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Reviewed by:
Tamara Rogers-Gant, J.D., LL.M.
Loyola University Chicago School of Law Graduate, Law Expert & Admissions Strategist
Reviewed: 3/18/25
Below, we’ll outline the best law schools for entertainment law in the country.
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!
Take a look at this table breaking down a few key statistics for the country’s top 15 entertainment law schools.
Want to learn more about these schools? Keep reading!
Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a unique blend of world-class faculty, small class sizes, and extensive clinical training opportunities. Its small size fosters a tight-knit community and encourages public service.
Students benefit from a low faculty-student ratio, diverse course offerings, and hands-on experience representing clients from their first year. Yale Law alumni excel across various sectors (including entertainment), demonstrating the school's impact on society. With a rich curriculum and practical training, graduates are well-equipped to tackle today's challenges.
Stanford Law, a top research university, offers opportunities tailored to each student's goals. Students can obtain joint degrees, design courses, and explore intersections with other fields. The school fosters a collegial culture, emphasizing collaboration and idea exchange.
With small classes and intensive seminars, students receive personalized support. Stanford Law prioritizes innovation and interdisciplinary learning, reflecting its Silicon Valley roots. Faculty focus on the future of law practice, guiding students to address emerging opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
NYU School of Law, established in 1835, is one of the oldest law schools in the US and a pioneer in admitting women in 1890. It focuses on public service, offering over 40 clinics and funding for students in government and non-profits. Known for its progressive approach, the school's modern curriculum prepares graduates for the contemporary legal field.
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.
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.
Georgetown University Law, part of Georgetown University in Washington DC, ranks as the 15th best law school in the US. It offers diverse opportunities for students to excel in the legal field. Students can balance work and education with flexible class schedules, including part-time and evening options.
The curriculum spans over 300 programs, including unique offerings like the LLM program for international students and specialized tracks such as transnational law. Practical experience is emphasized through clinics, externships, and simulation courses. Georgetown's extensive research centers provide in-depth study opportunities on various legal topics, enhancing students' learning experience.
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.
Pepperdine Caruso Law offers a rigorous yet rewarding program in a diverse and vibrant community. Graduates emerge prepared for various career paths, from legal counsel to business and academia. This law school is also one of the top schools in the US for entertainment law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Want to learn more about these schools? Keep reading!
Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a unique blend of world-class faculty, small class sizes, and extensive clinical training opportunities. Its small size fosters a tight-knit community and encourages public service.
Students benefit from a low faculty-student ratio, diverse course offerings, and hands-on experience representing clients from their first year. Yale Law alumni excel across various sectors (including entertainment), demonstrating the school's impact on society. With a rich curriculum and practical training, graduates are well-equipped to tackle today's challenges.
Stanford Law, a top research university, offers opportunities tailored to each student's goals. Students can obtain joint degrees, design courses, and explore intersections with other fields. The school fosters a collegial culture, emphasizing collaboration and idea exchange.
With small classes and intensive seminars, students receive personalized support. Stanford Law prioritizes innovation and interdisciplinary learning, reflecting its Silicon Valley roots. Faculty focus on the future of law practice, guiding students to address emerging opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
NYU School of Law, established in 1835, is one of the oldest law schools in the US and a pioneer in admitting women in 1890. It focuses on public service, offering over 40 clinics and funding for students in government and non-profits. Known for its progressive approach, the school's modern curriculum prepares graduates for the contemporary legal field.
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.
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.
Georgetown University Law, part of Georgetown University in Washington DC, ranks as the 15th best law school in the US. It offers diverse opportunities for students to excel in the legal field. Students can balance work and education with flexible class schedules, including part-time and evening options.
The curriculum spans over 300 programs, including unique offerings like the LLM program for international students and specialized tracks such as transnational law. Practical experience is emphasized through clinics, externships, and simulation courses. Georgetown's extensive research centers provide in-depth study opportunities on various legal topics, enhancing students' learning experience.
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.
Pepperdine Caruso Law offers a rigorous yet rewarding program in a diverse and vibrant community. Graduates emerge prepared for various career paths, from legal counsel to business and academia. This law school is also one of the top schools in the US for entertainment law.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Still have questions about the best entertainment law schools? Take a look at these frequently asked questions.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law is often considered one of the best schools for entertainment law. Other top schools include Harvard Law, USC Gould School of Law, and UC Berkeley Law.
Getting into entertainment law can be challenging due to its competitive nature and the need for specialized skills. It requires a strong foundation in intellectual property, contract negotiation, and industry knowledge. Networking, internships, and staying updated on industry trends are vital for success.
Top entertainment lawyers in the U.S. can earn lucrative salaries, often exceeding $170,000 annually. While the national average for entertainment lawyers sits at $121,094, experienced attorneys in major media companies can earn much more.
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.
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.
David Merson was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
