An entertainment lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in the entertainment industry, providing guidance and representation to clients in the entertainment world.

This would include musicians, actors, filmmakers, producers, writers, and influencers.

Their work often involves:

• Negotiating and drafting contracts
• Protecting intellectual property rights
• Securing licensing agreements
• Advising on business matters like royalties, distribution deals, and endorsements.

Because the entertainment world is fast-paced and highly competitive, these lawyers play a key role in ensuring that artists and creators are legally protected and fairly compensated for their work.

Like Entertainment Lawyer Samantha Herman.

“Because I work mostly in the entertainment space,” she told us, “there tends to be a lot of excitement and enthusiasm when my clients are embarking on a new artistic endeavor — as there should be! But then I come in to make sure that if the project doesn’t go as planned, we can institute measures to deal with those ramifications.”

Entertainment lawyers also help resolve disputes, whether it’s over creative control, unpaid earnings, or copyright infringement.

The national average salary for entertainment lawyers in the United States is $121,094, and ranges from $50,000 to $278,000¹.

When it comes to financial stability in an otherwise unstable industry, Entertainment Attorneys typically enjoy greater monetary health than most other specialties, and the top 86% of Entertainment Lawyers make more than $187,000 per year.

According to Herman, entertainment attorneys tend to be part of a team in a legal firm, as opposed to the norm of freelance work for many other roles in the industry.

“A law firm position is salaried with quite a lot of growth potential,” she said. “The most lucrative positions are at the partner level, which requires a lot of client acquisition.”

However, that’s not to say that Entertainment Lawyers can’t strike out on their own should that be their preference.

“For me, because I work for myself, I’m essentially a freelancer,” she said. “I have my standard hourly rates for the shorter-term projects. And for the longer-term projects, I will negotiate a flat fee commensurate with the project.”

The career outlook for an entertainment lawyer is very much tied to their choice of working as part of a legal firm or deciding to be an independent professional.

Herman has already mentioned that entertainment attorneys who work in a firm can enjoy an increasingly lucrative career, but there is a tradeoff.

For that financial boon, many entertainment lawyers can expect to work far more than the usual 40 hours per week. There is also the pressure to continually add clients to the roster to keep increasing the profitability of the firm.

Entertainment lawyers often work in major entertainment industry hubs such as Los Angeles or New York City. It’s important to note that to be licensed in a particular state, a would-be practicing entertainment lawyer must pass that state’s bar exam.

It’s hard to say what the future of entertainment law looks like, but here are some considerations:

• Streaming Services: The proliferation of streaming platforms has increased the demand for legal expertise in content licensing, intellectual property rights, and contract negotiations.
• Globalization: As the entertainment industry expands globally, there’s a growing need for lawyers adept in international law and cross-border agreements.​
• Digital Media: The rise of digital content and influencer marketing has introduced new legal challenges, creating opportunities for lawyers specializing in these areas.

First and foremost, you must pass the bar exam of the state in which you want to practice. Then you can join a law firm as a junior associate, and then eventually senior associate.

From there, you may make partner and potentially even a managing partner, which is the highest position within a firm.

As an aspiring entertainment lawyer in the film industry, it could really help you to write, direct, and/or produce something, like a short film.

For example, Herman produced a series of short films and music videos where she was able to combine her legal knowledge with her creative aspirations. She also produced multiple feature films, including one she co-wrote with her brother.

That experience led to Herman opening her own company.

“After all of that hands-on experience with my own projects, I concluded that this was something I wanted to continue, on my own terms, while also carving out the potential to write my own scripts,” she said. “I founded my company, Frankly, My Dear, and through that, I offer the business affairs services.”

You don’t have to start your own company of course. You can find work at a law firm, and Herman said there’s no job too small when you’re starting out.

“Any role at a law firm or studio in the business affairs department will provide a leg up,” she said. “There are also many student or low-budget films that can always use a helping hand. I would suggest looking for opportunities to get real-world experience on a film set, as that will give information on exactly what goes on and why and for whom contracts are necessary.”

Overall, Herman offers the following tips:

• Read the trades and online publications to stay informed about the entertainment industry.
• Take general meetings with anyone who is open to talking with you, as this industry is extremely relationship-driven.
• Volunteer or intern where and when possible.
• Be nice!

On top of getting the proper education and certifications, being a lawyer requires you to have a certain set of skills.

So here are the necessary skills to develop if you want to become a successful entertainment lawyer…

Relevant Experience

Complete internships or clerkships with entertainment law firms, production companies, record labels, or streaming services.

Gain early career experience as an associate in a corporate or intellectual property law firm.

Seek on-set or industry exposure through work with production teams, agencies, or legal departments at studios.

Core Legal Skills

You’ll need a strong ability to draft, analyze, and negotiate contracts.

You’ll need a deep understanding of intellectual property law, especially copyright and trademark.

It’s important to develop a proficiency in licensing and distribution agreements for film and television.

And you’ll need to know how to handle litigation and dispute resolution when needed.

Essential Soft Skills

This may be obvious, but you’ll need excellent written and verbal communication, especially when explaining legal concepts to non-lawyers.

You’ll want strong networking skills and the ability to build industry relationships, especially just starting out when you’re looking for your place in the industry.

You must have good business acumen and an understanding of how film financing and profit structures work.

Because you’ll be entrusted with confidential information, you’ll need a high level of discretion and professionalism in client interactions.

You must be able to adapt to evolving media, tech, and legal landscapes.

Industry-Specific Knowledge

It’s good to be familiar with the full film production process from development to post-production, which is why Herman recommends being a part of the creative process of a film.

You must also understand entertainment guild and union agreements, like SAG-AFTRA, DGA, and WGA.

Being a lawyer is one of those careers that pretty much requires a degree. You cannot practice law without passing your state’s bar exam, and attending university is the best way to prepare you for that.

First, you must earn an undergraduate degree — helpful majors include communications, business, political science, or film studies.

Second, you’ll need to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school. That is, unless you’re in California, which does not require a Juris Doctor degree to take the bar exam.

Additionally, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington don’t require the completion of law school to take the bar exam.

But, in addition to the knowledge, experience, and practice that law school can provide, you inevitably will have clients who may decide to go with another entertainment attorney should they learn that you don’t have a traditional educational background.

So, to set yourself up for a successful career, it will likely begin with law school.

Finally, pass the bar exam in the state where you plan to practice, especially California or New York for entertainment law.

Then you’ll be ready to practice entertainment law!

“I’m old-fashioned and I do my networking live and in person,” Herman said. “Though I am sure there are innumerable groups and trade organizations, especially in California.”

The following organizations and publications can also prove valuable resources:

• ABA’s Entertainment and Sports Lawyer
• Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association
• California Lawyers for the Arts
• International Association of Entertainment Lawyers (IAEL)
• National Society of Entertainment & Arts Lawyers