Contract review

[josephdaigle]

I have been offered a recording contract that I would like an appropriate lawyer to review. Any recommendations/suggestions?

[MattCurious]

Hi Joseph

Congratulations!

I'm a solicitor (attorney) in the UK. When we're looking for an expert second opinion, lawyers tend to use either:

The Legal 500: http://www.legal500.com/

Chambers and Partners: http://www.chambersandpartners.com/

Both are organised by jurisdiction (you want a lawyer who knows the law of the contract, which is normally specified in a clause towards the end).

Both rank firms and individuals at those firms in terms of quality, with the best ones tending to be the most expensive. If you get in touch with a firm they will give you a quote. There is still a temptation amongst lawyers to try to charge an hourly rate - insist on a fixed or capped fee so that you have certainty over your budget.

Best wishes
Matt

[hummingbird]

Good post Matt, those seem like useful resources. But in checking both I didn't see 'entertainment lawyer' as one of the categories. What umbrella would lawyers dealing with artist and composers usually be under? Thanks!

[MattCurious]

Thanks, and good shout. They would usually be under TMT - "technology, media and telecoms" - or, failing which, intellectual property (you tend to find less granular specialism outside of major legal centres - London, New York, LA, etc). But TMT would be my first port of call.

[melodymessiah]

don't even THINK of hiring an attorney unless it's someone who specialize in the MUSIC INDUSTRY. check out ben mclane or erin jacobson. they've both been on taxi tv giving advice.

[MattCurious]

@Melodymessiah - I'm not sure if you're responding to me, but "technology, media and telecoms" covers the music industry. There will be lawyers in the "media" part of TMT who specialise, and that will be clear from their profiles in the directories. Lawyers that don't specialise in the type of contract under discussion generally won't take it on, and will instead refer you to one of their colleagues.

There are also firms out there that do nothing but music / entertainment (smaller firms known as "boutique" firms), but I'm afraid I don't know of a free and easily navigated online directory to help find them. Others may know.

As helpful as Taxi TV is, and as knowledgeable as the Taxi team are, I would strongly recommend using a directory because the lawyers aren't included unless they have received positive feedback from their clients (who are interviewed by the people that compile the directories).

[Danny]

Joseph,

My Cousin is a Lawyer who specializes in entertainment.

If you need some info on him, PM me....