When Aderinola “Derin” Adeyemo went to work at Rush Communications during her summer break, it wasn’t her singing voice that got her the position.
Adeyemo, a second-year law student at The John Marshall Law School, completed a 10-week internship at the New York City offices of Rush to gain insights into the legal aspects of the entertainment business. It proved to be quite an experience for her.
“They gave me a chance to learn so much about the business. I got to work on talent and appearance releases, employment documents, contest rules, copyright infringement and their philanthropic work,” she said. “It was an exciting summer for me.”
Adeyemo interacted with the law department staff in New York, as well as outside counsel in Washington, DC and California.
Rush Communications is a leading multifaceted holding company with investments in prominent and respected brands in three industry segments: entertainment and media; fashion and lifestyle; and empowerment. It promotes such shows as “Daddy’s Girls” and “Def Jam Comedy” on HBO for the Simmons-Lathan Group. Its Global Grind subsidiary offers an online look at art, fashion, music and politics in a world of hip-hop. Its clothing line includes Argyleculture.
The company also has various philanthropic initiatives, including the Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.), a non-profit international organization raising money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. Also, the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant arts exposure, access and education, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to early and mid-career artists and artists of color.
Adeyemo took the initiative to call the corporate offices to learn about an internship. She was surprised when a representative agreed to speak with her by phone and then conduct an interview by Skype before she was offered the summer internship position.
Her summer experiences have confirmed for the University of Illinois graduate that she will focus her legal profession at John Marshall on entertainment and intellectual property law.
