Wendel Entertainment & Sports Lawyers

For over 20 years, James D. Pacitti, the founder and managing attorney, has aggressively represented and assisted thousands of clients in entertainment, intellectual property and business matters and in state and federal litigation. James D. Pacitti has been practicing law since graduating from Fordham University School of Law in New York City in 1995 and is licensed to practice in California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Philadelphia, James went to college at Northeastern University in Boston, graduating cum laude. After graduating law school, James practiced in his hometown for three years prior to relocating to Florida where...

Robert J. Allan is a barrister and solicitor and an AV rated attorney with over 30 years of international legal experience. Mr. Allan has earned a global reputation for excellence in both the legal and business community, and has been honored with an AV Rating; Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. He has extensive experience representing the interests of existing and emerging domestic and international businesses and provides insightful legal counsel on matters such as corporate law, corporate governance, global finance and transactional representation. Mr. Allan has considerable expertise in corporate compliance and global corporate...

My goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for the client. My current practice focuses on live musical and theatrical entertainment, and general civil litigation in federal and state courts. Other practice areas include alternative dispute resolution, copyright and trademark consultation, licensing and protection of intellectual property rights, employment issues, internet law, and appellate work. I also have substantial prior business experience in internet, alcoholic beverage distribution and entertainment industries. I am fluent in Hebrew.

Randy M. Grossman obtained his California state par certification in 1994 and has been providing trusted legal counsel to clients throughout the state ever since. The Law Offices of Randy M. Grossman is a criminal defense firm in San Diego that provides aggressive legal defense counsel for felony and misdemeanor charges. Mr. Grossman personally handles all of the firm’s cases, providing clients with one-on-one attention and sound legal advice. Mr. Grossman has thousands of cases under his belt, and is well-respected in the California court system. He works relentlessly to ensure his clients receive a fair trial and to...

I practice transactional entertainment and technology law and was a also a journalist at The Hollywood Reporter from 2010-20, where I covered entertainment labor, law and business. A former computer scientist, I was also active in local politics for over a decade. A preeminent expert on Hollywood unions and guilds, I'm the author of several books on the subject. I'm also an adjunct professor at USC and Southwestern law schools, and previously at UCLA Law School, and a non-resident research fellow at Rutgers University. I've worked as a talent lawyer; guild attorney; and as a litigator. I've been a member of the...

Attorney since 1998

Tommy helps entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses of all kinds build great companies. His goal is to be a team member of your company to provide business and legal strategy in an effective and efficient manner. He serves as outside general counsel and advises clients in many different sectors, including technology, media, entertainment, retail, food and beverage, and outdoor recreation industries, among others. He prides himself on personalized services and building lasting relationships with his clients. He likes to work with teams bold enough to build epic brands, solve big problems, and make a dent in the universe.

Tommy graduated cum laude...

Full service entertainment law practice handling corporate, financing, production, marketing and distribution matters worldwide across all media for studios, networks, cable companies and independent producers.

Jay has represented and advised investors of public companies in shareholder derivative actions and complex class action litigation for over a decade. He helped secure millions of dollars in financial recovery and corporate governance reforms. He investigated and litigated claims involving such issues as accounting fraud, executive compensation, board entrenchment, board elections, corporate takeovers, inadequate internal controls, and violations of the False Claim Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and vehicular and aeronautical safety regulations.

Since 2017, Jay has focused his legal practice on helping entrepreneurs successfully form and operate their businesses, representing clients in contract or business...

Mark Litwak is a veteran entertainment attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Mark Litwak & Associates based in Los Angeles, California. His practice includes work in the areas of copyright, trademark, contract, multimedia law, intellectual property and book publishing. As a Producer’s Representative, he assists filmmakers in arranging financing, marketing and distribution of their films. He also testifies as an expert witness in motion picture industry cases.

Litwak has packaged movie projects and served as executive producer on such feature films as “The Proposal,” “Out Of Line,” “Pressure,” and “Diamond Dog.” He has provided legal...

Gordon Firemark practices entertainment (Theatre, Film, Television, Digital Media), media and business law in Los Angeles. He helps creative industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed. His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business transactions, and corporate matters for clients in the fields of media, entertainment, content and digital business. Mr. Firemark is frequently referred to as “The Podcast Lawyer™”, and is the author of The Podcast, Blog, & New Media Producers’ Legal Survival Guide. (Https://podcastlawbook.com) He is also a podcaster himself. ...

Ms. Johns is a civil trial lawyer who has tried more than one hundred cases to verdict. She is the managing partner for Hillary Johns, Trial Lawyer which maintains offices in Beverly Hills, the Bay Area and New York City. She graduated from Occidental College in 1990 and Golden Gate University School of Law in 1993 where she graduated with Dean’s List and class honors. She is licensed to practice law in California, the California Southern, Central and Northern U.S. Federal District Courts, the District of Columbia, Montana, New York, and the New York Eastern and Southern U.S....

Daniel J. Morse represents creative artists from his offices in the Los Angeles area. Mr. Morse excelled in his studies of contracts, intellectual property, and entertainment law at the Pepperdine University School of Law. After graduating in 2001, Mr. Morse worked as a civil litigator while assisting various visual artist clients. Upon moving to Tennessee, Mr. Morse worked with the firm of Wise & Reeves, representing a variety of individuals and business with transactional and litigation matters. Mr. Morse also represented musicians and literary authors. With licenses to practice in two of America's...

Ori Blumenfeld is a senior associate with Margulies Faith LLP. Mr. Blumenfeld focuses his practice in all areas of complex bankruptcy and insolvency, corporate restructuring, distressed assets, acquisition and disposition, and related litigation matters. In terms of his corporate bankruptcy expertise, Mr. Blumenfeld has represented debtors, trustees, and both secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy courts. In addition, a substantial portion of his work consists of serving as general or special counsel to federal and state receivers appointed to general equity, Family Code, rents and profits, Health and Safety Code, and regulatory receiverships, as well as bankruptcy trustees, and...

Sean S. Varner, Managing Partner of Varner & Brandt, is a corporate and transactional attorney focusing his practice on corporate and business law, real estate, transactional law, contracts and mergers & acquisitions. With over 20 years of legal and business experience Sean takes time to know his clients and their goals and objectives. He handles numerous critical issues, including complicated transactions, facing many different industries and clients including the technology sector, retail/food & beverage industry, real estate developers, restaurants, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, officers and directors of corporations, and a variety of family-owned businesses.

Representing successful businesses and families in the entertainment, real estate, technology, and healthcare industries.

I focus on the area of family law, including divorce and related matters such as child custody, child support, paternity, spousal support and property division. I also represent clients in matters involving guardianship and dissolution of domestic partnerships. I will take time to learn about you, your family, and your goals. When taking your case, I want to learn what you hope to accomplish and what your family needs in order to get back on track. I will then develop a detailed case management plan designed to achieve realistic goals for you and your family. Throughout the legal process, I will keep...

Paul’s practice focuses primarily on complex business litigation. He was recently named one of the “Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California” by Los Angeles Magazine, has the highest AV rating in Martindale Hubbell, and is regularly listed in various publications as one of the top attorneys in his field.

His practice areas include business and commercial litigation, False Claims Act cases, corporation and partnership disputes, professional liability litigation, entertainment and intellectual property litigation, defense of non-profit and other charity-based organizations, products liability litigation and all related appellate work.

Sindee Levin, ESQ is a veteran entertainment a1orney whose creden7als include business affairs at major film
studios, music publishing, mechanical collec7on and extensive private prac7ce with invaluable contacts with
music publishers and record labels.
• As former owner and past president of American Mechanical Rights Agency, Inc. she handled licensing of
copyrights with record companies: issuing licenses, monitoring accoun7ng and payments; issues
synchroniza7on licenses to film, television, radio, and adver7sing agencies specifying the scope of permission
granted. She offered expert guidance through all emerging technologies and new media formats: website
exploita7ons, digital downloading, ring tones and ring backs before selling AMRA to Kobalt Music Publishing.
• She is...

Brandon Anand is a seasoned business and real estate attorney and Court-appointed Referee. Brandon has advised as to countless matters at each stage of the business life cycle—from formation—to operations (partnerships/joint ventures, IP protection, licensing/sales, and litigation/conflict resolution)—to reorganization, sales, and mergers, with a focus on two primary areas: real estate and entertainment/sports. Brandon's real estate practice centers around the sale, financing, and lease of real property. In addition to private representation, he serves as a Court-appointed Partition Referee throughout California, where he is called upon to streamline sales, accounting, and distribution of proceeds from real property (e.g....

Mr. Alves's practice focuses on advising startups, emerging growth and middle market companies across a spectrum of industries in corporate, finance and business transactions with emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, entertainment, contracts and project finance. Licensed in Brazil and the U.S., he practiced for several years at major law firms in Brazil and the U.S. advising domestic and international clients on, among other things, corporate, mergers and acquisitions and investments matters.

Douglas K. Schreiber (Member) born Los Angeles, California, September 16, 1953; admitted to bar, 1978, California; 1979, U.S. District Court, Central and Southern Districts of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Education: University of Southern California (B.S., cum laude, 1975); Loyola University of Los Angeles (J.D., cum laude, 1978). Recipient: American Jurisprudence Award for Remedies. Member: State Bar of California. Reported Cases: Waisbren v. Peppercorn Productions Inc., (1995) 41 Cal.App.4th 246 48 Cal. Rptr. 2d 437; Lenane vs. Franchise Tax Board (1994) 9 Cal.4th 263, 36 Cal. Rptr.2d 563 Amicus Curiae.

A Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney, Howard Kornberg is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating an attorney can receive from his or her peers. He has extensive experience assisting clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, Segways, and other motorized vehicles.

With over 20 years of experience in media, tech, and law, I am passionate about empowering and representing artists and brands in the digital age. Having founded tech companies, digital agencies and a bank - I have a unique view of how business works and thrives. Originally a techie (early hacker, Cisco CCNA and Microsoft MCSE), I have a unique understanding of the cyber world, AI and emerging technologies. As an attorney at Sterling Media Law, I focus on media law, cyber law, business law, and real estate law - negotiating complex and creative deals. My mission is to help...

A distinguished Southern California attorney, Bruce Jeffer is dedicated to providing exceptional representation for Corporate Law matters. With an emphasis on Mergers & Acquisitions, Energy and Securities transactions, his practice areas include Entertainment & Sports, International, Investment Management, Natural Resources and Real Estate law matters.

A Founding Member of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell, Bruce has 50 years of experience and legal knowledge. He is recognized by peers for both his leadership and business law acumen. Always results-oriented, he is dedicated to outstanding service, legal expertise, and cost-effective representation. Bruce is committed to helping his clients achieve their business goals.

David L. Axelrod began work as a teenager, selling scorecards in Dodger Stadium. After attending college, David L. Axelrod entered a career as Park Ranger and Fire Fighter, at the East Bay Regional Park District of Northern California. In 1988, David L. Axelrod graduated law school at the University of California, Berkeley, California, passed the bar, and commenced the practice of law. David L. Axelrod worked as Deputy Attorney for CALTRANS Legal Division in Los Angeles, California, and then as Deputy Tuolumne County Counsel in Sonora, California. Mr....

Our operation is focused on providing cost effective solutions and expert customer service to all our clients. In addition to real estate, the firm represents clients in business litigation, construction defect problems, estate planning, arbitrations and mediations. We want our clients to fully understand the legal process and what will be involved in finding a constructive result to their legal issue. I am very active in the legal and real estate community. I continue to educate myself on the most up to date information within my field. I maintain active memberships with both local and national groups in the industry....

David A. Sergenian is the founder of Sergenian Law, a Professional Corporation. His practice concentrates in the areas of copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, partnership and startup disputes, appellate practice, and general commercial litigation. In addition, he has extensive experience in patent law, securities litigation, entertainment litigation, and employment actions. He has represented clients on “both sides of the v.,” including numerous Fortune 500 companies, in litigations, trials, arbitrations, and alternative dispute resolutions.

Legal Expertise Brian Fu works closely with major production studios, talent and management agencies, and multinational corporations to devise creative immigration strategies for executives, on-screen talent in film and television, production teams, musicians, athletes, and artists to work on multi-million dollar projects in the United States. As a trusted advisor on global mobility matters for leading companies in such sectors as entertainment, fashion, design, cosmetics, and videogames, Brian counsels on complex labor and employment issues for foreign nationals. Brian has studied law at top schools in the United States, Australia, and Japan – on the prestigious Monbukagakusho Scholarship awarded by the...

Navid handles business litigation and employment litigation for individual and corporate clients in a wide range of industries, from small businesses to large publicly-traded corporations. As a seasoned Los Angeles entertainment lawyer, Navid has extensive experience in the media and entertainment industries, representing clients such as recording artists, managers and agents, production companies and content providers. Navid has litigated numerous intellectual property claims involving, among other things, copyright and trademark infringement, cyber-squatting, defamation, right of publicity, and trade secret misappropriation. Navid handles sexual harassment, wrongful termination, disability discrimination and pregnancy discrimination. Since 2002, Navid Soleymani has been litigating complex business, entertainment,...

Neil Juneja is an intellectual property and cannabis lawyer. He is the founder and managing partner of Gleam Law, a cannabis law firm headquartered in Seattle, WA. His impeccable track record and years of cannabis business law experience – including navigating the complexities of patents, trademarks, and copyrights – helps Gleam Law stand out from the competition. Neil founded Gleam Law because he realized other cannabis law firms provided legal advice to businesses in a vacuum. He wanted to provide legal decisions in the context of the business world and counsel long-term success. Other cannabis business attorneys are not just risk-adverse...

An innovative, service oriented and knowledgeable attorney with 26 years of experience committed to providing quality and affordable legal services for individuals, start-ups and small and large companies. Providing general counsel services for individuals and businesses in entertainment, media, music, technology, commercial production, education, and marketing. Assisting in all areas of production- from concept through development to distribution, trademark registration, protection and disputes, and intellectual property licensing. Exceptional contract review, analysis, drafting and negotiation skills. Effective negotiator and mediator in related matters. Also represents clients in family immigration matters (green card, permanent resident, VAWA, DACA, fiance' visas, consular processing, citizenship)...

Russell Sommers is a seasoned transactional attorney who helps individuals and businesses maximize the value of their Intellectual Property (IP) through the strategic application of copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent, and other IP laws. The Law Office of Russell Sommers offers quality legal services tailored to meet the specific IP needs of businesses and individuals in the spheres of business, technology & entertainment. The Law Office of Russell Sommers: Creative Legal Practices for Creative Legal Minds. TM

Amy Laughlin has been achieving exceptional results for clients since 1992. After graduating with honors from The University of Michigan Law School, Amy joined the San Francisco office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. While there, she counseled individuals and corporations in a wide range of complex financial matters. In 2013, Amy opened her own practice where she focuses primarily on divorce, business and entertainment law.

Ted Parker is a business trial lawyer with extensive experience in a broad range of industries: securities, IP and e-commerce, construction, products liability, agriculture and food products, film and publishing. After graduation from Cornell Law School, he began practice in business law at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison in San Francisco. He was the first corporate counsel at ITEL Corporation. More recently, he has practiced as a large-firm partner (K&L Gates) and a small-firm partner (Berg & Parker), and now operates a "virtual" law firm, collaborating with colleagues electronically. He has handled major litigation nationally and internationally,...

Dallas Verhagen is an attorney at Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray, LLP with a practice focused on transactional business matters. Dallas represents startups and small and large businesses in various industries, including tech, retail, manufacturing, transportation, professional services, marketing and media management, cosmetics, cannabis, food and beverage, and consulting. Dallas advises entrepreneurs, startups, and small and large businesses in all areas of business law, including the formation of business entities, negotiating and drafting employment agreements, implementing employee equity incentive agreements and plans, fundraising transactions, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and more. Dallas also serves as outside general counsel for many...