Media & Entertainment: Litigation
USA Guide 2024 : California
Band 3
Contact number
+1 310 788 4400About
Provided by Katten
Katten’s Entertainment and Media Transactions team routinely handles complex matters involving the acquisition, development, financing, production, and distribution of motion pictures, television shows, animated and digital productions, video games, and other properties. We also handle talent agreements for film, television and digital products, executive employment contracts, and domestic and international licensing and merchandising. We assist with the financing of, and secured transactions relating to, motion picture and television productions and slates of production, and with acquiring, selling, and investing in production, distribution, and new media companies, as well as film, music, and television catalogs.
We understand the entertainment business and provide thorough risk assessment, advice, and strategy to help clients avoid litigation, and we provide experienced representation when litigation is unavoidable. We represent our clients aggressively and effectively in matters including idea submissions and copyright and trademark infringement claims; motion picture and television financing, development, production, distribution, and profit participation disputes; defamation and right of privacy claims; artist management and talent agreements; employment; and valuation of motion picture and television libraries.
We offer a full-service approach to litigation and dispute resolution intellectual property, contract and business torts, and other related matters.
Chambers Review
Katten houses a highly respected group of litigators with extensive experience of advising media and entertainment companies on a wide array of disputes, including intellectual property, copyright, contractual, employment and First Amendment claims. It also frequently advises on litigation avoidance during the early stages of film and television production. The firm's clients include individual talent, as well as motion picture studios and television networks.
Work Highlights
- Katten represented ViacomCBS in a successful dismissal of a copyright infringement lawsuit.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I am very impressed with Katten's ability to navigate a number of different converging issues and simplify them into common sense arguments."
"Katten has copyright expertise and always provides very thorough analysis and advice."
"Katten excels in handling intricate legal matters with a high level of expertise and competence."
"I am very impressed with Katten's ability to navigate a number of different converging issues and simplify them into common sense arguments."
"Katten has copyright expertise and always provides very thorough analysis and advice."
"Katten excels in handling intricate legal matters with a high level of expertise and competence."
Notable Practitioners
David Halberstadter represents prominent entertainment companies in complex copyright and trademark infringement disputes.
"David is an exceptional attorney with an incredible level of expertise, rapid response time, and outstanding analytical skills."
"He is an excellent attorney who is great with strategy. He is very clear on understanding the law, as well as dealing with challenging attorneys."
"We are lucky to have David's expert guidance. He goes above and beyond in his work for us."
Joel Weiner is routinely engaged by leading media and entertainment companies to handle copyright infringement, breach of contract and defamation claims, among others.
"Joel is a terrific lawyer. He is smart, confident and persuasive."
"Joel has vast experience in the industry and uses that to provide strategic, inventive and practical advice that businesses can use."
"Joel is very personable and knows the law inside and out. He is good at driving resolutions home."
Managing partner of the firm's Los Angeles office and chair of its entertainment and media litigation group Zia Modabber undertakes a broad range of contentious work for clients in the music sector. He shows particular strength in copyright infringement disputes.
"I have complete confidence with Zia. He is incredibly smart, transcends representing me and brings humanity to the process that makes it tolerable."
"He is an amazing resource for clients and other lawyers."
"Zia is a pleasure to work with. He understands the necessary legal concepts and simplifies them into common-sense arguments. He's also very responsive."
Ranked Lawyers at
Katten
California