Dreier Entertainment Practice Leaders Join Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

Dreier Entertainment Practice Leaders Join Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

Michael J. Plonsker, Yakub Hazzard, and Mark D. Passin Launch Entertainment and Media Practice

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. announced today the addition of entertainment and media partners Michael J. Plonsker, Yakub Hazzard, and Mark D. Passin, together with associates Lauren Sudar, Rori Starr Silver, Jeanine Percival Wright, and staff. The group represents a significant element of the Entertainment and Media practice of Dreier Stein Kahan Browne Woods George in Santa Monica, California.

Veteran litigators Plonsker and Hazzard served as co-chairs of Dreier's entertainment practice. Michael Plonsker focuses on film, television and music, and Yakub Hazzard on the music industry and intellectual property issues. Plonsker and Hazzard will be co-chairs of the newly formed Entertainment and Media practice at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

"Michael, Yakub and Mark present a wonderful opportunity for our firm to establish a national entertainment and media litigation practice," said Martin R. Lueck, chairman of the firm. "We are confident our combined trial experience and capabilities will enhance their ability to provide top flight client service to their industry clients."

"We are proud to welcome these outstanding attorneys to our firm. They are at the top of their fields and are well-positioned in the television, film and music industries," said Roman M. Silberfeld, managing partner in the Los Angeles office.

"I am thrilled to join this dynamic firm," said Michael J. Plonsker, who represents many high-profile actors, writers, directors, producers, musicians, talent agents, business and personal managers, and independent production companies in the film, television, and music industry. His clients have included Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Jodie Foster, Billy Bob Thornton, Meg Ryan, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also represented John Ritter's family in the wrongful death action arising out of Mr. Ritter's untimely death. In 2007 and 2008, he was named as one of the Top 100 "Power Lawyers" by The Hollywood Reporter, Esq., and in 2005, the Century City Bar Association named him its "2005 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year." Plonsker has also been noted as a Best Lawyer and rated in Chambers USA.

"Our clients will greatly benefit from our association with this powerhouse law firm. The entertainment business has changed dramatically in recent years, and clients are seeking firms that understand the entrepreneurial reality of the entertainment business today," said Yakub Hazzard. In 2007-2008, Yakub was listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers. He is regularly listed as a "Super Lawyer" in Los Angeles Magazine.

"We are delighted to introduce the entertainment industry to Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Our clients will be better served by this larger platform," said Mark D. Passin, who also focuses his practice on all aspects of entertainment and intellectual property law. Passin is named a "2009 Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics.

Hazzard and Passin's experience includes all aspects of entertainment law including trademark and copyright infringement, rights of publicity and privacy, and breach of contract. With solid experience in music-related intellectual property disputes, their clients include songwriters, musicians, actors, business and personal managers, independent record and music publishing companies, apparel companies, entertainment guilds, gaming companies, advertising agencies, and concert tour promoters.

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. (www.rkmc.com) has been named to the American Lawyer's A-List twice (2007 and 2004). The firm's dedication to its clients and community are illustrated by most recently being top ranked in Chambers USA for litigation, ranking #9 in the country for pro bono by The American Lawyer, receiving the Thomas L. Sager Award by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and receiving the EPA "Green Power Partner" Award. Through the firm's two foundations, The Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children and the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Private Foundation, over $20 million has been given since 1999.

The firm represents Fortune 500 corporations, emerging companies, entrepreneurs and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants. The firm is frequently engaged in high-stakes, complex litigation with significant bottom-line implications for their clients, and the business lawyers handle complex transactions in a variety of market segments. Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. has over 250 lawyers located in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Naples (FL).

Source: Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

CONTACT: Vivian Hood for Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.,
+1-904-220-1915, hoodv@jaffeassociates.com

Web Site: http://www.rkmc.com/

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