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11 Feb, 2023 by Claudia
I needed a consultation about possible defamation events before publishing my first book. Joan explained everything in easy (non lawyer) terms and prepared a release form for me. So now, everybody signs it and I am ready to go.
Joan answered my email super quick and the payment was hustle free. Now waiting for my book to be a New York Bestseller.
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11 Feb, 2023 by Iris
Joan assisted me with the establishment of my business. Years later she continues to provide good legal assistance and advice. I appreciate her guidance and attention to details.
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08 May, 2020 by Pamela
I hired Joan to look over my 12 year old daughter's modeling contract.She was helpful in explaining what everything meant in the contract and even looked up the agency to determine if it looked reputable.She shared her knowledge as a Mom of a child model which was very helpful.
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25 Feb, 2015 by Deanna
Working with Tom Dunlap of Dunlap Bennett and Ludwig was a delightful experience. My husband and I needed to do estate planning, but didn't know where to begin. Tom guided us through the process and educated us on the various options and choices we needed to make to address all aspects of our estate planning. He was detail oriented, informative, and answered all our questions in a language we could understand. We would highly recommend Tom; he is knowledgeable, reliable, and trustworthy while still having a sense of humor which made him professionally and personally enjoyable to work with. We were also really impressed with the friendly and helpful support staff at the office in Leesburg, VA.
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10 Oct, 2014 by Jonathan
Thanks for the great advice this gentlemen is still a great deal of help today I recommend to anyone in the music industry are with any trademark, copyright, patent concerns or issues definitely the attorney you want to talk to first. I look forward to doing more business in the near future with Thomas Dunlap . Keep up the great work.
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19 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Tom was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He listened to the issue, reviewed the contract in question and left me with the piece of mind of knowing that the contract worked in my favor. He advised me on how to proceed as well as provided additional legal resources. Received great legal advise and would definitely contact him again.
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08 Dec, 2017 by Orin
Seth and his firm have provided services for my company over the years including contracts and employment related matters. Seth is an exceptional attorney and one of the brightest people I know.
He has a deep knowledge of the law in all of his areas of expertise. I highly recommend Seth and his firm.
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06 Feb, 2024 by Antiniece cribb
Mr.Land is a great lawyer, Mr. Land and his assistant Marrietta kept communication open answered all my questions and was able to get me some assistance through the process and a nice settlement
Thank you so much
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02 Dec, 2023 by Karen lw
Mr. Land has handled several accidents for me, and had been nothing but kind, caring, and always willing to listen. He is one of the finest and fairest attorneys I’ve known.
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24 Jul, 2023 by Elisa l. ocasio
Mr. Land is very professional yet approachable and very obviously experienced in his field. He and his assistant, Marrietta were extremely polite to us and transparent with each step of the process. We are very glad we chose him as our lawyer through our unfortunate case. We were in and out of the courtroom fast as well.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Melissa hosek
Sarah was so helpful in helping my mother, brother, and I with our issue. She was so helpful and answered all of our questions with patience and clarity and helped us find a good solution in the midst a lot of confusion for us.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Steve wallace
31 Jul, 2024 by Shelly hampton
Great experience, very timely, very knowledgeable!
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17 Sep, 2024 by Joshua bohr
08 Sep, 2024 by Jeremy krueger
Kathryn and the other folks at Shaheen Law Firm were fantastic to work with. They were timely with communication, very thorough, and called me with any information and updates as we went through the closing process on my new home. Friendly from start to finish - I would recommend this group to anyone for the closing of their home in the Virginia Beach area.
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01 Sep, 2024 by Gail wilson
Robin was polite, professional, proficient, and prompt. She made the closing process, which can be nerve- wracking, as easy and uncomplicated as possible. She responded to all of my emails quickly, and she never seemed annoyed with my multitude of questions. Thank you Robin and Shaheen Law Firm.
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01 Oct, 2024 by E'nasia peterson
My family and I called multiple lawyers but due to the short notice to appear in court we had no luck. We called Dannenbaum Law Firm two separate times for consultation and the second time was a charm. Despite the short notice, we met with attorney Dan for consultation, he accepted our case and two weeks later we were in family court. Dan is professional, knowledgeable, and efficient in our dealings for protective order and child custody. Dan was thorough, very timely, and made the process easy. I highly recommend Dan for anyone who needs legal assistance.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Cody
Daniel has been excellent. He is always available night or day. His rates are reasonable for the area and definitely worth it. He's knowledgeable and thorough. He's a calming force in turbulent situations.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Bryan hill
This guy took advantage of me. He did not do what was in my and my children's best interest. He lied repeatedly to me and took my money until I had none left. He was awful. He did not care. Insanely insensitive and selfish.
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17 Sep, 2024 by Gerald tolentino
Very satisfied with results from Mr. Curcione. He'll tell you what you need to know and what to do, regardless of how much you've screwed up in multiple occasions and situations, he does not give up and knows the law very well. He was able to dropped and closed false accusation cases and investigations against me which has been a long arduous process. Highly recommend if you're dealing with PPO and, as active duty service member, he worked with me through NCIS investigation, as well. Highly recommend to any and all criminal cases!
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12 Sep, 2024 by Brandon garcia
Curcione Law is awesome, he was very professional and helped me out more than I can put into words. I hope I never need his services again, but if I do he's the first person I'm calling. Anyone in need of legal help Mr. Curcione should be the first person you set an appointment with
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04 Sep, 2024 by Marvin martinez rod
The best service I’ve experienced. Reduces my reckless driving to speeding and did not have to worry about any jail time.
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08 Aug, 2024 by Lisa morris
05 Jul, 2024 by Richard forensky
Consulting Ethan Tidwell was an absolute godsend during my complex divorce case that involved the nightmare complexities of custody issues, finances, and an abusive/vindictive ex-spouse who falsely spread accusations about me during the divorce in an attempt to secure sole custody and leave the state with my children. And prevent my children from having a relationship with their father. Whenever Ethan was available for consultation, he was consistent in providing extremely valuable, honest, and reliable information. I was impressed in how I could ask Ethan any question and he always had an answer right away backed by extensive knowledge, objective facts, and a strong understanding of the inner workings of family court. He is also able to remember facts well and can regurgitate granular details from our conversations of months prior. This gave me confidence in speaking to him about my case. His guidance helped me in not only the legal aspects of my case but also in maintaining a positive bearing during what was one of the most emotionally-difficult periods of my life. Ethan has a good grasp of knowing what is important and what isn't, which often provided relief for me on many occasions when I was overstressed out about something. He gave solid guidance prior to my custody/fact finder evaluation. Ethan was always available in some form or fashion, which is rare with busy attorneys. If Ethan was in trial or mediation, he would always make a transparent attempt to let me know what he was doing whenever he was available to do so. And after he would reach back out, which speaks to his ability to juggle many cases at once. I have personally witnessed how he works hard around the clock. I remain more than impressed in how he continued to provide support for my case despite sometimes having to travel long distances within the state of California to represent his clients in other counties/jurisdictions as not all of his cases remain solely in Los Angeles. Additionally, Ethan is a family man and somehow has found a balance between being an active father and supporting me during my divorce. To me, this speaks to his time management, character, and credibility of being an attorney who cares despite all that life will throw at one in their personal life. I have a lot of respect for him not only as a professional, but also as a friend. Thank you Ethan!
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23 Mar, 2024 by Chris leach
Hiring Boyd law was a very wise investment that paid off big time!! I had the pleasure of working with Joshua Fabian for 10-months who was kind, caring, savvy, diligent and highly effective in securing excellent outcomes, both in discovery and at trial.
Joshua's team Ashley, Rick and Sammy were super helpful and very responsive throughout the entire process. Joshua truly cares about his clients, he plays fair and his skills inside the courtroom was a pleasure to watch.
Joshua successfully protected my family from opposing parties attorneys fees requests! I am beyond grateful for being able to have Joshua litigate my case and hiring Boyd Law was the best decision I could have made! Thank you to the entire Boyd Law family, I am extremely grateful. Chris.
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09 Nov, 2019 by Fermin gonzalez
26 Oct, 2019 by Anthony powell
08 Apr, 2019 by Mohamad alhindi
09 Nov, 2019 by Fermin gonzalez
26 Oct, 2019 by Anthony powell
08 Apr, 2019 by Mohamad alhindi
06 Jun, 2024 by Tamanna akter
08 May, 2024 by Miles godin
This is nothing but a funnel for Leonard Leo to give judges lavish gifts and creates distrust with the public. Aileen Cannon took 2 undisclosed trips each about $10k which she recently disclosed. This should've been disclosed before she was accepted on the Mara Lago Documents case!!!!!!
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10 Feb, 2024 by M b
I just think everyone needs to hear that they originally named the school ASSLaw (Antonin Scalia School of Law). That should tell you everything you need to know about the academic prowess of these Federalist Society far-right Supreme Court wannabes.
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22 Mar, 2022 by Theresa stafford
Larry Stein was initially recommended to me by a colleague. In 2019, I was contemplating filing an EEO complaint, and I reached out to Larry to inquire about legal representation. I was incredibly impressed with Larry’s attentiveness as I summarized the issues I was experiencing with my agency. He explained the law and offered me insights about whether I had a viable case. He also advised me to contact him if anything changed. A year later, a significant change occurred. I immediately contacted Larry and retained him for my EEO case, which continued for 20 months. Larry provided me with exceptional representation. He was a consummate professional who made himself available even after regular working hours. He has a strong character and demonstrates empathy with his clients. Given his high-level of experience, I felt comfortable and confident when relying on his professional judgment. I trusted Larry to make the right decision, and he always did. We eventually reached a resolution in my case in my favor thanks to Larry’s dedication and hard work. I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of my case and with my experience working with Larry, who treated me as if I was a member of his family. Based on my experience, I strongly recommend Larry Stein to anyone in need of representation.
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25 Sep, 2021 by Lyndsey thackston
Mr Stein was an absolute delight to work with. He took the time to help me navigate a simple ADA accommodation issue and empowered me to have the right language to advocate for myself. I would recommend him a million times over.
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04 Nov, 2020 by Deborah parker
Larry Stein is an Excellent Attorney. He is very professional, extremely knowledgeable, well versed in all aspects of the law. His expertise is shown in the results for his clients. We are extremely please with the results, he represented our case expeditiously and the results were favorable. He is an A++ attorney that truly advocates for positive settlements for his clients.
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04 Mar, 2024 by Seth wood
17 Nov, 2022 by Jee ess
I am an author and was excited to consult with this firm. I signed up for a 30 minute phone appt, and received a confirmation email. Sadly, the attorney never called, and I received no messages or emails advising me of what happened.
ETA: Response to Law Firm's post:
Difficulty contacting me? Most peculiar. You have both my phone number and email address, as this was required to set the appointment.
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09 Nov, 2022 by Lainie gratz
Kirk and Joan work relentlessly for their client's causes and are extremely knowledgeable...boasting years of experience, and are overall just good people. I would definitely turn to them in need.
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07 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Terrible Attourney. She will not put effort into your case. She is unorganized and unresponsive once paid. If you want to loose , hire her. Avoid like the plague
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28 Apr, 2014 by Nakia
Attorney McLauchlin represented me in a custody case. I was told when she was first assigned to me that she was the best and she definitely proved herself as being just that. She was patient when dealing with me but she did everything in her power to defend me. She worked hard to make sure the outcome was in my favor and I owe her my life.
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06 Sep, 2023 by Miracle parish
Terribly rude assistant answered the phone. Would not recommend this company.
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07 Oct, 2022 by John mcbride
A true group of lying criminals. Presented false evidence to the fairfax court was a direct cause of me being beaten half to death. Is why I am homeless and disabled. Also due to this firm I stand a very high risk of losing my leg and possibly my life from being forced to live outside for a year.
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22 Apr, 2022 by Nina snodgrass
06 May, 2017 by Anonymous
My case was for an annulment based on fraud and Ms. Wright took it head on. She explained legal strategies in a way that could be understood by someone without law experience and set realistic expectations for the outcome. She readied me for testimony by providing a list of questions and prepared answers to make sure I would remember to include all of the pertinent facts on the stand. It's easy to be nervous and forget, but since I studied her guide, I was able to focus on facts without rambling on a tangent.
Unexpectedly, the judge announced my hearing would be completed on that day when two half-days were scheduled. Ms. Wright and I were blindsided because we expected to have time to prepare for cross examinations. Despite this challenge, she remained focused and on her feet for an entire day and didn't skip a beat. I could hardly keep my eyes open but she improvised, asked all the right questions and kept in the game for 6-1/2 hours. It was a long hard day.
Ms. Wright thinks fast on her feet. She's sharp, strategic, focused, has a great memory and has a winning mindset. As a bonus, she is very easy to work with and maintains friendly professionalism.
The annulment was granted! Ms. Wright made it happen and I am forever grateful that she agreed to represent me. I would refer her to anyone.
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18 Jun, 2013 by Gina
Ms. Wright returned my phone call within a couple of hours of my email from AVVO. Because I could not answer my phone right away, she left her cell phone number for me to return her call. I reached her right away. Although she was on the road, she listened to my concerns and answered all of my questions. She was considerate and knowledgeable. I really appreciated her concern for my case and I will definitely call upon her again.
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06 Jan, 2011 by James
This Attorney would generally not return phone calls and emails. I literally pleaded with her to keep me up to date and informed, because I was so desperate about my legal matters, but she simply ignored my requests, except for a few isolated times. Once I fired her, she gave me a final bill, which was more expensive than I expected.
During our initial one hour consultation, which I was charged for, she did not even have the court order paperwork printed out, which I sent to her prior to the meeting. So she had to take 5-8 minutes and print it out as I sat there waiting; and then she had to read it over. I was disappointed that she was not prepared for the meeting.
By far the worst part was that this Attorney acknowledged that I am due the remainder of the retainer, but the she stopped communicating with me. She provided me with the invoice, which even stated that she still owes me, but she simply ignored all my communication attempts, including, to answer my phone calls, emails, and even personal messages left with the receptionist in her office.
By the way, the Wright Law Firm, operated by Marcia Wright, has only one Attorney actively working there, which is Ms Wright herself. I was so hurt that she would refuse to give me the several hundred dollars back, since it was mid November, and Christmas was approaching. I could have used the money. It is now January and still not a peep from her.
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17 Sep, 2024 by Johnny mckinney
Horrible people along with all those involved in the 3M earplug lawsuit. Between this firm and Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz they are making sure anyone who should be paid from this get very little. Several other veterans have also said they have been screwed out of this settlement and have gotten little to nothing. We are the ones who have to live with the constant ringing or hearing loss not any of you in these firms! This whole thing from this from that has trickled down is sketchy and I am sure they are pocketing more than they should.... all of them.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Benjamin whitcher
I have tried to contact this firm they say contact your primary counsel yet they are responsible for distributing the payment and Despite having all the proper documentation for my 3m settlement they passed me over for payment so now I have no idea when or if I will ever get paid I am a 100 percent disabled veteran and could really use the money I am going to report them to the Judge responsible for this lawsuit for paying out of order according to the fifo numbers and I think I am going to sue them for breach of contract and compensation for lost time lost for having to track down documentation that was their responsibility to find in the first place.
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13 Aug, 2024 by --
50% in legal fees from a settlement is truly obscene. Greedy lawyers need to go out of business
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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.
