Julia R. Haye

Entertainment

• Obtained summary judgment for a business management firm in a first-of-its-kind “idea theft” claim filed by a talent manager concerning the eligibility of touring musicians and bands to receive Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (“SVOG”), a COVID-19 relief program established during the pandemic
• Represented the Cisneros Group of Companies in a multi-faceted, entertainment-related business dispute
• Represented Marvel Entertainment, owner of the copyrights in Spider-Man, Iron Man and numerous other iconic characters in various matters involving intellectual property disputes, profit participation rights and general litigation
• Regularly represents Epic Pictures Group in connection with the financing, production and distribution of independent feature films
• Represented the owner of the Friday the 13th movie franchise in a dispute with the producer of the original film
• Represented the producer of the classic horror film The Last House on the Left in a dispute with his business partner concerning the 2009 remake of the film
• Represented screenwriting team in negotiation of screenplay sale and writing services agreement with major motion picture studio
• Represented Gameloft, S.A., one of the world’s largest publishers of mobile phone video games, in a copyright and trademark dispute brought by Activision in connection with the video game “Guitar Hero"
• Represented Apple Corps, Ltd., the holder of the rights to The Beatles, in a trademark dispute with Apple Computer over the right to use the “Apple” mark in connection with Apple’s iTunes and iPod businesses
• Represented the owners of the rights in Winnie the Pooh in their action against Disney for fraud and breach of contract relating to Disney’s obligation to pay royalties
• Part of the litigation team that represented an Academy Award winning composer in a multi-faceted dispute with his long-time business partner
• Part of the litigation team that represented and achieved favorable settlements on behalf of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman when their names and likenesses were used without permission by cosmetics company Sephora
• Represented the heirs of motion picture director William Wyler in a contractual dispute with Wyler’s former business manager involving the motion picture Ben-Hur
• Represented several screenwriters in connection with idea submission claims against major motion picture studios
• Regularly represents young, up and coming filmmakers, writers and producers in connection with various film and television projects

Complex Business

• Part of the high-profile trial team that won a $104 million jury verdict against Exxon Mobil for polluting New York City’s water supply
• Represented a Los Angeles real estate developer in a dispute concerning the acquisition of two well-known, Los Angeles area properties worth over $500 million
• Part of the litigation team that represented a Los Angeles real estate developer and his investment company in a hotel partnership dispute and obtained a $15.5 million settlement in favor of our client based on an approximately $2 million investment
• Part of the litigation team that successfully represented a well-known real estate development client in defense of a $150 million claim for breach of a real estate partnership; after a three and a half month trail, the Court determined that our client was not liable
• Represented an established salesperson in a breach of contract action against his former employer to obtain lost profits

High Net Worth, Trusts & Estates and Probate Litigation

• Represented former trustee in a multi-year dispute involving questionable trust amendments and alleged misconduct by the current trustee. Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement for the client.
• Currently representing a beneficiary of his deceased father’s trust in an action to compel an accounting, remove the acting trustee, and impose a surcharge for failure to provide required trust information.
• Lead trial counsel in a trial challenging the validity of a trust amendment executed by a settlor with Alzheimer’s Disease that was never delivered as required by the trust. Secured a Final Statement of Decision in favor of the firm’s trustee client; currently handling the appeal.
• Represented the professional trustee of multiple subtrusts established under the family trust of a well-known author in a highly contentious action involving complex beneficiary-standing issues. Achieved a global settlement approved by the court and continue to advise on post-settlement matters.
• Representing interim trustees of a $70 million trust in ongoing litigation focused on the operation of a no-contest clause and the validity of a challenged amendment. Assisted in successfully overturning a trial court ruling on appeal, with the California Supreme Court declining review. The matter remains active with continued disputes over administration and amendment enforceability.
• Represented a wife in her divorce proceeding against her husband, a Silicon Valley billionaire, who is best known as the unofficial third founder of Google and originator of the code that powers the search giant.
• Served as co-counsel with family law counsel in connection with a dissolution proceeding involving a well-known influencer/actor and a famous entertainer.