San Geronimo Entertainment & Sports Lawyers

BIG FIRM EXPERIENCE…SMALL FIRM SERVICE® Melvin N.A. Avanzado is the principal of The Avanzado Law Firm, APLC. Mel is a trial lawyer and outside general counsel, representing clients in complex matters in entertainment, media, intellectual property, sports and employment. Mel has extensive experience practicing with big law firms but now practices in his own small firm so he has the ability to provide personalized service to his clients. Mel is extensively involved in his community. Mel is active with numerous non-profit organizations, serving as general counsel to the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles and the UCLA Alumni Association...

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...

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...

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....

Washington Law Firm is a full-service law firm headquartered in Los Angeles County, representing individuals and companies of every size. The firm is recognized for its premier practice, providing business advice to a broad range of persons and companies. Desiree T. Washington is the owner of Washington Law Firm. She obtained a B.A. from the University of Chicago, where she majored in Medieval and Early Modern History. Thereafter, Desiree Washington attended the University of Iowa, College of Law, where she obtained a J.D. emphasizing jurisprudence and civil rights law. Desiree Washington is licensed to practice before the highest courts in the...

The Law Office of Joshua A. Burt provides experienced advocacy in the areas of copyrights, rights of publicity, trademarks, trade secrets, employment and labor, personal injury, civil litigation and client counseling. Joshua Burt’s goal is to provide high quality big firm legal services in a cost-effective small firm environment. Because of Joshua Burt’s big firm experience and small firm environment, the firm is capable of achieving great results for its clients at a much reduced cost to the client.

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

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.

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.

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.

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,...

Accomplished entertainment attorney with over 35 years of experience representing clients in the music, film, television, and performing arts industries.

Chaz Rainey advises clients in the film and television industry on matters related to: copyright litigation, financing, production, new media technologies, rights of publicity, defamation, trade secrets, trademarks, unfair competition and other transactional issues. An internationally recognized lawyer, licensed in the practice of law in California, Nevada, New York, Texas and the District of Columbia, Chaz Rainey is an accomplished litigator, negotiator, and advocate. Chaz has served as lead counsel on over 200 cases in both state and federal court. He has first-chaired more than a dozen jury and bench trials, argued before federal and state appellate courts,...

I have extensive experience in legal, finance, management and company-building.

As an attorney, my focus has been on transactional drafting and negotiation and providing ongoing legal counsel and contract interpretation to numerous private individuals as well as companies in varied fields such as media and entertainment, oil and gas, mining and exploration, virtual reality technologies, private health care, cannabis, and mortgage lending and real estate.

As an entertainment professional, I have acquired, or produced, and distributed dozens of feature films, while usually being active in managing the business and legal affairs of most the companies I have worked for or founded. My...

Daniel R. Freytag is Of Counsel with Meyer Wilson, LPA. He was born in Napoleon Ohio and earned his B.A. at Wittenberg University where he graduated magna cum laude. He went on to attend the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University and earned his J.D. summa cum laude. Mr. Freytag has been a trial lawyer for more than thirty-four years and has represented hundreds of large corporations, small businesses, professionals, and individuals in a variety of complex tort, insurance, and business cases. He has personally examined or cross-examined more than 1000 lay witnesses and more than 150 expert...

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...

Represents and advises performers, writers, directors, creative talent, producers and entertainment professionals in motion pictures, film, television, animation, HD, CGI and 3D productions, graphic arts and design, the Internet, marketing/advertising and new media of all kinds.

Advising international and domestic motion picture studios, production companies, software/technology companies and Web-based businesses in all aspects of rights acquisition, development, financing, production, licensing and distribution in traditional and all available E-commerce, digital, telephony and wireless media delivery platforms worldwide.

Assists and counsels entertainment content and IP/technology owners in the formulation and execution of strategic global rights exploitation programs to maximize the financial performance...

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...

5 years experience with a personal injury firm. Solo practice so I will have plenty of time to provide individualized focus to each of my clients. Entertainment contract review and drafting experience. Cannabis brand business formation experience and trademark filings.

I am a California Business transactional, corporate and real estate attorney. My practice focuses on Corporate, Business and Commercial Law and Real Estate Law, including Purchase and Sale and Leasing transactions. I was born and raised in Oceanside, California, and attended Oceanside High School. I received my B.A. in Economics/Accounting from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA. I received my J.D. from Santa Clara University Law School in 1987. I practiced law for 8 years with Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May (now Reed Smith) in Oakland, CA. I was General Counsel with The Upper Deck Company from 1997-2000. I was Chief Operting Officer...

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...

Jeannine Stepanian is a versatile transactional attorney. Her diverse practice includes entertainment law, intellectual property law, and business transactions. She has represented clients in the entertainment industry, including actors, writers, producers, and directors. She has also represented a wide variety of corporate clients, from small businesses and tech start-ups to non-profit organizations, production companies, and film studios. Prior to forming SLF in 2019, Ms. Stepanian practiced litigation. She has experience in family law, appellate law, and insurance defense. As a former litigator, she is uniquely suited to drafting and negotiating contracts with an aim to protect her clients from future...

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)...

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...

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....

Neama is a prestigious California personal injury attorney. He is the President and co-founder of West Coast Trial Lawyers. Neama graduated from UCLA at the age of 19 and Harvard Law School at the age of 22, making him one of the youngest graduates in the 200-year history of the law school. Upon graduation, Neama was hired by O’Melveny & Myers, the largest law firm in Los Angeles at the time, where he represented companies such as Disney, Marriott, and the Roman Catholic Church. But Neama wanted to help ordinary people, not corporations, so he joined the United States Attorney’s Office, where...

Ginam Lee has been a California licensed attorney since 1999. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Central District of California as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His areas of practice are litigation, real estate, entertainment, intellectual property, alcoholic beverages, franchises, and business affairs. Mr. Lee began his legal career as a legal assistant at a boutique criminal defense firm of Beck & DeCorso in downtown Los Angeles. Since then, he has worked in various legal capacities at major firms such as O'Melveny & Myers in...

Katrina Anne Foley
The Foley Group, PLC

PRACTICE AREAS
Employment law & Contracts; Government Affairs; Elections Law & Campaign Consulting; Non-profit & Foundation formations & Compliance; Artist & Athlete management, visas, and promotion.

Government Affairs & Campaign Consulting as well as Election & Campaign Law Compliance including Treasurer Services & Financial Disclosure Filing.

Employment litigation, including representation in unpaid wage, overtime, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, defamation and breach of contract claims.

Employment litigation lawyer, that was elected to the Costa Mesa City Council for the third time in 2014, serving as mayor from 2016-2017. Foley also served as a Newport Mesa Unified School Board Trustee. Katrina Anne...

For four decades, I have successfully represented clients in the Media & Entertainment industries with Antitrust, Business and Appellate law needs. Licensed in New York and California, I have extensive experience in both domestic and international matters.

As a former Executive Vice President at Paramount Pictures, I am often called as an expert witness for media and entertainment industry disputes. I bring a unique set of skills and understanding to each and every case. I am dedicated to helping clients create strategies and solutions in a quick and efficient manner.

I hold a LL.M. in Trade Regulation, a J.D., and a M.S....