Mr Joel Weiner > Katten > Los Angeles, United States > Lawyer Profile

Katten
515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET
SUITE 1000
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071
CALIFORNIA
United States

Work Department

Litigation

Position

Some of the most prominent companies in the entertainment business turn to Joel Weiner to handle disputes across a broad range of subject matter. With nearly 30 years of litigation experience and vast industry knowledge, he has been trusted by companies like NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Endemol Shine Group, Telemundo and Excel Sports Management with high-profile lawsuits involving series, films and other valuable entertainment properties.

The entertainment industry is a magnet for creative disputes. Joel represents motion picture studios, television networks, production companies and talent on the full spectrum of litigation issues. He frequently handles cases involving copyright, contract, accounting, and business tort claims, as well as personal claims against high-profile entertainers, directors and professional athletes. Some of his recent matters have involved popular reality series such as “The Biggest Loser,” “Keeping Up With the Kardiashians,” and “Ghost Hunters,” as well as scripted series like “Heroes,” celebrity talk shows like “The Wendy Williams Show,” and films like “Ted” and “Machete.”

Whether he’s defending a studio accused of idea theft, interpreting an entertainment industry contract or asserting a producer’s First Amendment rights, Joel adjusts his strategies to the particular business needs of his client. In some instances, those business needs call for avoiding the cost, risk and public attention that comes with taking a case to trial. He has won numerous anti-SLAPP motions with fee awards, motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment, and has mediated or arbitrated many disputes confidentially. In other matters, Joel stands ready to take cases all through trial and beyond, drawing on his substantial appellate experience.

Outside the entertainment industry, Joel represents clients in business litigation involving contract disputes, interference with contract, insurance issues, environmental claims, employment disputes and real estate investment fraud claims, among other areas.

Education

JD, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law; BA, University of California, Santa Barbara

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation

The California-based entertainment and media practice at Katten represents motion picture, music, TV and individuals in IP and media litigation. The firm is instructed by clients to represent them in copyright infringement cases as well as defend them against claims. Zia Modabber spearheads the Los Angeles practice and represents clients in IP, First Amendment and other media litigation for music artists. He also acts as a private mediator for music clients in entertainment disputes. David Halberstadter has represented motion picture studios, production studios and TV networks in breach of contract cases and copyright infringement disputes. Joel Weiner has won clients in the media space anti-SLAPP motions with fee awards, motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgement.

United States > Intellectual property > Copyright

Katten’s intellectual property group leverages the firm’s multi-jurisdictional experience to provide comprehensive IP counsel to global brands in media, entertainment, tech and fashion. The team is headed in New York by chair Deepro Mukerjee, an expert in handling high-profile IP cases and Karen Artz Ash , who has notable expertise in the fashion industry. Contributing to the teams’ nationwide abilities, Floyd Mandell has great experience in IP litigation and Zia Modabber, lauded for her extensive experience within the music industry, leads the team in Los Angeles. Kristin Achterhof , in Chicago, is well-vested in representing leading tech, consumer, entertainment and fashion-industry clients. In LA, David Halberstadter and Joel Weiner, boast deep experience in advising and representing leading entertainment companies on a wide spectrum of litigation issues.