Loeb & Loeb LLP > Chicago, United States > Firm Profile

Loeb & Loeb LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 1

The intellectual property group at Loeb & Loeb LLP remains a force in the marketplace, leveraging the deep bench strength of locations in the US and Asia, to represent household names such as Netflix and Paramount Pictures in high-stakes copyright litigation. The practice is led in Los Angeles by fashion, luxury, and retail sector expert Melanie Howard (who brings experience to matters involving cryptocurrency, blockchain and NFTs) and in New York by Barry Slotnick, a music and entertainment specialist whose past clients have included the Beastie Boys, David Guetta, and the J.R.R. Tolkien estate. David Grossman in Los Angeles is a go-to for major clients in film and television and successful defended Netflix and the Duffer Brothers in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed over the series Stranger Things. Jonathan Zavin handles matters for major recording and publishing clients in New York. Tal Dickstein, also in New York, works alongside Slotnick on film industry matters. Wook Hwang left the team in April 2024.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 1

Praised for providing clients with 'calm guidance', Loeb & Loeb LLP‘s capital markets and corporate team assists a wide range of public and private companies, investment funds and family offices with a range of domestic and cross-border M&A work. The unit is frequently sought out by clients from industries in the such as entertainment, technology and financial services to guide them through impactful transactions. Leadership duties are divided between the New York-based Mitch Nussbaum, who routinely counsels growth companies on IPOs and SPAC transactions, and the Los Angeles-based Arash Khalili, who is well versed in brand monetization issues in the sports industry. Further key contacts in the New York office include Tahra Wright, who focuses on public M&A and securities law matters, Lloyd Rothenberg, who specializes in advising Israeli startups on mergers as well as on stock and asset purchase agreements, and Ronelle Porter, who handles a broad array of transactional and corporate finance mandates. Also in New york, Megan Stombock has developed a market reputation for her knowledge of the entertainment industry.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: transactional and regulatory Tier 1

Loeb & Loeb LLP works at the nexus between advertising, marketing, and technology, offering cross-functional services including counseling on advertising, marketing, media, IP, brand marketing, technology, and privacy law. The practice represents industry-leading clients from various sectors and is frequently involved in complex matters as well as cases relating to emerging areas such as cryptocurrency and NFTs. In New York, James Taylor is particularly adept at handling matters relating to adtech, technology-enabled transactions, media-related agreements, and privacy and data protection issues. Melanie Howard, based in Los Angeles, is a known name for her IP work and has extensive experience in the fashion, luxury, and retail sectors. On the front of technology-driven transactions is Amir Azaran, based in Chicago. He regularly advises on transactional matters pertaining to blockchain, cryptocurrency, and AI. The firm also benefits from the expertise of Chicago-based Brian Heidelberger who is concerned with advertising and promotions matters. Nerissa Coyle McGinn and Seth Rose are notable practitioners for their expansive knowledge of advertising and promotions, marketing campaigns, and IP. They are both based in Chicago. In New York, Kenneth Florin focuses on matters involving the convergence of advertising and promotions, as well as the use of innovative technologies and digital media. Chicago-based Caroline Hudson is an active member of the practice and represents clients before regulatory authorities including the NAD and Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program.

Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities) Tier 1

Loeb & Loeb LLP acts for prominent nonprofits across numerous sectors, including education, healthcare, and conservation, with expertise handling the full spectrum of tax matters. The group handles all aspects of tax compliance, in addition to covering audits and investigations and advising on marketing and corporate governance. Jointly leading the team are Diara Holmes of Washington DC, Jason Lilien of New York, and Leah Bishop, who is based in Los Angeles. Other core team members in DC include Marcus Owens, who has significant experience in the practice area and previously worked within the Exempt Organizations Division of the IRS, and Neil Lefkowitz, who is noted for his ability to provide tax advice in the context of education sector M&A. In Los Angeles, Stuart Tobisman is regularly sought out by high net worth individuals for estate and tax planning advice. New York-based Talia Metson made partner in early 2024 and has experience advising nonprofits of all sizes, including religious entities and health care groups. Kimberley Eney joined the DC office from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in July 2023.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 2

Noted for its ability to ‘provide considered, well thought through advice’, Loeb & Loeb LLP demonstrates notable prowess across licensing agreements, global portfolio management and brand strategy, frequently handling cutting-edge technologies, and is well-positioned to operate for standout clients such as the Estate of Kobe Bryant, Carrie Underwood and City National Bank. Fashion, luxury and retail expert Melanie Howard, who fields a strong practice comprising of strategic brand protection guidance and assisting clients with IP issues surrounding M&A and other commercial transactions, jointly leads from Los Angeles with Sara Crisafulli, who is particularly well-versed in fashion, entertainment, hospitality and technology and media sectors. Bess Morgan leads from Nashville, possessing extensive experience in managing domestic and international trademark portfolios, and in counselling clients on brand selection and clearance. in LA, Jorge Arciniega leverages his vast experience in the field to assist clients with global trademark portfolio management, while David Grace is demonstrably capable of advising start-ups, established brands and Fortune 500 companies.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

Loeb & Loeb LLP specializes in representing clients before the NAD in challenges pertaining to comparative claims, environmental claims, native advertising, and product packaging claims to name a few. Additionally, it is involved in NARB disputes, Lanham Act false advertising claims, class actions, and IP disputes. The New York-based team is chaired by David Mallen and Chicago-based Thomas Jirgal. Mallen’s former position as deputy director of the NAD gives him extensive expertise in defending and challenging claims before the NAD, NARD, and other regulatory authorities. Jirgal has substantial experience representing clients from a range of industries in matters including false advertising, antitrust, and unfair competition. Elizabeth O’Neill is a notable name in the group for her focus on claim substantiation issues as well as defending and challenging claims before the NAD.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 2

With its robust interdisciplinary composition and strengths in IP litigation, entertainment labor, and corporate matters, Loeb & Loeb LLP‘s media and entertainment team excels in helping clients seize cross-sector expansion opportunities in various areas of the market, including motion pictures and interactive media. The team is well-regarded for its ability to advise on innovative licensing and streaming deals in the music industry, providing strategic counsel to music companies, financial institutions, and leading technology firms. The practice also regularly handles transactions for clients active in the Broadway and live theatre, non-scripted television, sports, and new media spaces. Co-heading the practice from Los Angeles is Scott Edel, an expert in production, financing, and distribution transactions, while in New York, co-head Roger Arar specializes in network licensing agreements, finance, distribution, and production transactions. Other key figures in New York are Marc Chamlin, who chairs the firm’s television department, and music expert Debbie White. Los Angeles partner John Frankenheimer is also noted for his representation of clients in the music space, including record companies and distributors, multinational and independent music publishers and major artists. Sponsorship and licensing expert Bess Morgan, who practices from Nashville, is a further name to note.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 2

Loeb & Loeb LLP has a robust record in ITO and BPO work as well as in legacy outsourcing and next-generation sourcing transactions, particularly in the fields of cloud-based solutions, machine learning, AI, and robotic process automation. Clients in the healthcare, insurance, and real estate sectors benefit from the team's holistic approach, bolstered by collaboration with lawyers from the firm's digital media, IP, and payment technology teams. The well-established Kenneth Adler spearheads the practice and handles complex national and global outsourcing transactions, with particular strengths in outsourcings related to infrastructure, call centers, and financial services. Adler is also well-versed in deals realted to cloud computing and multi-sourced environment strategies. Akiba Stern’s scope of work extends to the structuring and implementation of commercial strategies, in addition to strong BPO work for financial services institutions and investment banks. Benjamin Kabak is a trusted advisor for ITO and BPO transactions, working closely with clients in the healthcare and personal care sectors. From the Chicago branch, Liz Allen‘s core strengths include matters relating to media, advertising, and tech, while Alison Pollock Schwartz is reputed for her work involving the development of RFP strategies, contract negotiation strategies, and post-execution risk management. Listed lawyers are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Industry focus > Sport Tier 3

Frequently providing counsel to individual investors and ownership groups in bids for professional sports franchises and esports teams, the Loeb & Loeb LLP team is active across transactions in the entertainment, financial services, and  telecommunications spaces. Based out of Los Angeles, Arash Khalili co-heads the practice and is noted for his vast experience handling M&A and joint ventures on behalf of professional athletes and public companies. Co-head Brian Socolow, who divides his time between Washington DC and New York, specializes in advising clients on media broadcast and distribution agreements as well as on trademark licenses, while Chicago-based Seth Rose and Douglas Masters stand out for their knowledge on advertising and IP issues, primarily within the tech and automotive sectors. Also in Chicago, Lisa Wiznitzer primarily focuses on joint ventures and corporate transactions.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 3

Loeb & Loeb LLP offers an experienced intellectual property practice that is active in the media and entertainment sphere. Its skilled litigators can handle all aspects of IP disputes in state, federal, and appellate courts; as well as arbitration tribunals. Barry Slotnick chairs from the firm’s New York office and is renowned in the music industry for his copyright expertise. In Los Angeles, Sunny Brenner combines his knowledge of IP theory with a deep understanding of the entertainment industry, Jim Curry is an accomplished litigator that focuses on distribution issues, IP, and media torts, and Tal Dickstein assists his music, motion picture, and advanced media clients with their complex legal and business issues, and John Gatti has extensive litigation and trial experience at all levels of the US judiciary. Tim Warnock, based in Nashville, is a seasoned trial litigator and an approved Rule 31 mediator in Tennessee. Wook Hwang left the firm in April 2024.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 3

Boasting a strong record of securing entitlements for high-profile projects, Loeb & Loeb LLP‘s land use practice is capable of guiding clients through the development process, from conception and feasibility through community and political outreach to processing and land use litigation. New York’s Raymond Sanseverino is the firm’s chair of the wider real estate department. With extensive experience working with governmental entities and private developers, Paul Rohrer is the co-deputy chair in Los Angeles, while Steven Kornblau is the co-deputy chair in New York and is an expert on real estate financing matters. New York’s Nichole Cortese heads the commercial real estate leasing group. Other key members of the Los Angeles-based team are Allan Abshez and Elizabeth Camacho, who focus on land use and development law, environmental review, and litigation, and Sophia Mei-Ling Chang, who is experienced in advising on public land, public infrastructure, and affordable housing developments. New York partner Brian Helweil arrived from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in May 2023, and Chrystal Dyer LaRoche, also based in New York, joined from Ropes & Gray LLP in April 2023.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Loeb & Loeb LLP has extensive experience within the white-collar legal landscape, which ranges from money laundering and fraud to FCPA violations and public corruption. Jeremy Margolis and Andrew DeVooght are based in Chicago. Margolis is an expert in fraud matters, including fraud that relates to banking, healthcare, and tax. DeVooght is recommended for companies needing an experienced lawyer to conduct internal investigations. Also located in Chicago, Joseph Duffy is another seasoned lawyer in the team who has significant experience acting for executives facing investigations into insider trading, antitrust violations, and bribery. Practicing from the firm’s New York office, Jay Musoff frequently defends large corporations and their directors in securities litigation. Tiffany Moseley left the firm’s Washington DC office in January 2023.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 4

Noted for its work in relation to AI, cloud platform, and NFT projects, the technology and sourcing practice at Loeb & Loeb LLP routinely works with established clients in the healthcare, media, and real estate sectors. The firm deals with enterprise software, tech acquisition projects, and SaaS solutions. Kenneth Adler leads the department and has demonstrable experience in the renegotiation of IT agreements in addition to advising on data security strategies. Akiba Stern is reputed for his know-how in tech transfer and e-commerce projects, while Benjamin Kabak focuses on the negotiation of corporate tech agreements. In Chicago, Alison Pollock Schwartz advises on data licensing and IT-related consulting, while Liz Allen concentrates on tech- and media-related advertising and marketing. Unless otherwise specified, all named individuals are based in New York.

Real estate Tier 4

With extensive experience advising on all sides of deals, Loeb & Loeb LLP acts for lenders, borrowers, developers, and investors across a wide gamut of real estate matters that includes acquisitions, disposals, and leasing as well as real estate finance and litigation. Advising on a number of headline deals, including its representation of The Buffalo Bills in the development of a new stadium, the practice is noted for its broad coverage of asset classes spanning industrials and office through to residential. Based in New York, Raymond Sanseverino serves as global chair, with Christopher Barbaruolo leading on real estate investments and transactions. Meanwhile, Nichole Cortese leads the leasing side, and real estate finance head Steven Kornblau being praised by one client as ‘an exceptional attorney with a very deep knowledge of complex issues.’ Also noted is deputy chair of the investments and transactions team, Victoria Stephanova, who is regularly involved in a broad set of finance and investment transactions.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 5

Loeb & Loeb LLP combines expertise in FDA regulatory issues with a specialization in patent litigation, advising clients on the marketing and commercialization of their drugs and representing them in patent disputes, including those falling under Hatch-Waxman. Washington DC-based Jim Czaban takes the lead on FDA compliance across the life cycle of medical products and representing them in enforcement actions. Mitchell Nussbaum handles a range of corporate and capital markets matters, with Fran Stoller on research collaborations, licensing agreements and securities law. Mark Waddell represents clients in Hatch-Waxman and biosimilars litigation, as does Kathleen Gersh, who also advises on FDA regulation. Unless otherwise specified, all lawyers are New York-based.