SWLAW Blog | Awards & Honors

2023 The Hollywood Reporter Top Entertainment Law School text on background image of Bullocks Wilshire tower

May 9, 2023

Southwestern Law School Named 6th on The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 List of Top Law Schools; Alums Featured on Power Lawyers List

Southwestern Law School has been recognized as one of the top law schools in the entertainment industry, ranking 6th on The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 list of Top Law Schools. Southwestern has been featured on the Hollywood Reporter list for more than a decade for its exceptional academic offerings, which include a specialized law degree in entertainment, nearly fifty courses covering various aspects of the industry, and more than 100 law firm and in-house externship positions.

The accomplishments of Southwestern’s alums also demonstrate Southwestern Law School's excellence in entertainment law. Warren Dern ‘91, Shawn Holley ‘88, Jeff Hynick ‘06, and Daniel Petrocelli ‘80 are featured on The Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers 2023 list, which celebrates the most influential lawyers in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Petrocelli has been named a Legal Legend for 2023, a distinction reserved for those who have made significant contributions to the field of entertainment law throughout their career.

Southwestern's Entertainment & Media Law Institute offers a variety of cutting-edge programs designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the entertainment industry. One program is The Entertainment & the Arts Legal Clinic, which offers pro bono legal services to independent filmmakers, series creators, writers, actors, artists, and musicians. Through the clinic, students can apply their classroom knowledge to real-world creative projects and entertainment transactions, preparing them for a successful career in entertainment law. Additionally, the Institute hosts the "A Conversation With" podcast featuring top attorneys and other entertainment industry leaders and develops new courses, such as NFTs & the Metaverse, and Influencer Law, that reflect the industry’s changing landscape. Southwestern also partners with the Media Law Resource Center to host the annual Entertainment and Media Law Conference, where renowned experts discuss the most timely, important, and controversial topics in entertainment and media law.

Southwestern Law School's ranking on The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 list of Top Law Schools is a testament to its pioneering role in entertainment, media, music, and sports law. The school launched one of the first entertainment law institutes in the country and has since continued to lead the way with innovative programming and a powerful alumni network. With unparalleled academic offerings and extensive practical experience opportunities, Southwestern Law School remains a top choice for students interested in pursuing a career in entertainment, music, media, and sports law.