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Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Secures Victory in Defamation Suit Regarding Emmy Award Winning Docuseries Making a Murderer
March 2023 - Kevin Vick and Meghan Fenzel brought a successful motion for summary judgment on behalf of clients Laura Ricciardi, Moira Demos and Chrome Media, the filmmakers behind the Emmy Award winning Netflix docuseries Making a Murderer.   In granting summary judgment and dismissing the plaintiff’s defamation and emotional distress claims, United States District Court Judge Brett H. Ludwig of the Eastern District of Wisconsin explained that, “Colborn’s turn in Making a Murderer may not have been to his liking, but that does not make it defamatory.   Few aspire to enter the cultural zeitgeist on such controversial terms.   That possibility, though, is a necessary byproduct of the freedom of press that the First Amendment protects.   If media could portray us only at our best, we would be a country of antiseptic caricatures, and less intelligent for it.   We have not sunken so low just yet.” A copy of the District Court’s opinion is available here.   Press coverage of the decision is available here, here, and here.   Jassy Quoted in Front Page Article of New York Times As First Amendment Expert
January 2023 - Jean-Paul Jassy was quoted in the New York Times by reporters Jeremy W. Peters and Nicole Sperling in an article titled "'Based on a True Story' (Except the Parts That Aren't)."   Jassy discussed legal issues concerning docudramas.   Jassy Vick Carolan Secures Appellate Victory in SLAPP Case for Palo Alto Weekly
January 2023 - Duffy Carolan secured an appellate court victory for client Palo Alto Weekly in SLAPP case where the Sixth District Court of Appeal upheld a trial court order dismissing a lawsuit against the paper filed by a candidate for a local school board who claim the paper’s coverage of his background and qualifications for office defamed him.   The court held that the plaintiff failed to submit any admissible evidence to counter the paper’s evidence showing that the reporting was substantially true and published without the requisite degree of fault—constitutional malice.   View Article.   View Opinion.   Jassy and Vick Named Again to Super Lawyers - Southern California Edition
January 2023 - Kevin Vick and Jean-Paul Jassy were named again to the Southern California edition of Super Lawyers, following a peer-nominated, peer-reviewed and independently researched process to find the top 5% of attorneys in Southern California.   Jassy is listed in the fields of Media & Advertising, General Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation; and Vick is listed in the fields of Intellectual Property Litigation, Business Litigation, Media & Advertising and Entertainment & Sports.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Prevails in Court of Appeal in Defamation Case Based on Section 230 Immunity and Anti-SLAPP Statute
December 2022 - The First District of the California Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s grant of the firm’s client’s anti-SLAPP motion.   The plaintiffs-appellants had brought a defamation claim based on the defendant-appellee’s online sharing of a Facebook post for a march designed to protest against racist incidents at a Bay Area high school.   The trial court struck the claim under the anti-SLAPP statute, Civil Code section 425.16, and held that defendant was entitled to immunity under Section 230, 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(1).   The Court of Appeal also affirmed the trial court’s award of attorneys’ fees and costs to the defendant-appellee.   Kevin Vick argued before the Court of Appeal and was assisted at the trial and appellate levels by Jeffrey Payne.   A copy of the Court of Appeal’s decision is available here.   Coverage of the decision by Professor Eric Goldman can be found here.   Firm Secures Significant Insurance Recovery Victory In The California Supreme Court
November 2022 - William T. Um secured an important insurance recovery victory for long time firm client, Yahoo Inc., in an unanimous decision by the California Supreme Court.   The Court, in response to a certified question by the Ninth Circuit, determined for the first time underlying California insurance law, that commercial general liability policies that provide coverage for injuries arising out of the “oral or written publication” of “material that violates a person’s right of privacy” may trigger an insurer’s duty to defend lawsuits alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which involves the privacy right of seclusion.   As noted by an insurance coverage expert, “the California Supreme Court became the strongest voice in a chorus of state high courts to rule in favor of coverage for TCPA claims, recognizing that such claims involve the publication of material that violates a person’s right to privacy.”   Jassy Elected Treasurer of Media Law Resource Center
November 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy was elected Treasurer of the Media Law Resource Center, a non-profit membership association for members of the media and their defense lawyers..   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Prevails on Anti-SLAPP Motion Regarding NXIVM Docuseries
November 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy and Meghan Fenzel brought a successful anti-SLAPP motion against a NXIVM member who sued Starz / Lions Gate for his brief portrayal in the docuseries Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.   The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California struck all claims without leave to amend, holding that his defamation case and related claims failed as a matter of law.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Again Gets Top Rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Law Firms
November 2022 - After a comprehensive peer review process, Jassy Vick Carolan LLP has been named again nationally as a Tier 1 (highest tier) law firm in the fields of First Amendment Litigation and Media Law.   The Firm was also recognized as Tier 1 in the same fields in Los Angeles, as well as in insurance law, and Tier 1 in media law in San Francisco.   Carolan to be honored by SPJ/LA with 2022 Freedom of Information Award
September 2022 - The Society of Professional Journalists Los Angeles Pro Chapter has named Duffy Carolan its 2022 Freedom of Information Award recipient.   The Freedom of Information award honors a non-journalist who has helped promote First Amendment issues.   Duffy has long represented the Southern California News Group chain of newspapers, helping their reporters gain access to vital government records for their reporting.   Duffy previously has been honored by the Northern California Chapter of SPJ with its Counsel of the Year award as well as several honorary citations for her work with journalists from the Bay Area News Group among other news organizations.   View announcement here.   Firm Secures Access to Juvenile Case Files in Sophia Mason death case
September 2022 - Following a petition for access to juvenile case files, Duffy Carolan and Meghan Fenzel secure a court order for the Mercury News mandating disclosure of social services agency records in a juvenile death case involving at least 8 complaints to social services in Alameda County before Sophia Mason, 8, was brutally murdered.   The matter has gained state-wide attention with California AG Rob Bonta’s Sept. 10th press conference announcing several arrests following a joint investigation between DOJ and detectives from Merced, where Sophia’s body was found.   Jassy Named By His Peers as "Lawyer of the Year" In Two Categories
August 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy was selected by his peers and Best Lawyers in America® as the Los Angeles "Lawyer of the Year" in both the fields of First Amendment Law and Litigation - First Amendment, which follows his "Lawyer of the Year" honors in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021.   Jassy on the Radio Discussing Free Speech Lawsuit Against LA Mayoral Candidate's Business
August 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy was interviewed for a public radio news broadcast concerning a free speech lawsuit filed against a shopping mall owned by one of LA mayoral candidate Rick Caruso's businesses. The news segment aired on August 18, and can be found here.   Jassy, Carolan and Um Listed Again in The Best Lawyers in America®
August 2022 - Duffy Carolan, William Um and Jean-Paul Jassy were listed again in The Best Lawyers in America®, a peer-selected honor.   Carolan has been listed since 2008, and was recognized in the fields of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law.   Um has been listed since 2017, and was recognized in the field of Insurance Law.   Jassy has been listed since 2011, and was recognized in the fields of First Amendment Law, Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law.   Firm Prevails In Federal Court in D.C. Again Concerning Conspiracyland Podcast
July 2022 - Last year, a federal court in Washington, D.C. dismissed defamation, and other related claims, against investigative journalist Michael Isikoff's Conspiracyland podcast about the murder of Seth Rich.   A copy of the Court's 2021 ruling can be found here.   In July 2022, the Court denied the plaintiff's request to file an amended complaint, putting an end to the case in a decision that can be found here.   Jean-Paul Jassy and William Um were on the JVC team that prevailed for the clients.   Jassy Recognized Again By Chambers And Partners In First Amendment Litigation
June 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy was recognized again by the prestigious Chambers & Partners in the field of Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation - California.   He has been listed in Chambers & Partners since 2018.   Jassy Quoted in The New Yorker Concerning Jerry West's Complaint to HBO Over Basketball Docudrama "Winning Time"
May 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy was quoted in The New Yorker concerning basketball legend Jerry West's complaint about his portrayal in HBO's docudrama series, "Winning Time." A copy of the article can be read here.   Jassy also spoke in a special presentation for the Media Law Resource Center entitled, "Libel (and False Light) in Docudramas and the Jerry West Complaint."   Firm Assists ABC News to Secure Access to Records In Turpin Matter
May 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy represented ABC News in seeking, and securing, access to sealed court records concerning children who were held captive and abused by their parents for decades.   Jassy Served As a Panelist on "Libel in Fiction" at Entertainment and Media Law Conference
April 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy spoke on a "Libel in Fiction" panel at the Southwestern Law School Biederman Institute & Media Law Resource Center annual conference.   Jassy Speaks on Bar Association Panel Discussing First Amendment Issues
March 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy served on a panel for the Los Angeles County Bar Association alongside UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh to discuss recent developments in First Amendment law.   Jassy Speaks on Panel Asking "Does the First Amendment Still Protect Free Speech?"
February 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy served on a panel discussion for Zocalo/ASU Cronkite School addressing the question: "Does the First Amendment Still Protect Free Speech?"   Jassy answered the question in the affirmative.   Jassy Serves as Lead Facilitator on Reporter's Privilege Issues at ABA Conference
February 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy served as lead facilitator for a boutique session called "Hot Issues in Reporter's Privilege" at the annual conference of the American Bar Association's Forum on Communications Law.   Jeffrey Payne Selected to Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars List for 2022
February 2022 - Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Of Counsel Jeffrey Payne was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2022. This peer designation is awarded to no more than 2.5% of accomplished attorneys in each state who are either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. The Rising Stars selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other cogent factors.   William Um Provides Expert Commentary to Legal Publication, Law360
February 2022 - William Um provided expert commentary to Law360 regarding insurance coverage for opioid disputes that have been filed throughout the country in recent years.   Um explained that despite the recent slew of insurance disputes involving coverage for opioid bodily injury claims, this latest wave of lawsuits are not likely to follow in the asbestos coverage footsteps, noting, “I’m not sure that this is like asbestos, where there were literally hundreds of thousands of manufacturers and distributors along the chain that were impacted” and instead, “[y]ou’re talking about a relatively small handful of companies” such as pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies.   See link here to the Law360 article titled, “Opioid Disputes Not Poised To Follow In Asbestos’ Footsteps.”   Jassy Speaks to New York State Bar Association, Media Committee
January 2022 - Jean-Paul Jassy spoke to the New York State Bar Association's Media Committee about his experience representing Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Carreyrou in the U.S. v. Elizabeth Holmes case.   Carreyrou is the journalist who broke the Theranos story when he was with The Wall Street Journal, wrote the best-selling book Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up and hosted a podcast, Bad Blood: The Final Chapter.   Firm Secures Win for HuffPost in 5th Circuit Defamation Case
December 2021 - In a published opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a defamation lawsuit against firm client, TheHuffingtonPost.com (now owned by firm client BuzzFeed) for lack of specific personal jurisdiction.   Jean-Paul Jassy and William T. Um secured this precedent setting decision limiting the jurisdiction in which a company with an internet presence can be sued.   The Fifth Circuit confirmed that HuffPost’s operation of a website alone, is not enough to confer personal jurisdiction for a libel claim that is not directed at the forum state.   The court’s opinion can be viewed here.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Again Gets Top Rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Law Firms
November 2021 - After a comprehensive peer review process, Jassy Vick Carolan LLP has been named again nationally as a Tier 1 (highest tier) law firm in the fields of First Amendment Litigation and Media Law.   The Firm was also recognized in the same fields in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas, and was recognized in the field of insurance law in Los Angeles.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Prevails in Court of Appeals in Copyright Case Concerning Avatar and Taken
October 2021 - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a copyright case against firm clients Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Lightstorm Entertainment Inc., News Corp. and James Cameron, concerning the movies Avatar and Taken.   Jean-Paul Jassy and Kevin Vick were on the team that prevailed for the clients.   Firm Prevails For Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter John Carreyrou In U.S. v. Elizabeth Holmes Criminal Case
October 2021 - Jean-Paul Jassy and Jeffrey Payne successfully represented Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Carreyrou in the U.S. v. Elizabeth Holmes criminal case pending in the Northern District of California.   Carreyrou is the journalist who broke the Theranos story when he was with The Wall Street Journal, wrote the best-selling book Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-Up and hosted a podcast, Bad Blood: The Final Chapter.   When Holmes's counsel put Carreyrou on her witness list, Carreyrou was excluded from attending trial or reporting on aspects of it because of an order excluding witnesses from attending trial or speaking about their testimony.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP attorneys successfully moved the Court for an order exempting Carreyrou from the exclusion and gag orders so that he could freely attend the trial and continue his reporting.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Defeats Defamation Case Concerning Conspiracyland Podcast
September 2021 - A federal court in Washington, D.C. dismissed defamation, and other related claims, against investigative journalist Michael Isikoff and Verizon Communications concerning Isikoff's Conspiracyland podcast concerning the murder of Seth Rich.   A copy of the Court's ruling can be found here.   Jean-Paul Jassy and William Um were on the JVC team that prevailed for the clients.   Second Circuit Issues Third Decision In Client Vimeo's Favor
September 2021 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued another decision affirming a district court order dismissing a lawsuit against firm client Vimeo, Inc.   Vimeo had taken down the channel of a user (a church and its pastor) that had been advocating sexual orientation change efforts.   Vimeo determined that the user's videos violated its terms of service.   The Court held that the Plaintiffs' allegations were insufficient to state a claim.   The Court's new opinion (replacing prior opinions) can be found here.   Jean-Paul Jassy and Kevin Vick worked on the briefing, and Vimeo's General Counsel, Michael Cheah, argued and briefed the case.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Unseals Body Camera Footage
September 2021 - Jeff Payne and Jean-Paul Jassy successfully argued on behalf of The Desert Sun newspaper that a trial court should unseal police body camera footage played at a preliminary hearing in a homicide case.   The newspaper put the footage up on its website, which can be seen here.   Jassy, Carolan and Um Listed Again in The Best Lawyers in America
August 2021 - Duffy Carolan, William Um and Jean-Paul Jassy were listed again in The Best Lawyers in America, a peer-selected honor.   Carolan has been listed since 2008, and was recognized in the fields of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law.   Um has been listed since 2017, and was recognized in the field of Insurance Law.   Jassy has been listed since 2011, and was recognized in the fields of First Amendment Law, Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law.   Carolan 17th Year to be Named to Super Lawyers – Northern California Edition
July 2021 - Duffy Carolan was named for the 17th consecutive year to the Northern California edition of Super Lawyers, following a peer-nominated, peer-reviewed and independently researched process to find the top 5% of attorneys in Northern California.   Carolan was listed in the field of Media & Advertising.   Second Circuit Issues New Decision In Client Vimeo's Favor
July 2021 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a new decision affirming a district court order dismissing a lawsuit against firm client Vimeo, Inc.   Vimeo had taken down the channel of a user (a church and its pastor) that had been advocating sexual orientation change efforts.   Vimeo determined that the user's videos violated its terms of service.   The Court held that Vimeo was immune from suit pursuant to Section 230.   The Court's new opinion (replacing its opinion from earlier in the year) can be found here.   Jean-Paul Jassy, Kevin Vick and Elizabeth Baldridge worked on the briefing, and Vimeo's General Counsel, Michael Cheah, argued and briefed the case.   Firm Prevails in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Affirming Jury Award for Yahoo
June 2021 - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed and left undisturbed the jury award of more than $600,000 in attorney fees that William T. Um and Elizabeth Baldrdige obtained on behalf of Yahoo.   The three-judge panel unanimously ruled that it would not disturb the jury award Yahoo received following the jury’s determination that National Union committed bad faith when it denied insurance coverage to Yahoo.   See here.   Jassy Recognized Again By Chambers And Partners In First Amendment Litigation
May 2021 - Jean-Paul Jassy was recognized again by the prestigious Chambers & Partners in the field of Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation - California.   The entry reads: "Jean-Paul Jassy is noted for his expertise in First Amendment issues and his wide-ranging practice also sees him handle copyright infringement, profit participation and breach of contract claims."   An interviewee comments: "He is one of the go-to experts in the country. He takes such a personal interest in all of his cases."   Jassy Speaks on Bar Association Panel Discussing Defamation and Anti-SLAPP Issues
May 2021 - Jean-Paul Jassy served on a panel for the Los Angeles County Bar Association titled "So Your Client Wants to Sue the Internet."   Jassy discussed defamation and anti-SLAPP issues and considerations.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Wins Public Records Act Case Against Ford and City of Los Angeles
May 2021 - Jean-Paul Jassy and Elizabeth Baldridge secured a victory under the California Public Records Act for client Vox Media LLC against Ford Motor Company and the City of Los Angeles.   The case concerned documents exchanged between Ford and the Los Angeles Police Department that Ford argued were exempt from disclosure as trade secrets.   The Court disagreed with Ford and ruled in Vox Media's favor.   A copy of the Court's order can be viewed here.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Prevails in Defamation Action for TechCrunch Against GOP Congressional Candidate
April 2021 - A court in Florida dismissed a defamation action brought by GOP congressional candidate Laura Loomer against Jassy Vick Carolan LLP client TechCrunch.   The team on the matter was Jean-Paul Jassy, William Um and Elizabeth Baldridge.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Secures Dismissal in Defamation Case for Environmental Non-Profit
March 2021 - Jean-Paul Jassy and Jeffrey A. Payne prevailed on an anti-SLAPP motion in Los Angeles Superior Court, securing a victory for an environmental non-profit accused of defamation.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Client Vimeo, Inc. Secures Victory in Second Circuit Court of Appeals
March 2021 - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a district court order dismissing a lawsuit against firm client Vimeo, Inc..   Vimeo had taken down the channel of a user (a church and its pastor) that had been advocating sexual orientation change efforts.   Vimeo determined that the user's videos violated its terms of service.   The Court held that Vimeo was immune from suit pursuant to Section 230.   The Court's opinion is here.   Jean-Paul Jassy, Kevin Vick and Elizabeth Baldridge worked on the briefing, and Vimeo's General Counsel, Michael Cheah, argued and briefed the case.   Jassy Speaks on Bar Association Panel Discussing First Amendment Issues
March 2021 - Jean-Paul Jassy served on a panel for the Los Angeles County Bar Association alongside UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh to discuss recent developments in First Amendment law.   Jassy Vick Carolan Obtains Court Order Requiring Disclosure of COVID-19 Infection Numbers at Long-Term Care Facilities in County
January 2021 - Duffy Carolan obtains court order under the state’s Public Records Act requiring the County of Alameda to disclose the number of staff and patients infected with COVID-19 and resulting deaths at named long-term care facilities in Alameda County over county’s objection that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prohibited disclosure.   In a first of its kind decision in California, the Court ruled that HIPAA does not supersede the state’s Public Records Law; rather, that law falls within the “required by law” exception to HIPAA and compels disclosure unless the records are exempt under the CPRA.   The court also ruled that the county failed to prove that its health department was a “covered entity” subject to HIPAA or that the aggregate data being sought by firm client the Bay Area News Group constituted “individually identifiable health information” within the meaning of HIPAA.   The court’s ruling, as noted, falls in line with other out-of-state decisions addressing the intersection of HIPAA and a state’s open records laws, but is the first in California to address the issue.   East Bay Times article here.   The Court's opinon can be found here.   Jassy Vick Carolan Obtains Order Striking Libel Complaint Brought by Candidate for School Board
December 2020 - Duffy Carolan and Elizabeth Baldridge successfully defended firm client Embarcadero Media in libel suit brought by a candidate running for a local school board in Palo Alto, CA.   In striking the complaint under the state’s Anti-SLAPP statute and awarding fees in favor of the paper, the Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled that the plaintiff failed to prove constitutional malice—that is, that the paper knew its articles were false or acted in reckless disregard for the truth.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Successfully Defends Huffington Post From Defamation Suit
December 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy, William Um and Elizabeth Baldridge successfully defended the Huffington Post from a defamation suit brought in federal court in Texas by conservative activist Chuck Johnson.   Jassy Speaks on Defending the Subpoenaed Journalist
December 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy spoke to a group of lawyers about the law and strategies for defending subpoenaed journalists, their sources and unpublished material in a seminar put on by the First Amendment Coalition and the Press Freedom Defense Fund of First Look Media.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Again Gets Top Rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Law Firms
November 2020 - After a comprehensive peer review process, Jassy Vick Carolan LLP has been named again nationally as a Tier 1 (highest tier) law firm in the fields of First Amendment Litigation and Media Law.   The Firm was also recognized as Tier 1 in the same fields in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas, and was recognized in the field of insurance law in Los Angeles.   Jeffrey Payne writes about gap grants and copyright termination under the 1976 Copyright Act
October 2020 - Jeffrey A. Payne published an article in Law360 titled “Copyright Gap Grant Nontermination Was No Accident.”   The article argues that the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause explains why Congress likely intentionally omitted so-called “gap grants” (that is, grants of copyright interests made before 1978 for works that were not actually created until in or after 1878) from the 1976 Copyright Act’s new copyright termination provisions.   The article can be found here.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Defeats Copyright Infringement Claims Concerning Avatar And Taken
October 2020 - A team comprised of Jean-Paul Jassy, Kevin Vick and Elizabeth Baldridge, representing Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Lightstorm Entertainment Inc., News Corp. and James Cameron, prevailed on a motion to dismiss copyright infringement and related claims concerning the movies Avatar and Taken.   The Court dismissed the claims with prejudice and entered judgment in the Firm's clients' favor.   A copy of the order is here.   Jassy Serves As Panel Facilitator at Media Law Conference
October 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy served as a facilitator leading discussion on libel and privacy issues at the Media Law Resource Center's annual conference.   The discussion included high profile defamation cases, #MeToo cases and developments in actual malice.   He also served as a facilitator on a separate panel discussing issues in photography, focusing on linking, embedding and DMCA issues.   Jeffrey A. Payne Joins Jassy Vick Carolan LLP
September 2020 - Jeffrey A. Payne has joined Jassy Vick Carolan LLP as Of Counsel, where he focuses his practice on entertainment, intellectual property, and general litigation matters.   He brings unique insight into the entertainment industry's complex deals and accompanying business and legal needs, having joined the firm following a stint as a business and legal affairs executive at Showtime Networks.   Before Showtime, Jeff spent nearly five years as a litigation associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP following clerkships in the Central District of California and the Ninth Circuit.   "We are thrilled to have Jeff join our team," Jean-Paul Jassy said.   "Jeff has fantastic experience in our boutique specialties as well in general litigation.   His work in-house and as a federal court clerk offer valuable additional insight that will benefit our practice and clients."   Jeff’s bio is available here.   Jassy, Carolan and Um Listed Again in The Best Lawyers in America
August 2020 - Duffy Carolan, William Um and Jean-Paul Jassy were listed again in The Best Lawyers in America, a peer-selected honor.   Carolan has been listed since 2008, and was recognized in the fields of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law.   Um has been listed since 2017, and was recognized in the field of Insurance Law.   Jassy has been listed since 2011, and was recognized in the fields of First Amendment Law, Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law.   Additionally, Jassy was selected by his peers as the Los Angeles "Lawyer of the Year" in the field of First Amendment Law, which follows his "Lawyer of the Year" honors in 2015, 2016 and 2019.   Jassy Comments on Executive Order Targeting TikTok
August 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy was quoted in a Hollywood Reporter article concerning President Trump's Executive Order targeting social media application TikTok.   The article can be found here.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Defeats Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Second Attempt at a Defamation Suit Against Huffington Post
June 2020 - Duffy Carolan on behalf of firm client The Sun successfully defeated West Valley Water District’s complaint and ex parte application for a restraining order prohibiting The Sun and its reporter from writing any articles gleaned from an internal investigation report lawfully obtained by the reporter and requiring the paper to destroy all copies of the report.   In so ruling, the San Bernardino County Superior Court found that the requested relief, if granted, would be an unconstitutional prior restraint on the press.   The district later voluntarily dismissed the case.   Jassy Vick Carolan Defeats Water District’s Attempt to Obtain Prior Restraint Against Paper
April 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy, William Um, and Elizabeth Baldridge secured the dismissal of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's defamation complaint against Huffington Post in the District Court for the District of Columbia.   After the Jassy Vick Carolan LLP team successfully moved to dismiss Arpaio's initial case alleging defamation in October of 2019, Arpaio filed a second suit based on the same underlying allegations.   The Court’s order dismissed the case with prejudice.   Jassy Recognized Again By Chambers And Partners In First Amendment Litigation
April 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy was recognized again by the prestigious Chambers & Partners in the field of Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation - California.   The entry reads: "Jean-Paul Jassy is noted for his expertise in First Amendment issues and his wide-ranging practice also sees him handle copyright infringement, profit participation and breach of contract claims.   An interviewee comments: 'He is an excellent lawyer, who is extremely smart, very calm and has a fantastic analytical sense.'"   Duffy Carolan Honored by the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalist
March 2020 - March 2020 – Duffy Carolan was honored by the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists with a Special Citation for her work on behalf of the First Amendment Coalition, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the Nor. Cal. Chapter of the SPJ to unseal search warrant materials pertaining to the unconstitutional searches by San Francisco Police officers of Journalist Bryan Carmody’s home, office and cell phones.   Due to Covid-19 concerns, the annual James Madison Freedom of Information awards ceremony was moved online.   See here.   Jassy Speaks on Reporter's Privilege Issues at ABA Conference
February 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy spoke at the "Hot Issues in Reporter's Privilege" session at the American Bar Association's annual Forum on Communications Law Annual Conference in Austin, TX.   Jassy Moderates Conference Panel On Life Rights
January 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy moderated a panel on "Life Rights in the U.S. and Abroad" at the Southwestern Law School Biederman Institute & Media Law Resource Center's Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA.   Jassy Vick Carolan LLP Helps Secure Dismissal of Claims Against Vimeo
January 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy, Kevin Vick and Elizabeth Baldridge aided in the defense of video-sharing website Vimeo against claims for taking down a channel for objectionable content.  Domen v. Vimeo, Inc., --- F.Supp.3d ---, 2020 WL 217048 (S.D.N.Y. 2020)   Jassy and Vick Named Again to Super Lawyers - Southern California Edition
January 2020 - Kevin Vick and Jean-Paul Jassy were named again to the Southern California edition of Super Lawyers, following a peer-nominated, peer-reviewed and independently researched process to find the top 5% of attorneys in Southern California.   Jassy is listed in the fields of Media & Advertising, General Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation; and Vick is listed in the fields of Intellectual Property Litigation, Business Litigation, Media & Advertising and Entertainment & Sports.   Jassy and Vick Named Top Lawyers by Pasadena Magazine
January 2020 - Jean-Paul Jassy and Kevin Vick are named "Top Lawyers" in media law by Pasadena Magazine.