Five attorneys in Katten’s Entertainment and Media practice in Los Angeles were recognized in Variety Magazine’s 2020 Legal Impact Report, which features and profiles the top litigators, transactional and in-house attorneys in the entertainment business. Congratulations to Entertainment and Media Litigation partners Zia Modabber (who is also chair of the Entertainment and Media Litigation practice), David Halberstadter and Joel Weiner, and Entertainment and Media Transactions partners Michael Hobel (also chair of the Entertainment and Media Transactions practice) and Melanie Tomanov.
Variety recognized Zia for his representation of many of the world’s top music artists in high profile intellectual property, copyright, trademark, defamation and other disputes. He was also named one of Billboard Magazine’s Top Music Lawyers for 2019 in recognition of his 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
David, who has worked with some of the most recognized names in the entertainment industry, including major film studios and television production companies, was recognized by Variety for his ability to defend his clients in intellectual property, defamation and right-of-publicity disputes.
For the fourth time, Variety featured Joel in its Legal Impact Report for his work with major film studios, television production companies, entertainers, directors and professional athletes in entertainment-related copyrights, media law and business and personal disputes.
Michael was recognized by Variety for his broad transactional work in the entertainment industry. Michael's clients include motion picture studios, free, pay and cable television networks, streaming services, Internet and digital media companies, production and distribution companies, financiers, video game companies, rights holders and investors. Michael also advises industry executives on employment contracts, individual talent on agreements for their services on film, television and music products and companies on management and protection of their trademark and copyright assets.
Variety featured Melanie for her wide-ranging practice representing major film studios, production companies and high-profile talent in complex copyright and trademark matters, motion pictures, television and streaming content, licensing, merchandising, publishing, animation, interactive games and apps. Melanie represents some of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable names in animation.
Read, “Variety’s 2020 Legal Impact Report,” in its entirety.
To read more about Zia, David and Joel’s recognition, click here.
To read more about Michael and Melanie’s recognition, click here.
