David Gabor is a partner at Russ August & Kabat where he heads the entertainment and media practice. David is a trial lawyer, but increasingly represents production companies, infomercial companies, direct response companies and multi-level marketing organizations in both operational and compliance matters. In particular, David is focused on Federal Trade Commission compliance issues, including FTC litigation, and also works on areas of multi-agency governmental compliance involving the advertisement, marketing and sale (over multiple media platforms) of various products including educational and health-related products.

David has been practicing law for over 20 years. He is a graduate of the UCLA School of Law, where he served as an editor of the UCLA Law Review. He began his legal career at Latham & Watkins and was a partner at McDermott, Will & Emery. From the earliest stages of his career he advised sophisticated clients on corporate governance, contracting and compliance issues. He joined Russ, August & Kabat in 2006.

In his trial practice, David represents clients in all aspects of litigation from trial to appeal. His most recent trial victory was in an intensely fought two-year easement dispute where he represented a group of top celebrities and entertainment industry figures in Beverly Park who sought - and obtained - increased access to their properties. David has litigated intellectual property, government contracting, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, insurance, and entertainment issues, among others. He has tried cases in the real estate, bankruptcy and partnership arena.

Over the course of his career, David has had an exemplary history of success:

Commercial Disputes

• Tried a case to victory for a large healthcare provider and recovered over $60 million in Medicaid/Medicare underpayments.
• Tried a case to victory for a major paper products company relating to a computerized logistics system.
• Represented a significant Multi-Level Marketing Company in federal court litigation.
• Represented a Fortune 400 Company in responding to a federal whistleblower lawsuit.
• Represented a major utility company in shareholder and derivative litigation.

Real Estate

• Tried a case to victory involving a complex easement matter.
• Tried a case to victory involving lot line and parcel disputes.
• Tried a case to victory that has defined the meaning of "condominium" under L.A. ordinances.
• Obtained a significant settlement for a Los Angeles developer relating to the construction of a luxury boutique hotel.
• Routinely represent significant commercial property owners in various disputes and transactions.

Entertainment & Media

• Routinely represent various "infomercial" production companies in FTC litigation.
• Represent Hollywood talent agencies in inter-agency disputes.
• Represent production companies in matters ranging from contracting to rights of publicity/privacy.
• Represent television production companies in "reality TV" lawsuits.
• Represent studios and record companies against copyright claims.
• Represent writers and artists in securing book, television, film and related rights.
• Represented a well-known commercial artist at trial in a significant partnership/contract dispute.

Intellectual Property

• Represented Pinkberry frozen yogurt in federal court litigation against "copycat" stores.
• Represented a major computer company in a significant patent litigation.
• Represented various computer companies in securing national and international Internet domain names.
• Prosecuted numerous cybersquatter lawsuits in the United States and Europe.

Internal Investigations

• Represented a public company in investigation of internal accounting controls issues.
• Represented a public company in investigation of fraud and embezzlement allegations.
• Represented a major corporation in investigation of contracting issues.

David is the author of "Deaccessioning Fine Art Works: A Proposal for Heightened Scrutiny," 36 UCLA L.Rev. 1005 (1989). While at UCLA he was Associate Editor of the UCLA Law Review and a member of the moot court honors program.

David has been an invited speaker at both UCLA and USC Law Schools and is an active mentor to UCLA law students.

David was recognized as a Super Lawyer by the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine, from 2007-2011.

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