Conducting its work in Los Angeles, Katten‘s bench of skilled attorneys receives praise for its trial experience and resolution of legal and business disputes. Zia Modabber heads the practice and is a talented litigator and assists with complex, nuanced points of law. David Halberstadter assists a network of TV clients with corporate disputes, including matters relating to financing, production, and distribution of entertainment content. Joel Weiner has amassed considerable experience in copyright, contract, and business torts which he uses to bring the the firm numerous anti-SLAPP successes, high-profile dismissals, and impressive victories in arbitrations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Will Smith
- Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson
- Co-Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson
- Lions Gate Entertainment
- Live Nation
- Sony Music Entertainment; Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Starz Entertainment
- ViacomCBS
- CBS Television Studios
- NBCUniversal Media
- Walt Disney Co
- Creative Artists Agency
- Warner Bros Discovery
Work highlights
- Represented MJJ in an appeal before the California Supreme Court in a dispute that arose from the posthumous Michael Jackson album.
- Represented Viacom CBS in defending claims in a copyright infringement lawsuit against ViacomCBS where the plaintiff alleged that the company infringed upon her pilot script for a proposed television series.
- Represented Starz Entertainment, Lions Gate Entertainment, creator Katori Hall and others in connection with a claim that the Starz television series P-Valley infringes upon a stage play titled Soul Kittens Cabaret.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Zia F. Modabber