A Day in the Life of the Trademark/Entertainment Lawyer: What its really like tp practice in these fields.
Why he likes what he does:
• It’s Challenging- there aren’t a lot of black and white issues in these fields, so he deals with a lot of cases of first impression. So it helps to be creative!
• It’s Exciting & Rewarding- Before he started practicing in these fields, he thought the law was depressing [shocking!] , but now he gets to be a part of something positive (for example, seeing your name in the liner notes of the CD of a band you represent. He’s also holding out hope that he can retire early and go on tour with one of his bands
Trademarks: Day to Day
A Daily Fight Against Malpractice
• He spends his day reviewing and updated his docket- organization skills a must!
• Pestering Clients is your job- “you think that they would care, but they don’t”
• Correspondence- he sends/receives 50 emails/letters a day
A- Z Trademark Prosecution
• Advising clients on selection of marks
• Search availability of marks
• Preparing and prosecuting applications
• Advising clients on proper trademark usage- see how your clients are screwing up your work
• Early steps of litigation
• Cease & Desist
Entertainment law
• You are a glorified copyright lawyer (if you don’t like copyrights, get out now)
• Working connections- if you don’t have contacts, you’ll go nowhere
• Managing clients ( you have to pester your trademark clients, but your entertainment clients will call you at 3 am)
Preparing for your Career
• Read, Read, Read
• If you just read what you learn in class, you’ll be worthless when you get out of law school [I guess I’m in trouble then]
• Get as many tools in your toolbox as you can- take a patent class!
Get your name out there!
• Targeted independent study
• Get published by any means possible
• Attend INTA’s annual meeting
• Summer Jobs/internships
Get a Job
• Shock them
• Get someone important to believe in you
• Overwhelm them with passion
A Few Thoughts for Success
• Have passion
• Do what is asked of you, no matter what it is (but don’t compromise your ethics)
• Make the Partner’s Life easier
Any questions? He welcomes questions from Franklin Pierce students: [he loves us!]
Wiliam Morris
Bromberg & Sunstein
wmorris@bromsun.com