<p>....thoughts? General advice? Career prospects? Etc?</p>
<p>I'm going to be a sophomore at a state school in the fall (UIUC) and am thinking about majoring in advertising and minoring in business. The subjects these two encompass genuinely interest me.
However, how will these look on my transcript when I'm applying to law schools? I'm well aware that I shouldn't pick my major based on what law schools want to see but...you know. Haha.</p>
<p>Anything at all would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>I'm going to Tulane next year (sophmore transfer), and I am already looking at possible law schools. I want to go to UCLA, one of the best entertainment law schools in the country. Im double majoring in Classics and political econonomy and minoring in buisness. Basically, law schools want to see high GPA and good LSAT. If advertising is something you are really interested with, and something that you think you can do well in, while learning enough anylitical skills such to do well on the LSATs then go ahead with it. Law schools like applicants from all different types of majors.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input! </p>
<p>On that note, what ARE the best schools to go to for entertainment law?</p>
<p>Again, any thoughts at all about the topic are welcomed and appreciated!</p>
<p>pretty much anywhere in Cali...UCLA, Stanford, UC Berkeley, etc. Also, entertainment law and intellectual property law have a lot in common, so places that are well-renowned for the latter would be excellent as well: George Washington, Columbia, Duke</p>
<p>I'm old school- so when I find an article I print it out-<br>
but on the "Top law school" website, there was an article about Best Entertainment Law schools and sport law schools (top-law-schools.com)
many of the schools listed were in Ca -UCLA, USC Loyola-Pepperdine and a few others
In NY- NYU- Columbia Cardoza
other schools listed
Tulane, Vanderbilt, Duke, Yale, Temple and a bunch more.</p>
<p>Cool, thank you for that info!</p>
<p>Does anyone have any info or opinion on the career pathway itself? I'm pretty much trying to plan out my life right now hahaha, so anything at all would be really great.</p>
<p>What kind of "entertainment law" do you want to practice? Do you want to deal with copyright issues? Antitrust? Contracts? Insurance? Finance? Representing studios? Independent filmmakers? Acting as an agent for talent? </p>
<p>There are many paths into each of these areas that may not be "entertainment law" specific. And "entertainment law" can be very broad.</p>
<p>There is no specialty called "entertainment law". Entertainment law refers to the type of clients a lawyer represents, namely, clients in the entertainment business. Just about any law school as courses dealing with intellectual property law and contracts. Any statutes addressing particular aspects of entertainment are things you can learn on your own as a lawyer. Joining the right law firms is how you get into the entertainment law business. Doing very well in law school is how you get into the right law firm.</p>
<p>Chedva-- That's where I honestly don't know...precisely because it IS so broad! That's what I'm trying to figure out, actually. I don't really know which areas have better career prospects, etc. </p>
<p>razor-- Yes, this is true...however, I know some law schools have specific "entertainment law" programs. Vandy I know for sure has one (<a href="http://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/academic-programs/technology--entertainment-law/index.aspx)...I'm">http://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/academic-programs/technology--entertainment-law/index.aspx)...I'm</a> not sure about any others! </p>
<p>Thanks so much :-) I'm really just beginning to learn about all this, so bear with me haha.</p>
<p>
[quote]
razor-- Yes, this is true...however, I know some law schools have specific "entertainment law" programs. Vandy I know for sure has one (<a href="http://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/academic-programs/technology--entertainment-law/index.aspx)...I'm">http://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/academic-programs/technology--entertainment-law/index.aspx)...I'm</a> not sure about any others!
[/quote]
If you look closely, you will see that the program is largely a repackaging of intellectual property and contracts law. The number of courses and varity of those courses does not appear to be materially different from the courses you can get at most other law schools with solid intellectual property programs.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt</a> University Law School :: Technology & Entertainment Law Curriculum</p>
<p>Entertainment law is a tough nut to crack. There are never enough openings for people who want to do it. The firms are in a position to take the cream of the crop so get the best grades you can from the best law school that will take you. Hopefully, you will be able to intern with or get a clerkship with a firm that does entertainment law so it would be helpful to be where the entertainers are. You still may not luck out because someone who knows someone in the business could still beat you out for the job. Entertainment generally is a lot of "who you know" and that can carry over into practicing law too.</p>
<p>razor-- Gotcha. That makes a lot more sense to me now, thank you! I'm assuming if I do a quick Google search for top IP law schools, I'll get a good list. Do you have any personal suggestions?</p>
<p>cartera-- Yeeeeah...I figured that would be the case, as it is in all areas of "show biz." Do you have any idea if certain schools that are "known" for entertainment and sports law (such as the ones marny mentioned up above) do a good job in helping graduates establish contacts, etc? </p>
<p>Thanks so much, everyone :-)</p>
<p>Here is what I would do. Start with your own career services office and pick their brains and see what they have with regard to alumni contacts. Then you can go to the law school at UIUC - talk to someone there about your interest and ask how you would go about getting in touch with a UIUC grad who is doing entertainment law. It would be great if you can talk to someone in career services. If they are no help - then go to </p>
<p>Lawyers</a>, Find a Lawyer, Law Firm & Attorney Directory - martindale.com </p>
<p>and do an advanced search for entertainment lawyers who went to Illinois. If you don't find someone who graduated from Illinois undergrad, then look for those who went there for law school. Email a couple - tell them your research into entertainment law careers led you to them and you are looking for some guidance into planning a career in entertainment law. Find out if they would be willing to meet with you or talk to you over the phone. Hopefully, there will be a few in Chicago. You have nothing to lose as long as you do this professionally and are prepared. Most graduates feel obligated or enjoy helping fellow grads and it's great experience for you. Who knows - maybe you could impress someone enough to get an internship next summer.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do you have any personal suggestions?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Most law schools have adequate intellectual property and contract courses. I would not select a law school based on whether it offers a program in entertainment law. Cartera is right that there are many factors affecting how you get into entertainment law. </p>
<p>Here is what I would do. I would ask the following questions. Where is the entertainment business located? What law schools in those areas offer at least four or five coures on intellectual property? Which of those law schools have intership or externship programs allowing students to gain access to entertainment law firms? Of those law schools where will I be the best student and obtain the highest class rank possible? </p>
<p>There are many lawyers seeking entertainment type clinets because they often have a lot of money. For you to get into a firm that handles these types of clients, you will have to have a high class rank and possibly make the law review. If I were you, I would take the hardest courses in your undergraduate program and focus on being the highest ranked student in those classes and not merely focus on getting an A. If you can get used to this type of competition, you will have a better shot at succeeding in law school.</p>