Michael J. Plonsker
Experience
Co-chair of the firm's Entertainment and Media practice, focusing on film and television.
Areas of concentration include idea submission, profit participation, trademark and copyright infringement, right of publicity, right of privacy, defamation, guild and labor commission, employment, and internet-related disputes.
Clients in the entertainment industry include 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.
Selected Results*
Estate of John Ritter v. St. Joseph's Medical Center, represented John Ritter's family in wrongful death trial (2008). (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Marathon Entertainment v. Rosa Blasi on behalf of Blasi, prevailed in Talent Agency Act dispute argued before the California Supreme Court. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Wood Newton v. Harry Thomason, 22 F.3d 1455 (9th Cir. 1994. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Thomason in right of publicity claim regarding television series "Evening Shade." (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Playboy Enterprises, Inc v. Terry Welles, 7F.Supp2d 1098 (S.D. Cal 1998. Represented Welles in defeating a preliminary injunction application in one of the first trademark infringement actions relating to the internet. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Charles P. Caudle v. Harry Thomason, 992 F.Supp.11 (D.D.C. 1997. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Thomason in a case arising from the White House Travel Office matter. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Sean Hayes v. Vanguard Management. Labor Commission proceeding; on behalf of Hayes prevailed in a talent agency dispute, later obtaining summary judgment. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Sugar Ray Leonard. Labor Commission proceeding; prevailed in talent agency dispute. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Aisha Tyler. Labor Commission proceeding; prevailed in talent agency dispute. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)
Recognition
Named as one of the Top 100 "Power Lawyers" by The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. (2007, 2008, and 2009)**
Named "2005 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year" by the Century City Bar Association**
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America**
Listed in the publication Chambers USA, 2008**
Listed in America's Leading Business Lawyers, 2008**
Regularly listed as a "Super Lawyer" in Los Angeles Magazine**
Memberships
- Member, Board of Directors, Friends of the Los Angeles Free Clinic
- Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Bar Admissions
Education
- University of Illinois, J.D. (1981)
- University of Michigan, B.B.A., Accounting, (1978)
Selected Speeches
- Why Personal Managers Can't Enforce Their Contracts (Or Can They?)
(September 2007) - Ethical Dilemmas Representing High Profile Celebrity Clients
(June 2007) - Hot Legal Issues in Current Entertainment Litigation
(May 2007) - The Essential Guide to 2006 Entertainment Law & Business Transactions, Litigation and Ethics
Beverly Hills Bar Association Seminar (January 2007) - Current Topics In The Entertainment Industry
(December 2006) - Attorney Performance Review
(January 2005)