Katten's managing partner of the California offices and head of the firm's Entertainment and Media Litigation practice, Zia Modabber, was named to Billboard Magazine's "Top Music Lawyers 2020" list, which featured the nation's top attorneys in the music industry.
In recognizing Zia, Billboard highlighted his work defending Michael Jackson's estate in a seven-year long dispute with legendary producer Quincy Jones over royalties from Jackson's albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. Zia, along with Litigation partner Tami Kameda Sims and associate Leah E.A. Solomon, argued on appeal that the jury should not have interpreted Jones' producer agreements, and that in trying to do so got it wrong. Zia argued that the agreements should have been interpreted by the court. The appellate panel agreed, interpreted the proper meaning of Jones's agreements and concluded that Jones was not entitled to any of the nearly $5 million in joint venture profits or remix fees the jury awarded.
Billboard also featured Zia for his work advising Nine Inch Nails' lead singer, Trent Reznor, in trademark protection and musical score agreements.
Read, "Revealed: Billboard's 2020 Top Music Lawyers," in its entirety.
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Managing Partner (Los Angeles) and Chair, Entertainment and Media Litigation+1.310.788.4627
Los Angeles – Century City
