The foremost concern of prospective law students should revolve around curriculum offerings in media and entertainment law. This area covers many topics affecting creative industries, including copyright, trademarks, patents, intellectual property, antitrust law and contract law. Students should also look for classes emphasizing a particular type of media and entertainment, such as the music and motion picture industries. Additional coursework in negotiation and deal-making may also help to develop relevant professional skills. Law schools with a broad offering of entertainment and media-related classes will better prepare graduates. Schools with this type of curriculum include UCLA School of Law in Los Angeles, New York University School of Law in New York and Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. Prospective students might also consider law schools that grant a certificate or Master of Laws degree in media and entertainment law; UCLA and Southwestern are among these schools.
Prospective law students should also look for schools with strong externship programs, through which they can earn academic credit while employed with law firms and creative industry organizations. Law graduates with externship experience often have specific professional experience, more contacts and better-developed resumes. Law schools located in areas alongside prominent media and entertainment industry organizations may be able to offer more connections to alumni already employed in relevant jobs. These geographic areas center around southern California and New York City, such as UCLA, Southwestern, NYU and Fordham University.
Law schools also demonstrate a well-developed academic program in media and entertainment law program by supporting a related law journal or law review publication. For example, Southwestern and Fordham both offer student-run law journals publishing articles on media and entertainment law topics. Students serve as editors for the journal and gain experience with writing and editing on the topic. Additionally, the journals encourage students to research and write their own papers.
Law schools with strong media and entertainment law programs also present events related to the field. Events held by UCLA, NYU, Southwestern and Fordham include research symposia and colloquia during which academics, lawyers and entertainment industry leaders can meet and discuss legal topics and cutting-edge issues. Law students who participate can often make valuable professional contacts.