Stephen Y. Ma

Stephen Ma’s business litigation and trial practice includes securities litigation, entertainment matters, class actions, real estate disputes, professional malpractice, healthcare, and employment claims.

The Los Angeles Business Journal has named Mr. Ma as one of Los Angeles’ “Most Influential Minority Lawyers.” Mr. Ma has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” for Southern California in the practice areas of business litigation, real estate, and entertainment/sports. He has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© each year since 2018. He previously served as Co-Chair of the Entertainment Law Committee for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“NAPABA”), and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Korean-American Bar Association in Chicago.

Mr. Ma received his Bachelor of Arts in 1992 from Georgetown University, and his Juris Doctorate in 1995 from Northwestern University School of Law.

He is licensed to practice law in California and Illinois.

• Represented technology and entertainment companies and their officers, directors and investors in connection with corporate governance, securities matters, and partnership disputes.
• Defeated fraud and copyright infringement claims against music publisher regarding compositions covered by The Rolling Stones and George Thorogood & The Destroyers.
• Defended prestige skincare companies against class actions alleging false advertising and labeling in U.S. District Court and California courts.
• Regularly represents entertainment companies in connection with employment matters, including wage and hour litigation and proceedings before the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
• Successfully defended Silicon Beach co-working company against contractual and business tort claims by early-stage investors.
• Defended music publishing company against contractual claims brought by Grammy Award-winning performer Bruno Mars.
• Defended multi-million-dollar real estate developers against contractual and business tort claims throughout California, including fraudulent transfer claims.
• Successfully achieved dismissals on the pleadings on behalf of former executives of California lending institution against claims of alleged mortgage securitization fraud.
• Defended officers and employees of semiconductor company in connection with an insider trading investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
• Advised music company in connection with contractual disputes with world's leading production music library.
• Achieved summary judgment on behalf of East West Bank against liens and related claims in connection with $30 million hotel development project in San Francisco.
• Represented former senior executive of public company in restaurant industry in connection with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of alleged insider trading.
• Represented music publishing company against lawsuit filed by R&B singer-songwriter Johnny Gill.
• Defended outside directors of public company in healthcare industry in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of stock options.
• Represented national financial institution against U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of alleged misrepresentations and kickbacks regarding investment advisor services.
• Achieved $2.7 million arbitration award against former owner of Montclair Hospital Medical Center for breach of acquisition agreement and improper retention of Medi-Cal Disproportionate Share Hospital (“DSH”) payments.
• Attained summary judgment on behalf of Bob Barker, host of “The Price is Right,” against plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims.
• Served as trial counsel in arbitration on behalf of selling shareholders of Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp. to enforce contractual earn-out and revenue sharing provisions.
• Defended public company and outside directors in securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation in U.S. District Court and Nevada state court.
• Defended former Chairman and CEO in securities class action, derivative litigation, and related proceedings, including claims by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Represented film production company against claims brought by investors.
• Defended law firms and lawyers against claims for professional malpractice and business torts.