YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
What do Entertainment Lawyers do?
What Do Entertainment Lawyers Do?
Entertainment lawyers help clients in the entertainment industry understand legal issues and protect their rights. They provide legal services to individuals and companies in areas like film, TV, music, publishing, theater, sports, digital media, and more.
Key Responsibilities
Some of the main things entertainment lawyers do include:
– Negotiating contracts
Entertainment attorneys review, draft, negotiate, and sometimes litigate agreements like record deals, licensing contracts, employment agreements with producers, option/purchase agreements, profit participation agreements, and more.
– Protecting intellectual property
They help clients register copyrights, trademarks, patents, and understand how to legally protect creative ideas and work.
– Navigating industry regulations
Entertainment lawyers keep up with complex industry regulations around things like royalties, residuals, unions, standards and practices, FCC regulations, state film commission incentives, and more to ensure compliance.
– Handling litigation
When conflicts arise over contracts, rights, royalties payments, credits/billing, defamation, privacy rights, and other issues, entertainment lawyers can represent clients in mediation, arbitration, or court litigation.
Clients and Industries
The types of clients entertainment lawyers work with include:
Musicians, songwriters, composers, music producers
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Music
Film and TV
Theater
Publishing
Sports
Digital media
Within these areas, attorneys may develop niche specialties over time. For example, an entertainment lawyer might specifically focus on representing film producers or music touring artists or book publishers.
Education and Background
To become an entertainment lawyer, there are a few common steps:
Earn an undergraduate degree
Attend law school and earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree
Pass the bar exam to become licensed in your state
Gain experience through internships or clerkships during law school
Many entertainment lawyers start their careers at general practice law firms to gain foundational experience before specializing. Over time, they may transition into boutique law firms or open their own practices focused entirely on entertainment law.It’s also common for entertainment lawyers to have experience working within the entertainment industry first before going to law school. This hands-on background provides helpful context for representing clients down the road. For example, someone might work for five years as a talent agent or music producer and then decide to get their law degree and become an entertainment lawyer.No matter their path, the most successful entertainment attorneys are those passionate about entertainment and staying on top of industry trends and developments. It’s a very relationship-driven field, so building strong networks is also key.
Day-to-Day Work Environment
The daily work life of an entertainment lawyer varies greatly depending on factors like:
Firm size – Large firms have more support staff while solo practitioners handle more administrative work themselves
Client base – The needs of musician clients are very different than production company clients, for example
Deal volume – Some attorneys work on high volumes of smaller deals while others handle a few huge, complex deals at once
Despite these differences, common day-to-day entertainment lawyer tasks include:
Communicating with clients by phone and email
Reviewing agreements and documents
Researching issues coming up for clients
Drafting customized contracts and agreements
Negotiating deal points and terms
Navigating relationships between parties as a deal broker
Managing filing/registration of trademarks, copyrights, patents
Preparing clients for hearings, depositions, trials
Staying up to date on the latest entertainment industry news
The work environment itself also varies widely – while some attorneys work long hours at a law firm office, others have more flexibility to work remotely or run their own virtual practices.
Why Hire an Entertainment Attorney?
Here are some of the key reasons individuals and companies in entertainment hire lawyers to support them:Expertise navigating complex industry issues – Entertainment law intersects contract law, intellectual property law, litigation, and intricate industry regulations. An experienced attorney knows how to guide clients through the nuances.Negotiating favorable deals – Attorneys act as advocates in negotiations to structure agreements favorably for their clients. They identify problematic terms and push to get clients the best possible deal.Avoiding costly mistakes – From registration issues to contractual loopholes, legal mistakes in entertainment can lead to financial disaster or rights loss. Skilled lawyers help protect clients from oversights.
