As a third-generation entertainment lawyer, Damien Granderson is uniquely qualified to advise up-and-coming creatives on the ins and outs of the industry. As a partner of Granderson Des Rochers entertainment law firm, he specializes in transactional work involving copyright licensing, digital media, marketing, and brand management. 

Damien Granderson has seen firsthand how the entertainment business shaped many lives around him. After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in humanities, he set his sights on law school. But the legal profession was unstable and uncertain in the years immediately following the financial crisis.

This is why he decided to hedge my bets with a joint JD/MBA degree at Columbia. While still in university, one of my professors told me about a new joint JD/MBA degree program that would allow me to specialize in entertainment law. Damien Granderson immediately knew this was the path for him.

Throughout his career, Damien states that he learned a few key things about being successful as a young lawyer in the entertainment industry. First and foremost, you need to be flexible. The entertainment industry is dynamic and ever-changing, and you must be willing to change. According to Damien Granderson, that means switching up your skill set as needed, moving across different industries.

In addition to the fact that sometimes taking on roles that don’t directly relate to law. Second, you need to build your network and stay visible. The best jobs don’t just fall into your lap; they’re often offered to you by people you already know. That’s why establishing yourself as someone worth hiring takes more than just showing up to work and doing a good job. According to Damien Granderson, it requires proactive outreach to people who can help you advance your career. Damien has been able to represent most top artists in the industry, like J Balvin, J Cole, and Young Thug, among others.