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Early Sullivan Congratulates Client Rahman Ali Bugg on Tribeca Film Festival Screening
Category: News | Friday, June 16th, 2023 | Comments Off on Early Sullivan Congratulates Client Rahman Ali Bugg on Tribeca Film Festival Screening
Early Sullivan client Rahman Ali Bugg’s documentary film ‘Exposing Parchman’ was recently screened during the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary examines the inhumane conditions at Mississippi’s oldest maximum security prison, Parchman Prison. Rahman directed the documentary and co-produced it with Jay-Z’s entertainment agency, Roc Nation. ‘Exposing Parchman’ airs on A&E on June 17.
To watch a preview, click here.
Devin McRae Appears on NBC Now to Discuss Ex-Starbucks Manager’s $25M Victory Against the Company In Wrongful Termination Suit
Category: News, Press | Thursday, June 15th, 2023 | Comments Off on Devin McRae Appears on NBC Now to Discuss Ex-Starbucks Manager’s $25M Victory Against the Company In Wrongful Termination Suit
Devin McRae recently appeared on NBC Now in a segment entitled, “Ex-Starbucks manager awarded $25.6 million in wrongful firing suit,” which examined the legal victory of an ex-Starbucks manager who alleged that she was unfairly punished for the arrest of two black men at a Starbucks store and fired because she is white. A federal New Jersey jury recently found in favor of the ex-regional manager, Shannon Phillips, and awarded her $600,000 in compensatory damages along with $25 million in punitive damages.
In the interview, Devin explains that the individuals who were disciplined for the arrests at the Philadelphia Starbucks weren’t actually tied to the conflict, other than being associated with that store location. Following Shannon Phillips’ win, her lawyer said she will be seeking back pay compensation and attorney fees.
Ex-Starbucks manager awarded $25.6 million in wrongful firing suit – NBC Now
Bryan Sullivan Quoted in The Wrap on the Inclusion of “Force Majeure” in Many Hollywood Writers’ Contracts
Category: News, Press | Friday, June 9th, 2023 | Comments Off on Bryan Sullivan Quoted in The Wrap on the Inclusion of “Force Majeure” in Many Hollywood Writers’ Contracts
Bryan Sullivan recently spoke with TheWrap about the inclusion of force majeure in many Hollywood writers’ contracts, including Justin Simien’s, whose Paramount deal was suspended amid the WGA strike.
Justin Simien, the creator of “Dear White People,” learned of his suspended deal with Paramount on his 40th birthday. Paramount cited force majeure in the suspension, which could be invoked for an “unexpected event outside of either party’s control.” Bryan explained that studios can and do invoke it in the event of union strikes like the current WGA strike. He added the usage of the concept is common in Hollywood contracts.
Simien’s deal with Paramount remains on hold and might lead to cancellation if enough time passes. Many of these contracts have clauses allowing for termination of the contract after a specified period, which some believe studios will use to their benefit to cut costs. Simien has had to reduce salaries across his company to keep it financially stable.
To read the full article, click below.
‘Force Majeure’ Looms Over WGA Members as the Financial Pain of Suspended Deals Sets In – TheWrap
Padideh Zargari Named 2023 Southern California “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers
Category: Awards, News | Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 | Comments Off on Padideh Zargari Named 2023 Southern California “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers
The firm is pleased to announce that Padideh Zargari has been named by Thomson Reuters as a 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” The “Rising Stars” distinction honors attorneys that are under the age of 40 in the Southern California region who earned the highest point totals in the “Rising Stars” nomination, research, and blue ribbon review process. The rigorous selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations prior to admission.
Scott Gizer Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Top 100 Lawyers” List
Category: Awards, News | Monday, May 22nd, 2023 | Comments Off on Scott Gizer Named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Top 100 Lawyers” List
The firm is pleased to announce that Scott Gizer was recently selected to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s second annual “Top 100 Lawyers” list. The coveted list recognizes the region’s outstanding legal community by profiling Los Angeles’ top 100 lawyers for their legal achievements, community involvement, and impacts on the profession. Scott’s profile in the special issue discussed his reputation as the go-to coverage counsel for all of the major title insurers in the U.S. as well as the outstanding results he has achieved for his wide range of clients, which range from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses.
To view the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2023 “Top 100 Lawyers” issue, click here.
Eric Early Featured in Los Angeles Business Journal Article Exploring Growth in the Legal Profession
Category: News, Press | Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 | Comments Off on Eric Early Featured in Los Angeles Business Journal Article Exploring Growth in the Legal Profession
Eric Early was recently featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s article “Time to Grow,” which examines the future trajectory of the legal profession in the aftermath of the COVID-19-influenced hiring spree at many law firms.
The article explores how, in today’s uncertain economy, there is a split between firms that are laying off or hesitant to hire after the 2022 hiring surge, and those that are using this unprecedented climate as a means to expand their workforce. It is noted that a major factor for firms currently considering expansion is the anticipated surge in demand for certain specialties, including litigation. In anticipation of this demand, Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae LLP opened an office in Calabasas, California in 2023 to offer the firm’s services in the surrounding areas.
Eric explains to LABJ, “With the hard times going on within the nation, litigators end up with more business, and that’s what we’ve been experiencing quite frankly. For our business, everything looks quite good.”
“Time to Grow” – Los Angeles Business Journal
Bryan Sullivan and Devin McRae Named to Variety’s 2023 “Legal Impact Report”
Category: Awards, News | Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 | Comments Off on Bryan Sullivan and Devin McRae Named to Variety’s 2023 “Legal Impact Report”
Firm partners Bryan Sullivan and Devin McRae were recently selected for inclusion in Variety‘s 2023 “Legal Impact Report,” which honors Hollywood’s top dealmakers and litigators. Bryan was recognized for his representation of attorney Kevin Morris in various legal matters since news broke about his friendship with Hunter Biden, as well as other clients including Miley Cyrus, Chaz Dean, Lionsgate and Enderby Entertainment. Variety highlighted Devin’s representation of Kurt McLeod, who scripted the Gerard Butler-starrer “Copshop,” against his former manager Mark Williams regarding the latter’s role as producer on the film, alleging breach of fiduciary duties and conflicts of interest; and Trina Venit’s domestic violence and coercive control suit against her estranged husband, former WME agent Adam Venit.
The full list for 2023 can be found below.
Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2023: Meet Hollywood’s Top Entertainment Dealmakers and Litigators
Early Sullivan Prevails At Bench Trial Recovering Client’s Stolen Funds
Category: News, Results | Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 | Comments Off on Early Sullivan Prevails At Bench Trial Recovering Client’s Stolen Funds
Early Sullivan Senior Associate Brett Moore successfully obtained a judgment in favor of client Plaintiff Cleredene Sheriff in a breach of contract and conversion matter against Defendant Pamela Azmi-Andrew. Ms. Sheriff retained Early Sullivan for the limited purpose of representing her in a bench trial to recover funds stolen by her late-daughter’s roommate.
In 2017, Colleen Mayne, Ms. Sheriff’s daughter and only child was suffering from breast cancer and had a seizure that ultimately left her in a coma. In the weeks and months following Ms. Mayne’s seizure, Defendant Azmi-Andrew volunteered to help Colleen manage her expenses. Ms. Mayne gave Ms. Azmi-Andrew her credit cards, owned jointly between Ms. Sheriff and her daughter, for that purpose. Defendant ended up using the credit cards to obtain cash advances for herself and to pay for flights, car rentals (including a Lamborghini), and other items. These charges were made without permission from Ms. Sheriff or Ms. Mayne. When Ms. Azmi-Andrew was confronted about the charges, over text messages, she agreed to repay them.
At trial, Defendant contended that the charges were gifts and that Ms. Mayne agreed to loan a large sum of money to Defendant, which she intended to repay. She claimed that she never had possession of Ms. Mayne’s credit cards. She further denied having entered into an agreement to repay the amounts she stole. Notwithstanding Defendant’s defenses and stories explaining the charges made on the cards, on cross-examination by Mr. Moore, her defenses and stories completely unraveled. Ultimately, the Judge stated that he found Defendant’s credibility “wholly lacking” and rendered a verdict in favor of our client. Ms. Sheriff will get nearly everything that was stolen from her, plus interest.
Bryan Sullivan Speaks to IndieWire About Warner Bros. Discovery’s Strategy for the New ‘Max’ Streaming Service
Category: News, Press | Friday, April 14th, 2023 | Comments Off on Bryan Sullivan Speaks to IndieWire About Warner Bros. Discovery’s Strategy for the New ‘Max’ Streaming Service
Bryan Sullivan recently spoke with IndieWire about the announced changes to Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming strategy following their merger. ‘Max’ will be the company’s new leading streaming service, combining the content from HBO Max and Discovery+. The article highlighted the lackluster sentiment some players on Wall Street felt toward the announcement.
At the center of the online discourse for the announcement was the critique on Warner Bros. Discovery’s choice to rebrand the platform to ‘Max’ and remove ‘HBO’ from the name. Bryan came out in support of the name change saying, “From a branding standpoint, it’s easier to say ‘Max.’ One syllable, one word… It might be a joke right now because you’re used to saying ‘HBO Max.’”
Bryan expanded on that idea, explaining how “simple” and “straightforward” names are good choices and that ‘Max’ will soon feel natural. “Nobody’s really going to care (about the name),” Bryan told IndieWire, “they’re just going to focus on the content that’s being promoted and then talk about how great Max is.”
Early Sullivan Client Prevails at Bench Trial Against Adverse Possession Claim
Category: News, Results | Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 | Comments Off on Early Sullivan Client Prevails at Bench Trial Against Adverse Possession Claim
An Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae LLP trial team of Scott Gizer, Padideh Zargari and Brett Moore successfully defended firm client AVTWO Homes LLC against an adverse possession claim in a bench trial before Judge Hammock in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Plaintiffs claimed to be the owners of certain real property in Los Angeles County through adverse possession based on a grant deed they received from Fannie Mae purporting to convey fee title to the property. However, Fannie Mae did not own fee title to the property, but only owned a leasehold interest in the land. Fannie Mae had made a loan to AVTWO Homes’ tenant to purchase a leasehold interest in the property and the loan was secured against that leasehold interest. The tenant’s leasehold interest was documented through a recorded 40-year Ground Lease. Fannie Mae ultimately foreclosed on its deed of trust and its borrowers’ leasehold interest, but then sold the property to Plaintiffs as if Fannie Mae owned fee title.
The Early Sullivan team presented evidence and argued that due to the recorded Ground Lease, Plaintiffs became tenants under the Ground Lease by operation of law and, thus, were precluded from claiming adverse possession under Code of Civil Procedure section 326. Plaintiffs argued that they could not be deemed tenants unless they had actual knowledge of the Ground Lease and consented to its terms. The trial court ruled in favor of AVTOW Homes finding that Plaintiffs took title subject to the Ground Lease and, thus, were in privity of estate with AVTWO Homes under the Ground Lease. Accordingly, under CCP section 326, Plaintiffs could not assert a claim for adverse possession.