With a practice clients praise for ‘deep technical expertise’, the team at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is sought out for its ability to represent clients in music, film and television, and publishing. Robert A. Jacobs leads the team, all based in Los Angeles, and has a wealth of experience in representing clients in the music and entertainment industry, with a focus on IP, copyright, and trademark infringement matters. Nathaniel Bach adds depth to the team, with expertise in unfair competition matters and First Amendment cases. Sarah Moses works on copyright and trademark cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This practice is distinguished by its combination of deep technical expertise, client setting awareness, and a genuinely client-centric approach.'
'Rather than offering purely theoretical advice, the practice focuses on delivering outcomes that align with clients’ strategic objectives and circumstances.'
‘Nathaniel Bach stands out for his deep subject-matter expertise, strategic insight, and consistent personal involvement in matters.'
'Nathaniel Bach brings a strong, broad, and balanced perspective to complex legal issues and provides clear, decisive advice that is grounded in a thorough understanding of our organisation and external setting.'
‘The team demonstrates great availability to support difficult cases on top of top-notch expertise’
‘I found the partners I worked with to be extremely responsive, strategic, and keyed into big picture concerns.’
Key clients
- DMX Estate / Desiree Lindstrom & Sasha Simmons
- Megan Roup/The Sculpt Society LLC
- Empawa Africa
- The White Stripes
- Airbnb
- Estate of Pop Smoke
- GameChanger Media, Inc.
- Software and Information Industry Association
Work highlights
Represented the Estate of DMX in an IP lawsuit that preserved the Estate's exclusive control over DMX's IP portfolio.
Represented a celebrity fitness instructor and The Sculpt Society in an IP and contract dispute.
Represented Empawa and its artists in a copyright infringement lawsuit against Bad Bunny.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Nathaniel Bach
Practice head
Robert A. Jacobs
Other key lawyers
Nathaniel Bach; Sarah Moses