Los Angeles shop Bird Marella has etched itself an enviable position among peers in the California trial community. “Bird Marella continues to be an LA boutique powerhouse,” attests a peer, himself a lauded LA trial lawyer. The firm has particular gravitas in the white-collar crime and entertainment spaces, and in the latter practice, it has only increased its firepower of late; Bird Marella made the notable augmentation of adding
John Berlinski to its bench from the LA office of Kasowitz Benson Torres in 2022. Berlinski, a veteran of the practice with a book of A-list clients, represents Brad Pitt and his company in highly publicized multi-jurisdictional lawsuits against Angelina Jolie and others concerning the parties' interests in their French winery. Berlinski is also representing one a gaming and hospitality company in connection with various contractual and licensing disputes involving the planned “20th Century Fox World” theme park, now known as the “Genting SkyWorlds” theme park. These matters arose from the settlement of a lawsuit alleging $1 billion in damages, also handled by Berlinski, against 20th Century Fox and The Walt Disney Company in 2019.
Ekwan Rhow is revered by both clients and contemporaries in the industry. “Ekwan is an incredible trial litigator,” effuses a client. “He is an innovative attorney with a deep understanding of the law as well as what is different and how to navigate trial setting successfully.” Rhow’s practice also encompasses the entertainment industry, although his practice extends well beyond it as well. Rhow and his team are spearheading a series of national class actions in federal district courts around the country that take to task the data privacy policies and interception of private data by companies such as Microsoft, TikTok, Capital One, and Blue Shield. Rhow and his team are also representing Shryne Group, a California-based cannabis entity, in disputes among the purported founders relating to ownership of the company. The matter value is estimated to be over $75 million.
Gary Lincenberg, considered one of the premier white-collar trial lawyers in California. “He just got a big acquittal,” confirms a peer. This commentary alludes to Lincenberg’s successful representation of the former Vice President of Finance of HP/Autonomy in a matter concerning an $8 billion write-off following HP’s 2011 purchase of Autonomy for $11 billion. HP blamed the loss on alleged fraud by Autonomy and its executives. In June 2024, following a three-month trial, Lincenberg scored the aforementioned acquittal for his client. Ariel Neuman is defending Tesla against accusations made by the California Department of Motor Vehicles regarding alleged deceptive advertising of Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features. Neuman also represents Tesla in other confidential matters.
