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Desktop Image: Jampol, Nicolas
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Nicolas A. Jampol

Partner

Member, Executive Committee

T 213.633.8651 Culver City
T 310.425.1051 Los Angeles
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Nicolas Jampol is a go-to litigator and counselor for his entertainment and technology clients who lead the market in the creation, use, and distribution of all forms of content. He was recently featured in both The Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers list of the top 100 lawyers in the entertainment industry and Variety's Legal Impact Report of Hollywood's top entertainment attorneys. Chambers wrote that Nicolas "has developed an impressive entertainment practice, which includes a particular emphasis on intellectual property disputes" and that he "draws praise for his representation of companies involved in high-stakes copyright and trademark infringement disputes." Nicolas' deep understanding of the intersection between creative expression and intellectual property has made him a sought-after litigator and advisor. He is also a member of the firm's executive committee.

On the litigation side, Nicolas has defended high-profile clients in some of the most closely watched cases in the industry. He is known for his emphasis on litigation strategy and for the outcomes he achieves. On the counseling side, Nicolas provides content review and guidance on potential legal risks associated with film, television, podcasts, and other forms of content, ensuring that his clients can push creative boundaries while managing risk. He has advised on numerous projects for major streaming services and film studios, helping clients navigate complex issues surrounding copyright, trademark, defamation, and the right of publicity.

Nicolas' record of success and dedication to client service has earned him praise from industry peers and clients alike. Whether proactively advising on content risk or defending against claims that threaten creative works, Nicolas is committed to protecting his clients' rights while championing the freedom to tell compelling stories.

Practice Highlights

Complex copyright issues

Litigates a wide range of complex copyright issues, including substantial similarity, fair use, and allegations of idea theft. He also counsels his entertainment and technology clients regarding all aspects of copyright law, under U.S. law and internationally.

Protecting creative integrity

Provides advice on a wide variety of film and television projects, with a particular focus on projects based on or inspired by real people, including "Say Nothing," "The Smashing Machine," "American Sports Story," "Five Days at Memorial," "Welcome to Chippendales," "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," and "Bad Education."

Safeguarding the public domain

Unlike in every other country, under U.S. law literary characters may be partially in the public domain and partially protected by copyright. Nicolas defends against purported rights holders who use litigation to extort their way to license fees for materials that are in the public domain.

Litigation

Francesca Gregorini v. Apple Inc. et al.

Defended copyright-infringement lawsuit against Blinding Edge, M. Night Shyamalan, and others relating to the television series "Servant." After two-week trial, obtained unanimous jury verdict in favor of all eleven defendants. (C.D. Cal. Ongoing)

Eden Film Production v. Lockjaw

Representing Lionsgate, Paramount, and others based on allegations that the series "Yellowjackets" infringes the copyright of plaintiff's film "Eden." Defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which is pending. (C.D. Cal. Ongoing)

Atari v. State Farm

Represented State Farm and its advertising partners in a copyright infringement case involving a "Jake from State Farm" campaign in which Atari claims that the side of a 1980s arcade-game cabinet is visible and depicts graphics from one of its games like "Crystal Castles." (N.D. Tex. 2024)

Cambridge v. Amazon Studios

Represented Amazon Studios in a copyright case involving its four-part docuseries "Bug Out" which explored the unsolved theft of $50,000 of insects from the Philadelphia Insectarium & Butterfly Pavilion.

Polychron v. Bezos et al.

Defended Amazon Studios in copyright infringement lawsuit alleging that "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" infringed the plaintiff's own infringing book that was promoted as a sequel to The Lord of the Rings (without permission). The court granted the motion to dismiss with prejudice on two grounds: that the plaintiff's work lacked copyright protection because it was infringing, and the works were not substantially similar as a matter of law. The court subsequently granted Amazon's motion for attorneys' fees. (C.D. Cal. 2023)
*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine
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Counseling

Pre-broadcast counseling

Provides pre-broadcast and clearance counseling for films, television series, digital content, and podcasts. Also provides advice regarding "life rights," show concepts, clearance protocols, and litigation risk. Representative projects include "The Morning Show," "Upload," "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," "Desus & Mero," and "Three Women." (Ongoing)

Intellectual property counseling

Provides fair-use opinions, rights analyses, risk assessments, and other intellectual property advice to content creators, distributors, advertisers, and technology companies, including A24, Apple, Amazon, Disney, FX, Grindr, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery. (Ongoing)

"Inspired by actual events" counseling

Provides counseling for film, television series, and podcasts that are based on or inspired by real people or events. These projects include "Say Nothing," "American Sports Story," "Mike," "Clipped," "Fosse/Verdon," "The Hot Zone," "Genius: Picasso," "Genius: Aretha," "Genius: MLK/X," "Five Days at Memorial," "Pistol," "Welcome to Chippendales," "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans," and "Bad Education."
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Admitted to Practice

  • California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

Education

  • J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 2006, cum laude
  • B.A., Business Economics, Minor in Accounting, University of California, Los Angeles, 2002, cum laude

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Executive Committee, Davis Wright Tremaine
    • Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Section; Litigation Section – Los Angeles County Bar Association
    • Intellectual Property Law Section; Litigation Section – American Bar Association

Professional Recognition

    • Ranked by Chambers USA in Media & Entertainment: Litigation (California), 2022-2025; in Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (California), 2022-2025
    • Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, 2025-present
    • Named as one of "500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers" by Lawdragon, 2025
    • Named as one of the "Power Lawyers 2025: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys" by The Hollywood Reporter, 2025
    • Selected to the "Legal Impact Report: Top Entertainment Attorneys," Variety, 2024-2025
    • Recognized as one of "Hollywood's New Leaders," Variety, 2018
    • Selected to "Southern California Rising Stars," Thomson Reuters, 2014-2016
    • Recipient of the "Freedom of Information Award," ACLU of Southern California, 2014

Background

    • Lecturer In Law, Legal Writing & Advocacy, USC Gould School of Law, 2013-2014
    • Winston & Strawn LLP, Los Angeles, 2006-2012
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Publications
06.06.25
News
Chambers USA Affirms Davis Wright Tremaine's Growing National Leadership in Key Industry Sectors Read More
Publications
04.09.25
News
Mentioned in "Variety's Legal Impact Report 2025: Meet Hollywood's Top Entertainment Attorneys," Variety Read More External Link
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04.04.25
News
Mentioned in "Power Lawyers 2025: Meet Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys," The Hollywood Reporter Read More External Link
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06.10.24
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04.18.24
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Media & Entertainment
Six Attorneys From Davis Wright Tremaine's Media & Entertainment Team Recognized in the 2024 Variety Legal Impact Report Read More
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Tennessee, All Shook Up Over AI-Generated Voice Replicas, Passes ELVIS Act Read More
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12.05.23
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Appreciable or De Minimis: That Is the AI Question Read More
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06.05.23
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Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Leadership Across Key Industry Sectors and Honors the Firm for Excellence in 51 Practices Read More
Publications
04.25.23
News
Davis Wright Tremaine Elects New Members of Executive Committee and Names New Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary Read More
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06.07.22
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Chambers USA Recognizes Davis Wright Tremaine for Excellence in Key Practice Areas and Industry-Leading Success With DEI Read More
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11.02.20
News
Media & Entertainment
"'Enola Holmes' Producers Blast Copyright Infringement Suit from Conan Doyle Estate," The Hollywood Reporter Read More External Link
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