Client Conflicts In Show Business

Representing clients in the entertainment industry can be a nightmare of conflicts of interest and potential malpractice liabilities arising from seemingly innocent and well intentioned actions. For example, suppose an existing client decides to invest in a recording artist’s career and asks you to represent them both in preparing the agreement between the artist and the investor, and then to represent the artist in dealings with a record company. Or you introduce one client to another client and they decide they want to do business with one another and have you represent both of them in the deal. The ability to network clients with one another is a significant asset for an attorney, but it can backfire. Unless you handle the actual and potential conflict of interest issues in accordance with the California Rules of Professional Conduct, you open yourself to the possibility of substantial future grief.