Proper negotiating and drafting requires superior legal skills as well as a knowledge of entertainment business and intellectual property practice. Your lawyer can explain the concepts of copyrights, trademark and patents to you and assist you in securing proper protection for your work. In addition to structuring and documenting a deal to maximize the benefits to you, some lawyers also actively solicit deals for their clients. Moreover, if you are not properly compensated in accordance with your contract, you will look to your lawyer to commence a lawsuit for you. When looking for a lawyer, you should not be afraid to interview a few before retaining one.
Some lawyers are with large firms but many are solo practitioners.
Although your first contact may be on the telephone, most likely you will have an initial interview for which, if you so request in advance, there is usually no charge. Remember, your lawyer's time is money, so be prepared and be on time for your appointment. It is not necessary that your lawyer like or even understand your creation. It is more important that you feel he or she is a trustworthy and competent advisor. Your lawyer is also under a duty to keep your conversations with him confidential.