Sports, Media and Entertainment

Provided analysis and recommendations regarding liability risk associated with use of a famous celebrity's name and likeness in an original literary work. The project included an in-depth review of the legal concepts of right of publicity, invasion of privacy, misappropriation, false light and defamation.

Launched an on-demand content distribution platform for a national yoga studio chain. The client had a short window in which to complete the production, licensing, and distribution agreements. Worked closely with the client to launch the services efficiently, and to expand the on-demand presence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secured the dismissal of a Virginia state court case seeking to ban the sale of a client’s book. A Virginia Beach General Assembly Delegate brought the action against our client and one of its authors, filed under a decades-old statue and alleging that the book – a memoir, told in graphic novel form, of the author’s own journey of realizing their nonbinary and asexual identity – was “obscene.” Argued that the statute was unconstitutional both facially and as-applied, and that the petition failed to state a claim under Virginia law. The Court agreed and found that the book could not be considered “obscene” under state law, as well as that the statute was unconstitutional in violation of due process and the First Amendment.

Obtained summary judgment for a publicly traded producer of live events where the primary issue was whether our client, who recently purchased the assets – but not the stock – of a local live event production company, was bound by the arbitration provision in a contract between the local company and the opponent. The asset purchase agreement specifically excluded the contract containing the arbitration provision. The opponent argued that the asset sale was a de facto merger so the contractual exclusion did not apply. The Court rejected that argument and adopted our argument holding, among other things, that the terms of the asset purchase agreement governed.

Represented majority shareholders in lawsuit filed by minority member and negotiated favorable settlement resulting in minority member’s removal from the company.

Won the dismissal with prejudice of the counterclaim filed against a live event promoter and its principals. The promoter entered into a revenue-sharing agreement with a company looking to invest in two of its larger outdoor music festivals. Ultimately, the relationship deteriorated and, in 2014, the investment company initiated litigation against the promoter. We obtained a complete victory for our client.

Represented a minority owner in the $132 million sale of a patent pool administrator to another patent pool administrator in the audio and video coding technology space.

Represented an international and premier league footballer in a Rule K arbitration concerning a high-value commercial contract dispute.

Negotiated the payment and release of claims on behalf of Los Angeles-based client, regarding her prior contract with a management agency. Conducted an investigation and successfully disputed all allegations of breach.

Advised an investor on a multimillion-dollar venture capital investment into a mobile sports gaming company.

Secured a dismissal of claims against a national sports association for lack of personal jurisdiction in an action for the wrongful death of a professional hockey player that was upheld on a writ by the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Obtained numerous urgent prohibitory High Court injunctions in relation to the unauthorised sale of tickets to major sporting events including the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Premier League football games and international rugby matches.