Entertainment Law in Regards to Your Business Plan

One of the first and most important aspects of starting a business plan is brushing up on the legalities one might face and employing a stellar lawyer who is savvy in the prospective line of work. Entertainment law is truly its own breed and has been a constantly changing beast as the industry has progressed and technologies have become more and more relevant. As an individual who strives to one day open their own live concert venue, a licensed entertainment attorney will be one of the first and most important additions to my team.  

Recently I was lucky enough to get the chance to interview Cecelia Lai, a solo practitioner and licensed entertainment attorney located in Plano, Texas who works out of her office, Cecilia Lai Law Office, PLLC. Lai attended Florida Coastal School of Law and works mainly in entertainment advising and negotiating. Her specialties include music and film legal issues that involve copyright laws.

Lai said that her interest was sparked in entertainment law when she began to work in the areas of media and copyright law in her previous journalism background and decided to pursue it as a full time career.

She said of her practice, “Whether it may be setting up their business entity, protecting and helping with the exploitation of their IP rights, and other licensing issues, artists need to thoroughly understand what those deals mean to them and I assist them in getting a fair and reasonable deal.”

I asked Lai, in her mind, how important she felt it was to seek legal council specifically related to entertainment business or events. She explained, “[It is] extremely [important]. Most individuals in the entertainment business seek legal advice when it is too late. Be sure you understand what rights you have and the reasoning behind why someone wants those rights. Otherwise it becomes an issue of why is he getting paid and I am not?”

Following up, I asked her what her advice would be for someone attempting to break into the entertainment business. She replied, “Thoroughly evaluate your prospective business and clients and whether your goals and expectations are realistic and attainable. And always enlist the help of a licensed entertainment attorney if you have any doubts.”