Specialist in an already highly specialized area of law, entertainment litigators are attorneys specializing in resolving litigation and the various legal problems that an entity or individual involved in the entertainment industry may face. Entertainment law encompasses a huge and broad collection of legal topics, and attorneys wishing to work this specific branch of law must be familiar with state and federal laws involving everything from case law concerning the First Amendment, to contracts, to antitrust law, and everything in between.
Entertainment attorneys further specializing into litigation are also expected to resolve legal conflicts, and, if necessary, competently represent their client in the courtroom. Examples of some issues that an entertainment litigator may be expected to handle for their client include matters of copyright infringement, defamation against their client, contract disputes, privacy concerns, entertainment guild or talent agency disputes, as well as issues and complaints peculiar to the client’s industry (professional athletes may have issues that differ from those of a television actor or actress, which differ from those of a film star, etc.) The litigator must also be familiar with how certain laws may apply to public figures, which in very specific situations differ from how they apply to private citizens. Entertainment litigators may also be expected to act as general counsel and assist their clients with more mundane legal tasks, such as real estate transactions and tax issues, and so much be familiar with general law in the state in which they practice