About David Halberstadter

Over more than 35 years of practice, David Halberstadter, the firm's deputy general counsel, has established a reputation among leading entertainment companies as a no-nonsense advisor and talented litigator. When other options fail, he aggressively pursues and defends lawsuits, with a focus on intellectual property-related disputes. Across all his work, clients value David's clear thinking, strategic wisdom and practical business sense.

Straight talk backed by industry knowledge

David represents motion picture studios, production companies, television networks and new media companies. He gives them advice they can actually use — plain-spoken, grounded in common sense and uncluttered by legalese. His useful recommendations are backed by the decades he has spent in the entertainment industry. He also understands the cost burden of litigation and factors that into his advice.

The cases that David litigates cover all aspects of developing, financing, producing and distributing entertainment content. He also plays a significant "behind-the-scenes" role in the development of movies, television shows and new media properties. He helps clients assess and mitigate risk, often answering the question: "Can we do this without getting sued?" He regularly reviews books, magazine articles and other source material to determine the risk of third-party claims likely to arise from adaptations. In other instances, he reviews often-byzantine rights agreements to make sure his clients actually acquire the rights they need for a project. Clients also turn to him for advice on accounting claims asserted by motion picture and television profit participants.

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"Clients highlight his 'comprehension of the law, the media business and his clients' needs, which is combined with excellent service and clear, firm advice.'"

Chambers USA 2018
(California, Media & Entertainment: Litigation) survey response

Practice Focus

  • Entertainment industry litigation
  • Copyright infringement, fair use, parody and termination
  • Trademark infringement and unfair competition
  • Defamation, rights of publicity and privacy, and the First Amendment
  • Rights acquisitions and transfers
  • Contract disputes between companies and third parties, including talent

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center, JD
  • Cornell University, BA
Bar Admissions
  • California
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Community Involvements
  • American Bar Association
  • Los Angeles Copyright Society
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Law360 Media & Entertainment Editorial Advisory Board
Recognitions
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television, 2015–2021
  • Chambers USA
    Media & Entertainment: Litigation, 2013–2020
  • Daily Journal
    Top 75 IP Litigators, 2014, 2017
    Top Intellectual Property Lawyer, 2018–2020
  • Hollywood Reporter
    Power Lawyers List, 2010
  • Law360
    MVP – Media and Entertainment, 2016
  • Super Lawyers
    Southern California, 2004–2021
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2016–2020
  • Variety
    Legal Impact Report, 2014, 2016, 2020