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After practicing in Australia from 1990, Mr. Webster joined the firm in 1993.  He has since engaged in complex business disputes in numerous jurisdictions in the United States and abroad, involving both governmental and private entities.  Mr. Webster has also represented clients across the media and entertainment spectrum, and has experience in a range of complex actions involving major financial institutions and secured transactions.  He has represented international media conglomerates, motion picture studios, television networks, music and concert promoters, talent agencies and advertising agencies.  His individual clients have included major motion picture producers, directors and actors, music industry artists and producers, screenwriters and journalists.  He has consistently successfully represented those entities and individuals in complex contract, copyright, tort and first amendment disputes.  He has also practiced extensively and successfully in a wide range of real estate disputes.

Lead counsel for the world's largest concert promoter in defending suits relating to merger with world’s leading live entertainment ticketing and marketing company.

Representing Mattel in the highly-publicized theft of trade secrets and idea theft case against MGA Entertainment ("MGA"), the company which sells the Bratz line of dolls. Mattel alleged that it owns the rights to the fashion dolls because the doll's designer Carter Bryant created the concept while employed at Mattel. On July 17, 2008, after a seven week trial in U.S. District Court in Riverside, California, the jury rendered a unanimous decision that the majority of Bratz design drawings, prototypes and sculpts were created by doll designer Bryant while he was employed by Mattel. The jury also found that MGA and its CEO intentionally interfered with, and aided and abbetted, Bryant's breach of his contractual and fiduciary duties to Mattel. The jury awarded Mattel $100 million.

Represented studio entities in successful affirmation of dismissal of tort claims on first amendment grounds, Long v. Disney, 116 Cal App. 4th 868.

Represented exploration company in $10 billion claim regarding corruption of foreign government concerning major hydrocarbon fields, including racketeering and antitrust claims for treble damages.

Represented nuclear power generation arm of foreign government in dispute over sourcing of nuclear material from Russian Federation.

Represented about two dozen hedge funds, including international funds, grouped under four management entities -- Elliott, Davidson-Kempner, Appaloosa, and Angelo Gordon -- as plaintiff-holders of Yosemite and Enron Credit-Linked (ECLN) Notes in the Yosemite v. Citibank action in the Enron MDL. The noteholders asserted fraudulent transfer claims against Citibank and collectively sought in excess of $1.4 billion on those claims. With Citibank's motion for summary judgment pending, Citibank and Enron agreed to a joint settlement and our clients will receive in excess of $2.1 billion in payments from the Enron bankruptcy estate.

Represent purchasers of notes in connection with collapse of Australian mining company, against leading financial institution, for role in issuance of notes prior to failure of company's gold hedging and trading strategy.

Trial counsel in action against Microsoft for theft of trade secrets and fraud in connection with intellectual property for home entertainment.

Trial counsel on behalf of "deep pocket" motion picture studio defendant in an entertainment industry trial; won nonsuit after closing statements, with $52 million verdict entered against other defendants.  Subsequently acted as lead appellate counsel, resulting in affirmation of nonsuit and prior summary adjudication.

Counsel for broadcast television network, defeated eleventh hour application for injunction to prevent pending broadcast of boxing "reality" program based on violations of boxing regulations depicted in the program; successfully invoked doctrine of First Amendment prior restraint.

Trial counsel on $6 million real estate claims; won specific performance.

Trial counsel on behalf of production and merchandising entities on a $20 million copyright claim based on a highly successful television and motion picture property; won complete defense verdict. Kling v. Hallmark Cards, Inc., 225 F.3d 1030 (9th Cir. 2000)

Arbitration counsel on $9.5 million claim in construction dispute in the first ever International Chamber of Commerce arbitration in Peru; won complete recovery and defeated adverse claims.

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