and in both he has been very helpful at explaining and helping me understand the various details and issues involved in the case(s). He's a master communicator, and his advice has be sound. Scott has always been patient with me when I need help understanding the steps involved in litigation and I trust him to represent me and anyone in my circle of friends.
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03 Jun, 2017 by David taylor
Mark took my case when other attorneys thought my case would be too difficult. He was pleasant, very organized and detailed, and took the time to explained everything I needed to know. He was empathetic to the situation I was going through, and made me feel secure and confident. Mark is someone I can trust and respect, which tends to be hard to find these days.
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25 Feb, 2016 by Steven
Mark is an exceptional attorney and well worth every penny paid. He represented me in many different proceedings. I always knew what was going on and that every effort would be made to accomplish the goals we decided upon. He will give you a straight answer to your legal questions so you know what to expect.
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15 Feb, 2024 by Shibakuzo shibakuzo
Ladies, if you are getting divorced, this is the place you want to go, specifically Bart Johnson's team. Bart in particular will comfort and console you and even take you to his home in the avenues and sleep with you. Pictures of him and his clients have been taken exiting and kissing outside of his home, he prefers women of authority, like a doctor or a principal at a school as examples. If you want them to win a case for you however, that is where they lack. They file a lot, but don't succeed in much other than waste your money but at least you get screwed in more ways than one.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Shawn iverson
Zack Winzeler has been great to work with over the past couple of years dealing with two issues we have had. He took care of both issues in a timely and financially fair manner. Dealing with employment law, non-competes and employment contracts, Zack Winzeler is my go to attorney. Thank you, Zack!!!
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07 Nov, 2023 by Brett eliason
I engaged John Snow to represent me in March of 2023 with the only request being to remove a Trustee who had embezzled millions of dollars from a family Trust. The issue with it was that it implicates Kirton McConkie in the fraud so I made certain Parsons Behle had no problem going after “The Lords Lawyers” to which John responded “of course not”
On April 14th 2013 he issued a letter to KMC law requesting answers to various questions but in the end has nothing to do with removing the Trustee.
KMC Law refused to respond and John brought in Angus Edwards and Mindy Kids to assist. On June 7th or almost two months later Mr Edwards sent the exact letter knowing there would be no response..
August 9th 2023 the three attorneys filed an unrelated derivative claim against my siblings but did confirm the KMC fraud within the body; but just refused to add KMC as a defendant in this $100M estate case.
August 18th The attorneys filed amended complaint forgetting to add the summons. They refiled three weeks later on Sept 12th but forgot to verify the complaint.
Oct 3rd; I complained to John Snow via emails to which he responded “I do not have the time to read or respond to your questions and we are “done”!
I paid approx $75k in fees and accruals to have a trustee removed and instead I was dropped the day before the hearing in which I was forced to go pro se against KMC who Judge Faust let off with a false Jurisdiction issue.
He wasted 7 months of my life; took all of my money; and left me with no representation to face the law firm who refuses to account for my parents $100m estate which has been embezzled by my sister and Craig McCullough through “The Old Switcheroo”…
Please review case# 230905835 wherein John Snow states Mr McCullough KMC Law has a Professional Conflict of interest and everything the law firm did should be “void”
When asked why he refused to go after KMC Law and stand behind his words; he responded “just because I said it does not mean it is true”.
All that Parsons and the three attorneys needed to say last March is “sorry; we have a conflict of interest”. But chose instead to breach their fiduciary duty to me and my daughters in favor of apparently keeping their fiduciary duty to the most prestigious religiously affiliated law firm in Utah..
I’m speechless as to how cold hearted and ruthless these attorneys are I’ve been dealing with for four years while being prohibited to see my own dad who is still alive and abandoned by KMC Law who he paid hundreds of thousands in fees to have them protect him; and not my sister Lisa Stephens and her husband Bryan..
Greed is a terrible curse..
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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.
