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10 Best Law Schools for Entertainment Law

September 22, 2023
4 min read
Contents

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Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 9/20/23

Below, we’ll outline the best law schools for entertainment law in the country. 

Students attending law school lecture

If you're passionate about the intersection of law and entertainment, choosing the right law school is crucial to launching your career in this dynamic field. In this article, we've compiled a list of the top 10 law schools that offer exceptional programs and opportunities for aspiring entertainment lawyers. 

Let’s get started!

The Top 10 Best Entertainment Law Schools

Take a look at this table breaking down a few key statistics for the country’s top 10 entertainment law schools.

Law School Acceptance
Rate
Median LSAT Score Median GPA Tuition
UCLA Law School 15.5% 170 3.92 $56,455
Harvard Law School 9.5% 174 3.93 $73,600
USC Gould School of Law 13.0% 168 3.82 $76,438
UC Berkeley Law School 12.5% 170 3.87 $74,994.50
Columbia Law School 11.8% 173 3.87 $78,444
Southwestern Law School 47.0% 154 3.35 $58,392
Cardozo Law School 33.8% 164 3.76 $69,826
Loyola Law School 34.4% 159 3.56 $64,890
Brooklyn Law School 46.2% 160 3.54 $69,800
UPenn Law School 9.7% 172 3.92 $71,266

Want to learn more about these schools? Keep reading!

1. UCLA Law

UCLA campus

UCLA stands out as a top choice for aspiring entertainment lawyers for several reasons. Its prime location in Los Angeles, the epicenter of the entertainment industry, offers unparalleled access to internships, externships, and networking opportunities with industry professionals from companies like Disney, Netflix, and Lionsgate.

Students can opt for a specialized curriculum or select individual courses and experiential opportunities. The faculty at UCLA Law includes accomplished experts, which ensures students receive the highest level of education and guidance in this specialized field. 

2. Harvard Law

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law is highly regarded for its exceptional legal education, and its entertainment law program is no exception. Students have the opportunity to develop a unique skill set taken from various legal fields, including corporate, labor, copyright, and antitrust law. 

By studying, researching, and practicing alongside leading experts in these fields, students gain invaluable insights and expertise that are essential for careers within the arts, entertainment, and sports industries.

3. USC Gould School of Law

City of Los Angeles

USC Law School’s prime location offers unrivaled opportunities for students to engage with media, entertainment, and technology law. The curriculum uniquely combines a practice-oriented approach, offering hands-on problem-solving experiences and business insights. 

USC places equal emphasis on transactional and litigation practice, fostering active learning through skills workshops. Simulation and skills courses prepare students for real-world scenarios in content and technology markets. 

4. UC Berkeley Law

Berkeley Law School at University of California

Source: UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley’s entertainment law program is a trailblazer in the field, blending the university's renowned legal expertise with the vibrant arts and tech scene of the San Francisco Bay Area. With a diverse curriculum encompassing entertainment, media, and intellectual property law, students gain a holistic understanding of the industry. 

5. Columbia Law School

Columbia University campus

Columbia Law School offers a diverse curriculum and grants students access to New York City's thriving entertainment industry. This facilitates a comprehensive understanding of copyright, media, and intellectual property law.

Due to the law school’s esteemed reputation, students also benefit from extensive networking opportunities with industry leaders, empowering them to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of this dynamic field

6. Southwestern Law School

Female law student on campus

Among the pioneers of entertainment law education, Southwestern prepares students for a robust career within the film, television, music, and advertising industries. 

Southwestern’s strong mentorship network, comprehensive externship programs, and an esteemed journal empower aspiring lawyers to navigate the dynamic landscape of entertainment and media law with confidence and expertise.

7. Cardozo Law

Union Square, New York City

With a focus on trademark, copyright, patent, and privacy law, Cardozo’s entertainment law program ensures students gain invaluable subject-specific knowledge critical for success in creative industries.

It offers rigorous academic coursework, externships, clinics, and conferences featuring industry leaders to introduce students to the practical realities of counseling clients, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

8. Loyola Law School

Los Angeles, CA palm trees and skyline

Loyola is renowned for its Entertainment Law Fellowship Program, an initiative that trains the next generation of entertainment industry leaders in partnership with Hollywood’s top studios and law firms. 

Offering hands-on experience, Loyola equips aspiring entertainment lawyers with essential tools through dynamic courses, from representing diverse talent to drafting major motion picture contracts.

9. Brooklyn Law School

Brooklyn, NY bridge and buildings

Brooklyn Law School offers a distinguished Intellectual Property, Media, and Information Law certification program. Students also have the opportunity to gain practical experience through a specialized sports law externship course, with placements at nearby sports teams, league headquarters, and agencies. 

These programs prepare students for success in the dynamic world of entertainment and sports law.

10. UPenn Law

UPenn Law School campus

Source: UPenn Law School

While UPenn Law may not traditionally brand itself as a top entertainment law school, its rich curriculum, access to industry leaders, and diverse experiential opportunities allow students to gain comprehensive insights into entertainment law. 

FAQs: Best Entertainment Law Schools

Still have questions about the best entertainment law schools? Take a look at these frequently asked questions.

1. What Is the Best School for Entertainment Law?

UCLA is currently the best school for entertainment law.

2. Is Entertainment Law Hard to Get Into?

Breaking into entertainment law can be challenging due to strong competition for law school admission and industry positions. Success often requires dedication, networking, and expertise in intellectual property law.

3. How Much Do Top Entertainment Lawyers Make?

Top entertainment lawyers make $138,000 per year across the United States.

4. What Is an Entertainment Lawyer?

An entertainment lawyer provides legal counsel to individuals, companies, and organizations involved in various entertainment sectors, such as film, television, music, sports, and the arts. Their work often involves negotiating contracts, handling intellectual property rights, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right law school for a career in entertainment law is crucial. Whether it's UCLA's prime location in the heart of the entertainment industry or Loyola's innovative fellowship program, attending one of the best law schools for entertainment law will provide the foundation you need to thrive in various sectors of this dynamic field.

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