February 19, 2008
THE DAILY JOURNAL
By Alexa Hyland
LOS ANGELES – Jeffrey D. Goldman, an entertainment litigator whose clients include Universal Music Group, has joined the Los Angeles office of Loeb & Loeb as partner. Goldman follows Scott Edel as the second lateral hire in the firm’s entertainment group since January.
Goldman, who began work at Loeb & Loeb on Feb. 11, started his legal career as a summer associate at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp and spent 16 years at the firm.
During his tenure, Goldman has represented prominent rap stars Dr. Dre and Eminem and hip-hop artist Soulja Boy Tell Em, responsible for the 2007 hit single “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy). ”
“I really thought that Loeb & Loeb was a unique opportunity to expand my practice,” Goldman said. “The firm has an unparalleled music practice, an area I’ve been focused on for much of my career.”
Loeb & Loeb managing partner John Frankenheimer said Goldman brings skills that strengthen the firm’s growing entertainment and intellectual property litigation groups.
“[Goldman] has a well-know presence in music and entertainment litigation, and Loeb & Loeb has been co-counsel with him on matters in the past,” Frankenheimer said. “We have a good understanding of his skill sets and reputation.”
A Hastings College of the Law graduate, Goldman, 41, was weaned on the entertainment industry.
His grandfather, prominent entertainment lawyer Louis Goldman, introduced him to Howard Hughes’ and Warren Beatty’s attorney, Edward Rubin. Rubin practiced at Mitchell Silberberg, where Goldman first chose to hone his litigation skills.
At Mitchell Silberberg, Goldman studied under partner Russell Frackman, a staple in the music industry.
“[Frackman] has been my mentor and a father to me my whole career; that is what made this so difficult,” Goldman said of the move.
Although Goldman is leaving one mentor, he is sure to gain another in Frankenheimer.
A partner and co-chairman of Loeb & Loeb and chair of the firm’s music practice group, Frankenheimer represents companies, artists and executives in all aspects of the music industry.
“The opportunity to work with someone of John Frankenheimer’s reputation was appealing, and not just John, but the entire music group at Loeb has an amazing reputation,” Goldman said.
The core of Goldman’s practice, representing record labels in their intellectual property disputes, finds him on both the plaintiffs’ and defense side in cases.
“It gives me a broader perspective of copyright issues, not just from the isolated perspective of the plaintiff or defendant,” Goldman said.
He represented heavy-metal rocker Rob Zombie, who sued automaker Mazda and its advertising agency for the unlawful use of his song, “Demonoid Phenomenon,” in a commercial. The case settled in 2002.
Goldman also represented MCA Records with a team of lawyers and won summary judgment against Mattel. The toy manufacturer had sued the label after Scandinavian dance-pop group Aqua released its 1997 hit, “Barbie Girl,” for trademark infringement, claiming the song tarnished the reputation of their trademark.
As Goldman makes a new home at 300-attorney Loeb & Loeb, he is joining Edel, whose practice is in the entertainment industry, representing major studio motion pictures and independent productions, as well as writers, directors and producers.
“They are high-quality and visible attorneys with excellent reputations in their areas, who are appropriate for what we are already doing,” Frankenheimer said of the two additions to the firm. “We are always looking to expand on our strengths, and both of these gentlemen fulfill that vision.”