Attorney for musicians joins Davis Wright Tremaine

As Peter J. Anderson gears up for trial over an infringement claim he previously defeated on behalf of Led Zeppelin, he'll have copyright and entertainment experts at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP to turn to for support.

Anderson has joined the firm's media and entertainment practice group as a partner in Los Angeles, the firm announced Wednesday. Lately one of the industry's most high-profile trial lawyers, Anderson recently won the dismissal of a $25 million copyright lawsuit against Gwen Stefani and others over her song, "Start the Fire." Morrill v. Stefani, 17-cv-07301 (C.D. Cal., filed Oct. 4, 2017).

He also won one of the most high profile entertainment cases of 2016, alongside co-counsel Helene M. Freeman of Philips Nizer LLP, on behalf of Warner/Chappell Music Inc. and Led Zeppelin. Brought over the legendary rock band's song "Stairway to Heaven," the lawsuit and Anderson's representation are ongoing as judicial errors prompted a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel to recently remand the case back to federal court for a retrial. Skidmore v. Zeppelin, 15-cv-03462 (C.D. Cal., filed May 31, 2014).

The firm's media, entertainment and intellectual property group gains its 75th member with Anderson's arrival in the last few weeks, the 20th working out of the Los Angeles office, Alexandra Nicholson, who chairs the group, celebrated the addition of Anderson in a statement Wednesday.

"Peter's arrival represents a major expansion of our national entertainment practice," said Nicholson. "He bolsters our exceptional strength in intellectual property litigation and will significantly raise our profile in the music industry."

The move will certainly be a shift for Anderson, who sought to maintain a low profile for his Santa Monica solo practice despite his high profile client list. In a statement, He said Wednesday his firsthand experience with the firm, coupled with its ever-expanding national practice, proved enough incentive for the jump. With 550 attorneys nationally and growing, has the presence to help "with a recurring issue I've faced representing clients in copyright and entertainment litigation filed outside California."

"I'm delighted to be able to bring my clients access to the firm's extraordinary resources and look forward to contributing my expertise to this highly collaborative team," he said.