Q
: UCLA’s program consists of “courses intended to present the fundamental principles and practices of contemporary entertainment law,” and cover copyright protection, transactional doctrines, and media law. How are the practical aspects of these matters covered inside the classroom and out?
A: Well, this is definitely a big area of focus. To date, UCLA Law has invested a tremendous amount of resources in expanding its experiential offering. Assistant Dean Luz Herrera has been on board for a year or so and under her watch UCLA Law has, as relates to my program, a number of clinical and experiential courses (e.g., Patent
Clinic and Trademark Clinic). In addition there are externships at talent agencies, studios, networks and gaming companies to name a few. There are also luncheon seminars focused on training for lawyers in their early years. Also, being in the heart of Hollywood, there are numerous speakers from the industry who speak with our students on a regular basis about the “art” and “business” of entertainment.
Susan Akens ’88, Executive Director, UCLA School of Law’s Ziffren Center for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports Law
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