The Cases that "Rocked" the Entertainment World in 2023

Vincent H. Chieffo is the Co-Chair of the National Media and Entertainment Litigation Group. He is an entertainment and media litigator with wide-ranging trial and appellate experience. His practice also includes entertainment transactional work. His litigation experience encompasses disputes throughout the entertainment business, including those involving copyright and trademark infringement, right of publicity, defamation, the rights of estates and heirs in copyrights and other entertainment assets, idea submission, royalties and participations, and distribution and financing agreements. Vincent’s entertainment transaction experience has included advice regarding a wide range of matters from licensing trademarks, copyrights, and rights of publicity; sales and acquisitions of copyright and entertainment catalogues; to music publishing agreements; and motion picture production and distribution agreements.

Bruce Isaacs, Esq. is an accomplished mediator and arbitrator who has settled a wide range of cases including copyright, entertainment, trademark, right of publicity, music, contracts, real estate, insurance, employment matters, and more. Respected by both plaintiffs’ and defense counsel, Mr. Isaacs resolves extremely complex disputes with a combination of excellent problem-solving skills, consistent follow-up, and deep subject-matter expertise.

Mr. Isaacs’s experience as a neutral and a trial lawyer allows him to assist the parties in fully understanding and evaluating the risks associated with their cases. He believes that an essential foundation for a successful mediation is a thorough discussion with the parties regarding the strengths and weaknesses of their respective positions. He knows how to keep the parties engaged, when to listen, and when to be direct, but always diplomatic.

Pierre Pine is a partner at McPherson LLP, where he represents clients in complex entertainment and intellectual property matters, including copyright and trademark infringement, breach of contract, tortious interference, and legal malpractice claims. Practicing law since 2001, he has litigated cases from inception through trial in California’s state and federal courts and was instrumental in securing summary judgment for all defendants in a multi-million-dollar intellectual property dispute involving rights to the “Eleanor” automobile from Gone in 60 Seconds. Since joining McPherson LLP in 2006, Mr. Pine has continued to represent both plaintiffs and defendants in sophisticated entertainment disputes, including Labor Commission hearings involving the Talent Agencies Act.

Mr. Pine’s writing has been featured in leading publications, including the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, and the NYU Journal of Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law blog. A recognized leader in his field, he has received the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his work as Chair of the Entertainment Law Section and was repeatedly named a Southern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Mr. Pine is admitted to practice in California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, where he received numerous academic awards, and his B.A. in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.

Christine Lepera is a Partner at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP. She focuses her practice on the entertainment and media industries as a litigator and strategic advisor. Christine is the Chair of the Music Litigation Practice Group and member of the firm’s Governing Board. Her practice covers the landscape of entertainment/media disputes and issues, including claims of copyright and trademark infringement, unfair competition, right of publicity/privacy violations, and industry contract and commercial disputes.