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Mr. Shields is an accomplished trial lawyer with extensive experience in intellectual property, employment, and entertainment matters, as well as general business litigation.  Mr. Shields' intellectual property practice includes patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress, trade secret, and idea theft litigation.  He has litigated numerous cases through trial and appeal, in state and federal courts in California and across the country.

In 2005, Mr. Shields was one of five attorneys in the country featured in the National Law Journal's article on "fast-track" partners.

Representing Nokia Corporation in global litigation against Qualcomm Incorporated involving 4 patent infringement actions in the U.S., 3 related contract and declaratory relief actions in the U.S., and additional patent infringement actions overseas.

In employment litigation, he has represented International Business Machines Corporation, Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Walt Disney Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Inc., Lowe's Companies, Inc., Home Savings of America, Packard-Hughes Interconnect Company, and Harman/Becker Automotive Systems.

In intellectual property litigation, he has represented Avery Dennison Corp., Mattel, Inc., Bancorp Services, LLC, Home Box Office, Inc., Alliance Atlantis Communications, Inc., and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In entertainment litigation, he has represented American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., United Talent Agency, Inc., Icon Distribution Inc., Abandon Entertainment, and Miramax Film Corp.

Represented Packard-Hughes Interconnect Company, a subsidiary of Delphi Corporation, in an employment action brought by a 25-year employee of the company who had been demoted from her position in the human resources department.  Before trial, obtained summary adjudication on the plaintiff's claims for gender discrimination and harassment.  At trial, obtained a complete defense verdict on the plaintiff's remaining claims of age discrimination, harassment, and retaliation after a five-week jury trial.

Represented Home Savings of America in a case involving a former employee's claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.  Obtained a complete defense verdict following a two-week jury trial.

Represented DIC Animation City, Mattel, Hallmark Cards, Artisan Pictures, and United Feature Syndicate in a copyright infringement action brought by the widow of a well-known screenwriter.  Obtained a complete defense verdict on behalf of defendants after a two-week jury trial.

Represented Icon Distribution Inc. in a case against a major theatre chain involving accounting of revenues from theatrical screenings of the popular film "The Passion of the Christ."  Obtained an award in favor of Icon following a two-day arbitration.

Represented the Pasadena POPS Orchestra in a labor dispute brought on behalf of four tenured musicians who alleged they were terminated in retaliation for participating in union activities, in violation of the local's collective bargaining agreement.  Obtained a ruling in favor of the Orchestra on two of the grievants' claims following a five-day arbitration hearing.  The other two grievances were resolved on terms favorable to the Orchestra after the second day of arbitration.

Represented Scotts Lawn and Garden in an antitrust jury trial in the Southern District of New York.  Plaintiff alleged an unlawful agreement in restraint of trade and conspiracy to monopolize the consumer market for herbicides and sought $250 million in damages.  Obtained a complete defense verdict after four weeks of trial.

Represented two German nationals who moved to Santa Barbara and sued media giant Bertelsmann AG and its former CEO. While working for Bertelsmann, these former executives had been the driving force behind the creation and development of AOL Europe, a joint venture between Bertelsmann and AOL. When Bertelsmann sold its interest in AOL Europe for $6.75 billion, it refused to compensate plaintiffs. They asserted claims for breach of contract and breach of partnership agreement, among others.  Obtained a $295 million verdict. It was the seventh largest jury verdict in the nation that year.

Represented Avery Dennison, in a case where for seven years, a Taiwanese competitor collaborated with an Avery Dennison employee to steal trade secrets. Worked with the FBI and the Department of Justice to catch the thieves red-handed. A sting operation videotaped the competitor accepting trade secrets in a hotel room. The defendants were arrested that night. The next morning served them with a complaint and a temporary restraining order. The Cleveland jury ultimately awarded the client $80 million.

Represented, as lead appellate counsel, Avery Dennison Corp. in a case involving the same Taiwanese competitor's request to obtain trade secret documents from Avery Dennison for use in foreign litigation under the Hague Convention.  The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's decision in favor of Avery Dennison in a published opinion.  Four Pillars Enterprises Co. v. Avery Dennison Corp., 308 F.2d 1075 (9th Cir. 2002).

Represented the investment company Waterton Management and its manager in a securities action arising from the merger of two internet companies shortly before the burst of the dot com bubble.  Obtained summary judgment on claims of common law fraud, securities fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, which was affirmed on appeal.

Represented American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. and Valleycrest Productions Ltd., in a case brought by a former contestant on the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."  Plaintiff alleged that the question he answered incorrectly on the show was unfair, and asserted claims for breach of contract and negligence.  Obtained summary judgment for the defendants, which was affirmed on appeal.

Represented U.S. Filter Wastewater Group, Inc. and United States Filter Corporation, both subsidiaries of Vivendi, in a case involving claims for breach of contract and fraud relating to a real estates sales contract.  Obtained summary judgment on all claims.  The court also awarded the defendants $285,000 in attorneys' fees and costs.