![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
James J. Webster
Los Angeles Office Tel: 213-443-3000 Fax: 213-443-3100 jameswebster@quinnemanuel.com Practice Areas Appellate Practice Entertainment and Media Litigation Securities Litigation Transnational Litigation Domestic and International Arbitration & Mediation Real Estate Litigation Intellectual Property Litigation Sports Litigation Education
Harvard Law School (LL.M., 1993)
University of Melbourne, Australia (LL.B., first class honors, 1990)
University of Melbourne, Australia (B. Com., 1989) |
Biography
After practicing in Australia from 1990, Mr. Webster joined the firm in 1993. He has since engaged in complex business disputes in numerous jurisdictions in the United States and abroad, involving both governmental and private entities. Mr. Webster has also represented clients across the media and entertainment spectrum, and has experience in a range of complex actions involving major financial institutions and secured transactions. He has represented international media conglomerates, motion picture studios, television networks, music and concert promoters, talent agencies and advertising agencies. His individual clients have included major motion picture producers, directors and actors, music industry artists and producers, screenwriters and journalists. He has consistently successfully represented those entities and individuals in complex contract, copyright, tort and first amendment disputes. He has also practiced extensively and successfully in a wide range of real estate disputes. Mr. Webster was named a California "Super Lawyer" by the "Super Lawyers" in the 2012 and 2011 editions of Los Angeles Magazine. Notable Representations
Lead counsel for the world's largest concert promoter in defending suits relating to merger with world’s leading live entertainment ticketing and marketing company.
Representing Mattel in the highly-publicized theft of trade secrets and idea theft case against MGA Entertainment ("MGA"), the company which sells the Bratz line of dolls. Mattel alleged that it owns the rights to the fashion dolls because the doll's designer Carter Bryant created the concept while employed at Mattel. On July 17, 2008, after a seven week trial in U.S. District Court in Riverside, California, the jury rendered a unanimous decision that the majority of Bratz design drawings, prototypes and sculpts were created by doll designer Bryant while he was employed by Mattel. The jury also found that MGA and its CEO intentionally interfered with, and aided and abbetted, Bryant's breach of his contractual and fiduciary duties to Mattel. The jury awarded Mattel $100 million.
Represented studio entities in successful affirmation of dismissal of tort claims on first amendment grounds, Long v. Disney, 116 Cal App. 4th 868.
Represented exploration company in $10 billion claim regarding corruption of foreign government concerning major hydrocarbon fields, including racketeering and antitrust claims for treble damages.
Trial counsel on behalf of "deep pocket" motion picture studio defendant in an entertainment industry trial; won nonsuit after closing statements, with $52 million verdict entered against other defendants. Subsequently acted as lead appellate counsel, resulting in affirmation of nonsuit and prior summary adjudication.
Trial counsel on $6 million real estate claims; won specific performance.
Arbitration counsel on $9.5 million claim in construction dispute in the first ever International Chamber of Commerce arbitration in Peru; won complete recovery and defeated adverse claims.
To see more representations, click here |
|