We had the good fortune of connecting with Julianna Almario and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julianna, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
My dream is to represent artists. I have always been passionate about art and creativity, and I would love to use the skills I have learned in law school to help artists bring their visions to life. This is why I am solely focused on entertainment law. I get really excited thinking and talking about talent, and with that, I feel protective over people’s art too. Lately, I have also been entertaining the idea of becoming an agent. In wildest dreams, I would represent my favorite popstars and other creatives, but wherever I end up by the end of my career, I just hope that it my job is to help bring art to life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My ultimate goal is to empower artists. I want to help give a voice to those whose art deserves to be seen and heard. What sets me apart is that I came to law school with my own creative perspective and background. I want be someone that artists can trust because they know how much I believe in them. As someone actively pursuing music law, music is always on my mind. I am also a songwriter and am always singing and playing the guitar or piano to destress from law school. I have been singing and dancing my whole life, and it is my passion for music that motivated me to go to law school. When I am not in class or studying, I am spending my free time and money on live shows and concerts. There is nothing like it, and I love how connected I feel to others -whether it be friends or strangers, through music. To illustrate this sentiment further, I like hosting “aux parties” with my friends. I got the idea from my long distance best friend who would invite people over to share and listen to music together and expanded the concept by coming up with categories for each round. For instance, one was “a song you wish you wrote,” and each of us went in a circle one by one playing our respective song and listening quietly while reading the lyrics. After each song, we would engage in a discussion with the person who chose it and talk about what it meant to them. This snapshot depicts how present music is in my life and how strongly I believe in its power to connect people. My interest in pursuing an area of law that intersects with art has also been solidified by all that I have learned through my entertainment law internships. From working in production legal, to registering copyrights and working on agreements on the publishing admin side of music, and then dealing with independent film distribution agreements, I am grateful for all that I have learned but know I am still only just scratching the surface. Getting your foot in the door is tough, but one of the lessons I kept close to my heart is to keep remembering your “why.” You can’t fake passion. This, continuous curiosity, and an eager willingness to learn will set you apart.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is hard because I feel like there is still so much of LA that I need to explore. Activities definitely include the beach, hiking, a concert, thrifting, and eating good food. Elephante and Dialog Cafe are some of my favorite brunch spots, and Silver Lake Flea Market is great for thrifting! The Troubadour is my favorite place for a concert.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be nowhere without my older brother, Matthew Almario. From helping me with my homework growing up to the wise words he shares about life and becoming an adult. He is the smartest person I know and has always been my biggest cheerleader. Crazy enough, we both ended up pursuing entertainment law. He now works at Media Res, and I am so grateful to have had him as a resource.

The Entertainment Career Fellowship (also known as On Ramp) at Chapman’s Law School has been the most rewarding experience of law school. Professor Judd Funk and all the people I have met through the program, including my mentor Rea Dora Nepomuceno, an attorney at Lionsgate, are what make it so special. I am proud to have been part of it!

My former boss, Sarah Santos. I want to be just like her when I grow up! She recently started her own business, Sarah Santos Business Affairs. She has taught me everything I know, and I can’t wait to continue learning from her.

My mentor Gerard Duarte. Ever since I heard him talk on a music law panel during my first year of law school, we have stayed in touch. A lawyer and manager, he always keeps it real and has become one of my greatest encouragers.

Some friends from law school, my roommate Austin Eng who is absolutely killing it at his internship at Universal Music Group, and one of my best friends, Angelie Alviar, my stylist, fellow fangirl, and #1 book recommender. Their friendship and passion for what they do have helped me get through law school.

Speaking of creatives, artists who I have gotten to personally know and become friends with. Amanda Gramm, Liza Barlow, Abigail Barlow, Blake Stokes, Tony Ferrari, and Bailey Bryan just to name a few. They inspire me so much, I believe in them and their talent so much!

Instagram: julianna.almario

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianna-almario-310659140/

Other: Spotify Profile: https://open.spotify.com/artist/62nUJhGi1YRHOdgiYgMjbC?si=0v9iFK6TToKOk1Jwypug-g

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