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Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert

By Ryan Van Velzer | Oct. 15, 2015

Oct. 15, 2015

Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert

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Santa Monica

Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert


There is no better place in the world to practice entertainment law than Los Angeles, and few boutiques can claim a client roster quite like the one at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert. Among other notable clients are the Estate of the late Michael Jackson - including policing the unauthorized use of the artist's name and likeness - Justin Bieber and "The Walking Dead" television show creator Frank Darabont.


Co-founder Larry Iser calls practicing law at his firm the "California dream."


"It's really fun to come here and I still wake up in the mornings and I'm excited to come to work. We have very exciting cases, always new clients and interesting matters," he said.


Iser described the firm as practicing law at the sweet spot of entertainment and intellectual
property. Focusing solely on litigation, the firm is at the forefront of cutting edge
profit participation, intellectual property and class action cases.


Among other accomplishments Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert represented Chuck
Lorre, co-creator of "Two and a Half Men," when Charlie Sheen blamed Lorre for his
termination from one of TV's most popular sitcoms, and sued Lorre and the production
studio for $100 million. It's also defending Al Haymon against Top Rank in U.S. District
Court. Top Rank is seeking $100 million and an injunction preventing Haymon from continuing
to put on his Premier Boxing Champions series. The plaintiff claims Haymon violated
federal antitrust laws and the federal Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which makes
it illegal to act as both a manager and a promoter.


Co-founder Howard Weitzman attributed the firm's success to its ability to resolve
problems, be it with aggressive litigation, mediation or arbitration, their attorneys
search for the quickest and most effective resolution.


"A lot of the clients we represent are pretty high profile and can afford fees, but
they want it done in the most practical and quickest way," he said. "Sometimes bigger
firms require more staffing, and more time by the attorneys to get to a certain spot.
We can do a lot of that quicker and in a more favorable way."


The firm's senior partners said they are dedicated to investing in their younger partners
and associates by getting them involved with every aspect of a case. Junior associates
go to court, takes depositions and sit in the client meetings, which Weitzman said
helps build their experience and their expertise.


"We thought we were going to stay smaller and we are past that size," he said. "What's
important for us now is to keep it at a manageable size that allows us to serve the
clients in the same we have for the last nine years."


-RYAN VAN VELZER

#261316

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