Representative Matters

• Second chaired jury trial in federal court successfully defending NBA athlete against civil sexual battery, trespass, and battery claims. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment.
• Represented student-athlete class in White v. NCAA, a certified antitrust class action in federal court alleging that the NCAA violated the federal antitrust laws by restricting amounts of athletic-based financial aid below the cost of attendance. The NCAA settled and paid an additional $218 million for use by current student-athletes to cover the costs of attending college, paid $10 million to cover educational and professional development expenses for former student-athletes, and enacted new legislation to permit Division I institutions to provide year-round comprehensive health insurance to student-athletes.
• Defended owner of professional sports team with respect to charges the league instituted against him under the league constitution and bylaws. Also defended owner in probate court proceedings and trial after his wife petitioned for approval of the sale of the team without his consent under trust provision relating to incompetence.
• Represented pay-TV subscribers in California Unfair Competition Law claim against Time Warner Cable, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the forced inclusion of three new channels devoted exclusively to those teams at a significant monthly price increase without subscriber consent and no opt out right. Drafted appellate briefs and argued at the California Court of Appeal. Drafted petition for review to California Supreme Court.
• Represented putative national consumer class in Brantley v. NBC Universal, alleging that the cable distributors and TV programmers violated the federal antitrust laws with tiering restrictions and a la carte prohibitions which prevent the cable companies from competing to offer different packages of channels to cable customers.
• Represented a consulting firm against a large multinational conglomerate in a multimillion dollar business interference lawsuit involving a military procurement contract. After trial, the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement.
• Represented a class of music composers and owners of sound recordings against television studios and distributors for failure to pay licensing fees.
• Represented MGA Entertainment, Inc. in federal antitrust claim against Mattel alleging monopolization of fashion doll market. 
• Represented consulting company alleging antitrust claims against dominant shipping companies regarding exclusion of third party consultants.
• Served as lead day-to-day lawyer in dispute over Bob Marley sound recording rights; after prevailing on appeal at the Ninth Circuit (745 F.3d 343 (9th Cir. 2014)), the parties settled.
• Represented musician over unauthorized use of likeness in video game and use of song in commercial.
• Successfully negotiated settlement for screenwriter in copyright infringement dispute.
• Defended a major San Francisco tour attraction provider against a competitor’s predatory pricing, exclusive dealing, and unfair competition claims.
• Represented a former sponsor of college football bowl games against the National Collegiate Athletic Association alleging price fixing and business interference claims.

Professional Associations and Memberships

Publications