Representative Matters
- Represents a prolific and acclaimed showrunner in dealings with and audits of Warner Bros. regarding his numerous hit shows.
- Represents Creative Artists Agency and its agents in various matters, including a dispute with a filmmaker's former agent over commissions, a dispute over claimed representation, and a dispute with a music venue.
- Represented the creator, writer, and executive producer of the worldwide hit television series The Walking Dead, and talent agency CAA, in a suit against AMC in New York. The plaintiffs alleged that AMC produced the show and licensed it for broadcast to itself for license fees well below market rates, resulting in diminished profits for the show and its participants. After defeating two of AMC’s motions for summary judgment and several key motions in limine, the case settled for $200 million plus future revenue sharing related to streaming exhibition of The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead.
- Represented the executive producer of the hit television series Bones in a lawsuit against 20th Century Fox Television, the Fox network and affiliated companies. The plaintiff alleged that 20th Century Fox Television cheated him out of his share of profits from the show, and that network executives threatened to cancel the series if he did not accept a lower licensing fee from Fox. The arbitration resulted in a $179 million award for the plaintiffs. The case settled pending appeal of the award.
- Represents the creators of the famous series Cheers and Frasier in audits of CBS.
- Successfully represented New Republic Pictures in a month-long jury trial brought by its former president.
- Represented the author of an iconic song from an iconic 80s film to recover his rights to the song from the film studio.
- Represented the creator of the play on which the hit Netflix series Heartbreak High was based in a dispute over credit and profits.
- Represented a famous director/producer whose blockbuster film was released straight to the studio’s affiliated streaming service rather than theatrically, as contemplated by the parties. The matter settled shortly after Chad filed a demand for arbitration with JAMS.
- Represented the estate of Sam Simon in profit participation audits of Twentieth Century Fox regarding The Simpsons.
- Represented television creator/showrunner Darren Star in a dispute regarding Emily in Paris.
- Represented the producer of the classic “Spaghetti Westerns” The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and For a Few Dollars More in a lawsuit against MGM over profits. The case settled shortly after Chad defeated MGM’s motion for summary judgment and two key motions in limine.
- Represented national insurance brokerage USI in disputes regarding trade secrets and solicitation of clients and employees. Served as lead trial counsel in a jury trial held in Los Angeles Superior Court against a former USI producer for breaching her duty of loyalty. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Chad's client.
- Represented the creators, writers, and executive producers of the hit television series Smallville in a suit against Warner Bros. Television (the studio that produced the series), The CW network (the network that broadcast the series) and related entities. The plaintiffs alleged that Warner Bros. Television licensed the show for broadcast on its affiliated “sister” network The WB (which later became The CW) for fees well below market rate, resulting in diminished profits for the show. The case settled after Chad defeated two Warner Bros. motions for summary judgment.
