Representative Matters

Film & Television Profit Participants Litigation

Nick represents a wide swath of clients in the entertainment, media, digital, and technologies businesses, including motion picture and television talent, creators of television and streaming series, reality and unscripted television stars and producers, and rights holders in the entertainment and media businesses. He:

• Represented MRC and affiliated companies sued for copyright infringement in connection with the hit film “The Blackening” by plaintiffs who alleged the film’s story was based upon their card game. Plaintiffs filed suit seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) in federal court in Ohio, and in response to the opposition filed by KHIKS, the Court dismissed the action for lack of personal jurisdiction and transferred the action to federal court in Los Angeles. After MRC filed an opposition to the TRO. U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer on June 16, 2023, denied the motion for a TRO. In her ruling, Judge Fischer found that: “Plaintiffs present little to no detail regarding either the game or the screenplay, and there is no reason to believe that the expression of ideas in either has been copied in the making of the film.” The ruling continues, “Plaintiffs have also not shown any significant likelihood of irreparable harm” and “have not established that any of the relevant factors favor an injunction.” The film premiered in theatres in June 2023 and was a box-office success. 
• Obtained $179 million arbitration award, the largest arbitration award ever issued in a profit participation dispute, representing 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 case settled pending appeal of the award.
• Represents the screenwriter of the box office smash Bohemian Rhapsody in a profit participation suit against the producer.
• Represents the lead of the television show Leverage against the studio in a lawsuit against the studio over the reboot.
• Represents the showrunner of a hit cable drama in a self-dealing lawsuit against the studio. The case is pending in arbitration.
• Represented a director/producer whose film was released on a studio’s affiliated streaming service rather than theatrically, as contemplated by the parties. The case settled on favorable terms shortly after the filing of the arbitration demand.
• Represents the producer of the television miniseries It in lawsuit against Warner Brothers arising out of the record breaking two-part film adaptation.
• Represented the creator, writer, and executive producer of the worldwide hit television series The Walking Dead, and leading talent agency CAA, in a suit against the AMC television network. 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. The suit settled for $200 million.
• Represented the producer of a hit action film in post-audit arbitration against a mini-major distributor. The parties resolved their dispute amicably thereafter.
• Represented the creator, writer, and star of a long-running basic cable drama in an arbitration against the indie studio. The case settled on favorable terms at the outset of arbitration.
• Advises the producers and creators of numerous past and still-running hit television series in connection with the ongoing audits of their respective studios.

The Kardashian and Jenner Sisters, and Kris Jenner

Nick has represented Kim Kardashian West, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and their manager and mother, Kris Jenner, in a variety of public and confidential matters, including litigation in state and federal court, and arbitration. He:

• Represents Kourtney, Kim and Khloe in three related state and federal actions and an arbitration filed in Los Angeles involving a hedge fund and its beauty company subsidiary concerning the operation of a cosmetics company to whom the Kardashians licensed their names and images. After two weeks of live testimony, the three-member arbitration panel entered their Final Award, which (i) awarded the Kardashians approximately $12 million in damages and pre- and post-judgment interest; and (ii) held that the hedge fund should take nothing on its $180 million in damages claims. The Los Angeles Superior Court confirmed the arbitration award, and the Court of Appeal affirmed the confirmation.
• Represented Kim and her company Kimsaprincess, Inc. in an action filed in federal court in Los Angeles for copyright and trademark infringement, and violation of her right of publicity, against an Alabama doctor and his trade association for using her name and likeness without authorization in order to promote the so-called “Vampire Facial” procedure. The action was favorably resolved, including the entry of a stipulated Judgment and permanent injunction against defendants. (Kimsaprincess, Inc. and Kim Kardashian West v. Charles Runels, et al, USDC Case No. 2:19-cv-10415-CBM.)
• Represented Kendall in an adversary action filed by the Fyre Festival Bankruptcy Trustee, which sought to recover the promotional fee earned by and paid to Kendall. The matter was resolved and the action dismissed. (In re: Fyre Festival LLC, USBK Case No. 1:19-ap-01347.)
• Represented Kendall in an action filed in federal court in Los Angeles against the creator and distributor of a laser treatment product for trademark infringement and violation of Kendall’s right of publicity, arising out of defendant’s unauthorized use of Kendall’s name and likeness to advertise defendant’s laser products. (Kendall Jenner, Inc., et al v. Cutera, Inc., USDC Case No. 2:16-cv-00936-JAK.) The defendant paid a substantial settlement before discovery.

Personal Injury

• Represented a well-known actress in connection with a pedestrian accident. In just a few months, he obtained the full policy limits from both the driver of the vehicle that struck her and her underinsured motorist carrier.
• Represented former NFL running back Reggie Bush in his lawsuit against the St. Louis Rams over a knee injury that he suffered in the team’s stadium. After the team removed the case to federal court and moved to compel the case to arbitration, Nick won a motion to remand the case to state court. In the jury trial, along with colleague Shawn Holley and local counsel, he briefed and argued numerous motions in limine, put on Mr. Bush’s damages expert, cross-examined the Rams’ only fact witness, and successfully moved to exclude the Rams’ so-called “football contracts expert.” Ultimately, Mr. Bush was awarded $12.5 million in trial, including $7.5 million in punitives. The case settled on favorable terms shortly thereafter. In response to this case, the most recent NFL collective bargaining agreement added a provision (Art. 39, section 11) specifically requiring non-injury grievances (i.e., arbitration) of claims that an NFL Stadium is not in compliance with the Wall Padding and Non-Slip Surfaces Policy adopted after Mr. Bush’s injury.

Additional Representative Media, Entertainment and Intellectual Property Matters

• Represents Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in a federal court defamation lawsuit filed by her stepsister. (Markle v. Markle, USDC Case No. 8:22-CV-00511.)
• Represented comedian Daniel Tosh in negotiations with Viacom related to the winding up of his long-running hit comedy series Tosh.0. In the series finale, Mr. Tosh thanked the firm (among others) for making him a “wealthy comedian.”
• Represented Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, in a lawsuit filed in state court in July 2020 concerning illegal photographs taken by the paparazzi of their son playing in their private yard. Because the party responsible for the photographs was unknown, the lawsuit was filed against “John Doe” defendants and subpoenas were sent to the three biggest celebrity news agencies, which revealed the agency that was responsible. In a settlement announced on October 8, 2020, the news agency apologized to the family, agreed to pay a portion of their legal fees, and agreed to turn over all photos and destroy all copies, and never traffic in any photos of the couple or their son taken by similar means. The case and settlement received world-wide coverage, including in The New York Times, BBC News, Le Figaro and Der Spiegel. (Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex vs. John Does 1, et al, Los Angeles Superior Court case no. 20SMCV00975).