Tips For Selecting An Entertainment Attorney

5. Have a Meeting.

Most attorneys will waive their usual hourly fee for the first consultation. At this consultation meeting you'll want to:

A. Ask the attorney about his/her basic philosophy of life. Why? Because this will help you understand his/her worldview, a significant relationship component. If your worldview turns out to be diametrically opposed to the attorney's, it probably means you're not a good match for each other.

B. Inquire about the extent and quality of the attorney's pertinent industry contacts.

C. Find out how the fee structure would work to avoid any misunderstandings.

A note on legal fees: Sometimes you'll need legal counsel for short-term projects like putting together the appropriate performance and partnership agreements, trademarking your business/band name, incorporating your business, and copyright registration. These kinds of projects are usually paid for as a "flat fee" based on the attorney's hourly rate.

Longer-term projects and legal representation to the music industry (to labels, publishers, merchandise companies, etc.). These are often paid in "points" (percentage points) of contract advances and/or future royalties.

D. Feel the vibe--Trust your instincts.

6. Do-(some of)-it-Yourself.

A lot of groundwork can be done by yourself when it comes to short-term legal needs. For example, modern communication technologies like the Internet, let you do a national trademark search from your desktop. For tips on this and other do-it-yourself legal resources contact Nolo Press or call (510) 549-1976 for their free self-help law books and software catalog. It's the best in the business.

7. Another first-stage option

For longer-term legal projects is the VLA (Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts). Founded in 1969, VLA was "the first legal aid organization in the U.S. dedicated to providing free or low-cost arts-related legal assistance to artists and arts organizations in all creative fields who cannot afford provate counsel." You must apply for assistance and there is an application fee. The main VLA office is in NY (212/977-9271; 1285 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd flr., New York, NY 10019) and they have satellite offices all over the country.