Representative Experience
Representation of television networks and production companies, motion picture studios, music publishers, photo agencies, advertising agencies, book publishers and other businesses in federal and state litigation involving claims for copyright and trademark infringement, misappropriation of ideas for motion pictures and television programs, false advertising, and violation of the right of publicity
Representation of newspapers, magazines, and broadcasters in defamation and privacy suits, in responding to subpoenas to reporters, in opposing prior restraints, and in providing pre-publication and pre-broadcast advice
Recent Intellectual Property Cases
Co-counsel representing class of songwriters and music publishers in Grokster copyright infringement action against peer-to-peer file-sharing services; plaintiffs obtained unanimous decision from U.S. Supreme Court ruling that defendants may be held liable for contributory infringement
Defended publisher of biography of Marilyn Monroe in copyright infringement suit over the use of motion picture publicity photos distributed in the 1950s; obtained summary judgment and award of attorneys’ fees.
Defended television production company in copyright infringement and idea submission case involving celebrity news program
Defended cable television network in three-week jury trial of idea submission claims relating to a television series; obtained directed verdict that was upheld on appeal
Represented magazine and internet publisher in successful lawsuit for trademark infringement, trademark dilution and cybersquatting
Defended British newspaper in copyright, trademark and right of publicity action by Beach Boys band member over UK distribution of promotional CD
Recent Media Law Cases
Represented motion picture studio in obtaining dismissal of libel class action based on the film American Gangster
Represented motion picture studio in successfully opposing effort by criminal defendant to enjoin nationwide release of the film Alpha Dog
Represented book publisher in successfully opposing effort by Scott Peterson and his attorneys to enjoin publication of a book about his criminal trial written by a former Peterson attorney
Represented author/director of television mini-series about O.J. Simpson criminal trial in successfully opposing effort by Simpson and his former criminal lawyers to enjoin its broadcast
Defended television station and investigative reporter in defamation suit arising from news report about telemarketing practices; obtained dismissal of all claims under anti-SLAPP statute and award of attorneys’ fees
Defended cable network in defamation, breach of contract and fraud actions based on portrayals of celebrities in documentary television programs
Defended “cyber-libel” suits against anonymous individuals who posted negative comments on Internet message boards about a publicly traded company and about an attorney suing such a company
Recent Publications and Presentations
Author, “SLAPP Motions in Federal Court – Is Immediate Appellate Review Still the Order of the Day?”, First Amendment Law Letter (Winter 2008)
Author, "Access Hollywood: Ninth Circuit Copyright Law After Metcalf v. Bochco," Los Angeles Lawyer, May 2005
Co-author, "Celebrities Testing Limits of Right of Publicity Laws," The Computer and Internet Lawyer, February 2003
Panelist, “To Blog Or Not To Report: Legal Issues in Web Publishing,” National Association of Black Journalists Convention, August 2007
Panelist, "Peer-to-Peer in the Supreme Court: The Grokster Case," Bay Area Law School Technology Conference, Stanford University, April 2005
Adjunct Lecturer, Media Law, USC Annenberg School of Journalism, 2003-2005
Guest Lecturer, Defamation and Privacy Law, Southwestern University School of Law, 2003
Memberships and Activities
Board Member, Copyright Society of Los Angeles
Forum on Communications Law, American Bar Association
Prior Experience
Law clerk to the Hon. Alfred T. Goodwin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Associate, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, Los Angeles
Education
J.D., cum laude, Harvard Law School, 1991
B.A. in Economics and Political Science, Stanford University, 1988
- Reporter and Editor, The Stanford Daily
