Richard B Kendall

Partner, Media & Entertainment Litigation

Richard B. Kendall’s practice focuses on complex litigation, and his experience spans more than four decades, several continents, and leading judicial and arbitration forums worldwide.

A former federal prosecutor, Mr. Kendall has prevailed in every one of the dozens of civil trials and arbitrations in which he has served as lead counsel representing both the defense and plaintiff sides. Over time, he has become the go-to litigator and trial counsel for his clients, some of whom, like Paramount and MTV, that he has represented for more than 25 years.

Mr. Kendall has argued and successfully resolved sophisticated, contentious, and unprecedented challenges to the First Amendment and the rights of privacy and publicity. He has argued on preemption of state consumer laws and environmental claims against the military before the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, Mr. Kendall also litigated asset confiscation and recovery claims that were connected to the fall of Saigon and the overthrow of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

His courtroom background includes serving as lead trial counsel in dozens of trials and appeals in the federal and state courts, including two arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Hollywood Reporter has recognized him as a Power Lawyer multiple years, and the other leading Hollywood publication, Variety, has named him one of the industry’s leading lawyers for the last three years. In addition, the prestigious Chambers & Partners legal ranking organization has repeatedly ranked him among the top media and entertainment litigators since 2004. It also has quoted clients as saying that Mr. Kendall is “very analytical and experienced,” as well as one of the West Coast’s “strongest litigators.”

As a commercial litigator and an advisor on transactional matters, Mr. Kendall represents major entertainment studios, leading media companies, securities, banking and financial institutions, and foreign governments in complex, sensitive, and high-stakes disputes and negotiations. Current significant areas of his counsel include distribution rights battles, copyright, financing, and profit-participation disputes.

Chambers USA, Top Ranked Litigator in Media & Entertainment Law, 2004–present

Variety, Leading Lawyer, 2018–present

Benchmark Litigation, California Entertainment Litigator of the Year, 2021

Daily Journal, Top 100 Lawyers, 2020

Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star 2021—present

The Best Lawyers in America, Bet-the-Company and Commercial Litigation, 2007–present

Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers, 2017

Southern California Super Lawyer, 2004–present

The Hollywood Reporter, Power Lawyer, multiple years including 2022

John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation, Recipient

Daily Journal, Top Entertainment Lawyer, 2015

University of Southern California Law School

Adjunct professor

Western Center on Law and Poverty, Board of Directors, 1989–1997

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Board of Directors, 2001–2007

The Broad Stage, Board of Directors, Chair, 2014–2020; Member, Board of Directors, since 2011

Human Rights Watch, member, Southern California Committee, since 2011