Latham & Watkins LLP‘s Los Angeles-based practice offers extensive California court experience and an impressive track record in major Hollywood disputes. The firm’s client base encompasses the full spectrum of ESM stakeholders, including production and distribution companies, high net worth individuals, sector associations, and major tech and new media platforms. In addition to handling leading disputes between private clients, the team is also experienced at representing private and public companies in governmental investigations and is trusted to assist with the drafting of new legislation. Team lead Marvin S. Putnam’s portfolio spans a wide array of contentious and transactional matters, while Jessica Stebbins Bina notably represented celebrity clients in litigation relating to their promotion of FTX. Laura Washington and Robert Ellison both act in public investigations and inquiries relating to ESM matters. Copyright claims represent an essential part of the firm’s ESM work, with Andrew Gass and Joe Wetzel possessing expert capability in digital and music disputes, respectively.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘There is no other team that combines the depth of industry knowledge, strategic counsel, litigation skill, and exceptional interpersonal skills the way Latham's team does.'
'The core team of partners each brings a set of strengths that is unique and highly complementary, ensuring that there is always a team member who can bring the right expertise to any project.’
‘All four of the lead partners in the group are among the best lawyers I've ever worked with and each has a unique set of skills.
'Andy provides a perspective on the intersection between competition and copyright law that is unparalleled.'
'Alli is an exceptional strategic advisor and problem solver in areas where there is precious little expertise in the market, particularly in complex areas of music licensing.'
'Joe is a fantastic courtroom litigator and case strategist, including in highly complicated areas that stretch across economics and the law.’

Key clients

Netflix
Amazon
Apple
Meta
MGM
Warner Bros
Endeavor
Pandora
CAA
ICM Partners
Hollywood Foreign Press Association
Live Nation Entertainment
Chess.com
Spotify
Roblox
OpenAI
IMDb.com
The Weekend
Beyoncé Knowles Carter
Thomas Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Larry David, and Shaquille O’Neal
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Miramax

Work highlights

Secured major appellate victories for Netflix in putative class action lawsuits filed by local governments across the country seeking to collect “franchise fees” on Netflix’s streaming services.
Advising NFL star quarterback Tom Brady, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, comedian Larry David, and NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal in multiple lawsuits arising out of their promotion of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
Represented Pandora Media in a suit brought by members of the 1960s rock band The Turtles, securing summary judgment and a complete dismissal of plaintiffs' claims.