Atlanta is home to five professional sports teams and a multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry. A few miles from the College of Law, you’ll find CNN, State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, EUE Screen Gems Studios and Tyler Perry Studios. As this exciting area grows, more artists, athletes and entrepreneurs need legal representation.
The Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Certificate allows currently enrolled J.D. students to specialize in entertainment law. The certificate is a part of the College of Law’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative. The goal of the program is to help law students grow into competent entertainment attorneys.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 200+ students have taken ESML courses since 2018
- 16 courses offered through the ESML certificate, including the Legal List of Ludacris and the Legal Life of Kandi Burruss
- 500+ guests have attended ESML events since 2018
Benefits
- Students analyze legal principles, legal and business deals in the entertainment, sports and media industries. The program prepares students for employment at entertainment, sports and media law firms, media companies and movie studios.
- This specialization will give students an understanding about contracts for artists, athletes and media personalities. Learn how lawyers create and negotiate those agreements for their clients.
- Events held in the fall and spring for students, professionals and community stakeholders to highlight entertainment, sports and media and current legal issues facing these industries.
- The certificate is a part of the College of Law’s Entertainment, Sports and Media Law Initiative, created to connect students and law studies to the entertainment, sports and media communities.
Potential Careers
- Entertainment attorney
- Sports attorney
- Media attorney
- Intellectual property attorney
- In-house counsel
- Sports agent
Atlanta Advantage
Located in the heart of downtown with access to Atlanta’s landmarks, professional sports, global cuisine, cultural events and more.
A FEW STEPS
- CNN Center
- State Farm Arena
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Georgia State Stadium
- Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)
- Rialto Center for the Performing Arts
A FEW MILES
- EUE Screen Gems Studios
- Tyler Perry Studios
- Georgia Public Broadcasting
- Woodruff Arts Center
- Cox Communications
- Fox Theater
Certificate Requirements
Students must be in good academic standing, based on the successful completion of the first full year of law study (31 hours), to participate in the certificate program. Students must remain in good standing to continue participation.
Required Courses (12 credit hours)
- LAW 7079: Arts and Entertainment Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7473: Sports Law (3 credits, Writing Requirement)
- LAW 7390: Mass Communication and Media Law (3 credits)
- LAW 7158: Copyrights (3 credits)
Elective Courses (minimum of 6 credit hours)
- LAW 7478: Trademarks and Unfair Competition
- LAW 7417: Patent Law
- LAW 7065: Antitrust Law
- LAW 7631: Contract Drafting and Risk Analysis
- LAW 7269: Licensing of Intellectual Property
- LAW 7116: Constitutional Torts Litigation
- Cross Registration Course at GSU College of Arts and Science (limited to 1 of the following):
- COMM 6040: History of News Media
- COMM 6070/8060: Seminar in Communication Law
- COMM 6090: Communications Ethics
- COMM 6430/8430: Media Industries
Skills Development Training/Experiential
- Entertainment Law Workshop: Legal Life of ________(3 credits)
- Sports Law Simulation Course (3 credits)
- Journey of Amateur Athlete to Professional Sports
- How to Represent a Sports Franchise/League
- NCAA Practices and Procedures
- Negotiate & Draft Mock Sponsorship Agreement
- Mock Player Salary Negotiation/Arbitration
- Stadium Development
- Externship with Sports Organization, Law Firm with Entertainment, Sports or Media Practice, Music Organization, Media Organization, Movie Studios, GSU Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII), or Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- Independent Study in Entertainment, Sports, or Media area of interest (1-2 credits)
Additional eligible electives for students will be updated to facilitate student participation and scheduling.
Writing Requirement
Extracurricular Activity
- GSU Sports and Entertainment Law Society;
- GSU Creative Media Industries Institute;
- GSU sponsored events involving Entertainment, Sports and Media Law;
- Local or national Entertainment, Sports, and/or Media Bar Associations;
- Georgia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts;
- and other affiliated groups and events.
Students are also encouraged to participate with affiliated faculty as a GRA and to pursue summer internship placements within the field as they become available.
Grades and Honors
Verification for Graduation
Students must verify that certificate requirements have been fulfilled prior to graduation. Students must fill out the Entertainment, Sports & Media Law Certificate Program Verification Form. The Verification Form must be approved by the director of Entertainment, Sports & Media Law and submitted to the COL Registrar no later than the drop/add date of the last semester before graduation.
– Patrice Ruffin (J.D. ‘21)
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