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JEFFREY A. PAYNE
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Of Counsel |
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Jeffrey Payne represents entertainment, media, music, and fashion clients nationwide, with a focus on copyright, trademark, and First Amendment litigation and pre-litigation counseling; clearance and vetting; production legal; and brand enforcement. Jeff brings unique insight into the entertainment industry’s complex deals and accompanying business and legal needs, having spent time as a business and legal affairs executive at a premium cable network with its own in-house studio. Jeff also has broad experience representing clients in state and federal trial courts, appellate courts, arbitration, mediation, and in connection with internal and government investigations.
Prior to joining Jassy Vick Carolan, Jeff was a business and legal affairs executive at Showtime Networks Inc. and, before that, an associate at a widely respected private law firm where he practiced intellectual property, employment, and complex commercial litigation, defending clients in entertainment and media, intellectual property, wrongful termination, employment discrimination, securities, and corporate-governance matters, among others. Jeff also maintained an active pro bono practice, centered on international human rights issues, for which Human Rights First awarded him a 2016 Pro Bono Star Award for his outstanding pro bono work on behalf of asylum seekers. During his time at Showtime, Jeff served on ViacomCBS’s Pro Bono Committee.
Jeff received a B.S. in music industry, magna cum laude, from the University of Southern California and earned his law degree from Loyola Law School, where he was the chief technical editor for the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review. Jeff was also a Sayre McNeil Scholar at Loyola, a title awarded to the top 5 percent of each class. After law school, Jeff clerked for Judge Arthur L. Alarcón of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge Otis D. Wright II of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
NOTABLE REPRESENTATIONS
Ross v. Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 96 Cal. App. 5th 722 (2023). Jeff successfully appealed a discounted anti-SLAPP attorneys’ fees award in connection with a law firm’s independent investigation of workplace-misconduct complaints at the California State University. In a published opinion, following Jeff’s argument in the Second District of the California Court of Appeal, the court concluded that defendants’ anti-SLAPP motion would have been entirely successful and remanded with instructions for the trial court to award all of the fees defendants had requested.
The producers of a true-crime series concerning high-profile adjudicated murders in Texas. Jeff handles all production legal, clearance, and vetting for the series.
Various media organizations in defending copyright infringement claims for the alleged unauthorized use of photographs.
A major publishing company in a substantial similarity copyright infringement and trademark infringement matter alleging that the defendants’ published book series infringed on the plaintiff’s teleplay.
A higher-education client in defending claims of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Jeff’s briefing on summary judgment eliminated plaintiff’s claims for discrimination and harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and for retaliation under the California Whistleblower Protection Act. The remainder of the case is still pending.
An influential media company concerning the confidential investigation of and subsequent arbitration concerning misconduct by senior executives.
A major film studio in investigating and defending against sexual harassment and gender discrimination claims.
A major gaming company in successfully resolving contract disputes following a cross-border equity acquisition.
A major record company in successfully resolving antitrust claims related to streaming music services.
A nonprofit organization providing legal advice regarding internal employment investigations, various potential wrongful termination and employment discrimination claims, and severance issues in connection with a reduction in force.
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| HONORS
Super Lawyers
Rising Star 2022
ASSOCIATIONS
L.A. Chapter of Federal Bar Association
Co-Chair, Younger Lawyers Division
CLERKSHIPS
Judge Arthur L. Alarcón
U.S. Court of Appeals
Ninth Circuit, 2013-2014
Judge Otis D. Wright II
U.S. District Court
Central District of CA, 2011-2013
EDUCATION
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (JD, magna cum laude, 2011)
Order of the Coif
Chief Technical Editor
Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review
University of Southern California (BS, magna cum laude, 2008)
BAR ADMISSIONS
California
New York
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