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Month: August, 2021

Devin McRae Recognized as 2021 “Visionary” by L.A. Times B2B Publishing Business of Law Magazine

The firm is pleased to note that Devin McRae was selected to appear in the L.A. Times B2B Publishing Business of Law Magazine as a 2021 “Visionary.” This designation is reserved for extraordinary attorneys who are demonstrating leadership within their firms, the legal field, and the community at large. In the publication, Devin’s profile featured his roles in several high-profile litigation matters, including a widely-publicized insurance coverage bad faith action against an insurance company that failed its insureds after the Woolsey Fire.

To read the full issue of Business of Law, click here.

To read Devin’s profile, click here.

Bryan Sullivan Examines ‘Nevermind’ Album Cover Lawsuit for The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes

Bryan Sullivan recently provided insight to The Hollywood Reporter and Forbes on the newly filed lawsuit against Nirvana over the cover of its 1991 album “Nevermind.” The lawsuit, filed by the man who appeared as an infant on the iconic album cover, alleges that the image violates federal child pornography statutes and amounts to exploitation material. In his article for Forbes entitled “Nirvana Suit Is Baseless, Frivolous, And An Insult To Victims Of Heinous Crimes,” Bryan analyzes the legal and factual frivolousness of the plaintiff’s claims and points to the photo’s failure to meet the U.S. Supreme Court’s three-prong test for obscenity. When asked for insight by THR, Bryan also explained that even in the remote possibility that the plaintiff’s parents did not sign a release authorizing the use of their son’s image, the lawsuit was still filed on shaky grounds.

“I think it is highly unlikely that a record company would use a photograph for an album cover without verifying the existence of a release signed by the parents,” Bryan told THR. “But, if there is no release, it does not mean he has a claim for child pornography. As to the right of privacy, you can waive it by your actions or by his parents’ actions in allowing him to be photographed.”

Bryan’s comments to THR and his piece in Forbes can be found below.

The Hollywood Reporter

Forbes

Nine Early Sullivan Attorneys Named “Best Lawyers in America;” One Named to “Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch”

Early Sullivan attorneys Eric Altoon, Eric Early, David A. Giannotti, Scott E. Gizer, Sophia S. Lau, Stephen Y. Ma, Devin A. McRae, Christopher I. Ritter, and Bryan M. Sullivan have been recognized among the top lawyers in the nation in the 2022 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America,” one of the oldest and most distinguished guides to the legal profession. 

The following attorneys earned a spot in the 2022 edition for their work in the following practice areas:

Eric Altoon– Real Estate Law

Eric Early – Commercial Litigation; Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television; Entertainment Law – Music; Litigation – Real Estate

David A. Giannotti– Environmental Law; Litigation – Environmental

Scott E. Gizer– Commercial Litigation

Sophia S. Lau – Commercial Litigation; Entertainment Law – Music; Litigation – Intellectual Property

Stephen Y. Ma– Entertainment Law – Music

Devin A. McRae– Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television; Litigation – Intellectual Property

Christopher I. Ritter – Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television; Litigation – Intellectual Property

Bryan M. Sullivan- Commercial Transactions / UCC Law; Entertainment Law – Music

Additionally, Garrick Vanderfin was named to“Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in the practice area of Real Estate Law. This award recognizes younger attorneys who have achieved outstanding professional excellence.

“Best Lawyers” is one of the oldest and most respected guides to the legal industry. The selection process is based on a comprehensive peer-review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within common legal practices and geographical areas. Corporate Counsel magazine has called “The Best Lawyers in America” “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

 

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