Fortunate Son: Practice is hard work, with some gold record moments, entertainment lawyer says
Practicing entertainment law is “not for the faint of heart,” says Jason M. Karlov, the chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s entertainment, media and sports practice group.
It “requires hard work and stick-to-itiveness,” says Karlov, who has worked with legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan and John Fogerty. According to him, his clients come almost exclusively through referrals.
“You need to be smart, personable and willing to spend a lot of your personal time to help people in the business of art. If you don’t love that, … then it may not be the job for you,” says Karlov, who recently spoke at an ABA virtual conference on entertainment law.
One of the job’s perks is meeting musicians such as Buddy Guy, David Bowie and Paul McCartney.
“There’s a saying that you should never meet your heroes because their flaws will inevitably let you down,” he says. “But that was not my experience at all. Each of them inspired me in their own way and reaffirmed my decision to become an entertainment lawyer.”
A partner in the law firm’s Los Angeles office, Karlov recently answered questions about his practice, offering a peek into the business of entertainment law.
Did you always know that you wanted to be an entertainment or music lawyer?
Yes, since I was 14 years old, when I read Brett Easton Ellis’ novel Less Than Zero. From then, I geared my life and career toward being a music lawyer. I had a small label and worked with young bands through college in anticipation of going to law school to become a music attorney.
What does your work entail exactly?
The practice of entertainment law is constant; if you’re not practicing moment to moment all the time, then you’re not doing the best for your clients. During my career, I have worked on nearly every legal matter, including all forms of entertainment and music law, sports, criminal investigations, corporate, health care, immigration, estate planning and IP. I stay close to my desk. My clients appreciate that I am available to solve problems at any time when they need me. I’m best for my clients with a phone in front of a computer.
What are some of the upcoming legal issues in your industry? Is AI a concern?
With AI, I believe some jobs will be lost that can be commoditized, but some jobs will be gained—it’s historical technology begets commercialism. I also believe that the law will accommodate the situation. I believe in the system. Another issue is how small or micro licenses will be made on social media platforms for commercial purposes. I think there is an untold amount of money behind platforms once we can arrive at a proper model.
What is the most exciting moment you’ve had in your career?
The most exciting times are getting to see a live show come to fruition, such as the commencement of an artist tour, the Super Bowl halftime show or the Olympic opening ceremony. I’ll never forget my first Olympic opening ceremony, running around getting contacts signed right before the show began and the athletes marched. Families go through a lot to have their children compete on a world stage; it’s awe-inspiring.
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