For those of you considering the career path of a music attorney, I’ve gathered together some of the many practical resources available to you on ArtistsHouseMusic.

First up is an article on “How Lawyers Get Paid,” by music industry entrepreneur, George Howard. Since this may be your livelihood one day, let’s start with the money flow. 

Next, some words of advice from Donald Passman. Don is one of America’s foremost entertainment lawyers and author of All You Need to Know About the Music Business, widely considered to be the single most essential and influential book ever written about how the music industry works. Here is Don’s description of what a music lawyer actually does.

Don truly believes that the key to having a successful career is passionate about what you do. Here, Don shares his thoughts on why he became an entertainment lawyer.

According to Don, the best way to become a music lawyer is to become a really good lawyer first. Go to the best law school, get the best grades that you can, become a great lawyer and then pursue a position at a firm that specializes in music law or a company that has a music law staff.

To see more interview segments with Donald Passman, visit this page.

Michelle Singer is the Director of Business and Legal Affairs for Jazz and Classics at Blue Note Records. Michelle offers the following advice. Go to the best law school that you can. Work in a good traditional law firm. Get experience and learn to work well with others. Once you have experience in a traditional law firm, you can take your career to the next level through experience and networking.

To see more interview segments with Michelle Singer, visit this page.

Richard Greene, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at EMI CMG explains that music attorneys get their training “on the job” because most law schools do not have a music attorney-specific program. Richard describes his company’s internship program and the hiring opportunities available there. A common theme in all of these music attorney-related interview segments is to take advantage of internship opportunities. Richard stresses the importance of doing an internship to make connections and discover your strengths as you embark on your new career as a music attorney.

Before we close, let’s spend a little time on to the other side of the desk. What do musicians (your potential clients) look for in a music attorney? George Howard wrote an excellent article on the subject entitled “Finding the Right Lawyer.” It has some good things to keep in mind when you consider the needs of your prospective client-base.

We’ve heard from five experts here and the messages are clear: do what you love, go to the best school, get good grades, participate in an internship program, start at a traditional firm, network, build a reputation, and you will be well on your way to a flourishing career as a music attorney.

Wishing you the best of success!