Lucia E. Coyoca - Attorneys - Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP ~ Full service entertainment law firm

Legal Expertise

Extensive jury and bench trial, arbitration, and mediation experience.

Broad entertainment industry experience, including film investment disputes, accounting disputes as to sales of films and syndicated television programming, "back-end" contingent compensation claims, copyright, idea submission and other intellectual property claims.

Insurance industry expertise focused on the representation of insured clients in disputes over coverage for employment, media & film production claims, securities, and business interruption claims. Also represented California Insurance Commissioner in matters involving conservation of insolvent insurers.

Represent employers in a wide range of employment disputes, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, trade secret/unfair competition cases and other administrative matters.

Representative Matters

Ongoing representation of motion picture financiers and investors in connection with a number of film financing disputes.
Successfully defended a large national clothing manufacturer in several high-profile employment related claims.
Successfully resolved claims asserted by motion picture celebrities for alleged misappropriation of name, likeness & image.
Represented prevailing party in three Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) arbitrations for film production and distribution companies concerning film and television distribution agreements.

Partner - Los Angeles

Email Lucia E. Coyoca

Phone:

(310) 312-3250

Fax:

(310) 231-8444

Practice Area

Industry Focus

Entertainment and insurance industries

Education

University of California Davis School of Law, J.D., 1986
University of California Los Angeles, B.A., 1983

Court Admissions

California
USDC, Central District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Professional Recognition

"500 Leading Lawyers in America," Lawdragon (2012)
"Top 5% of lawyers in Southern California," Southern California Super Lawyers (2005-2010)
AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Publications and Presentations

Published numerous articles on diversity, insurance coverage, and entertainment related issues.
Speaker, Closing Arguments that Rock: How to Move Judges and Juries, ABA Trial Practice Workshop (February 2012)
Speaker, Intro to Legal Hollywood, USC School of Law (February 2012)
Guest Lecturer, Punitive Damages, USC Law School (February 2012)
Speaker, Ethical Challenges in Preparing Witnesses and Working with Experts: Best Practices to Avoid Unethical Coaching of Lay and Expert Witnesses, Stafford Publishing webinar (January 2012)
Speaker, Staying the Course: Overcoming Challenges over the Decades of a Legal Career, American Bar Association Section of Litigation Corporate Counsel CLE Seminar (February 2011)
Two MS&K Partners Contribute Chapters to "The Woman Advocate," (American Bar Association, April 2010)
Author, The Diversity Dilemma: Another Victim of the Bad Economy?, American Bar Association Section of Litigation Publication (February 2010)
Moderator, The Diversity Dilemma, American Bar Association, Corporate Counsel CLE (February 2010)
Speaker, Entertainment Law in Review, Los Angeles County Bar Association (January 2010)
Moderator, Entertainment Law Year in Review, Los Angeles County Bar Association (January 2010)

Professional, Business, and Civic Affiliations

Diversity Committee, Managing Partners Roundtable
Co-Chair, Woman Advocate Committee of the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation
California State Bar Committee on Status of Diversity in the Profession
Former member, Board of Directors, Public Counsel
Former member, Board of Directors, Legal Momentum (formerly known as NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund)