Zachary Elsea

Zach is a partner in Eisner, LLP’s Los Angeles office, where he represents companies and individuals in complex litigation across the entertainment, technology, financial services, and real estate sectors. As a dedicated advocate for his clients, Zach has successfully tried numerous jury trials and arbitrations to conclusion, and he has handled over a dozen writs and appeals in state and federal courts.

In addition to his broad expertise in commercial litigation generally, Zach has particular expertise in intellectual property litigation and counseling, including copyright, trademark, right of publicity, and related issues. He also has significant experience representing both employers and employees in high-stakes trade secret, non-compete, employment, and partnership disputes.

Zach received the Pro Bono of the Year award from the Public Counsel’s Appellate Law Program in 2012 for his work on a housing discrimination dispute. Outside of his legal practice, Zach is a member of the board of directors of the Harvard Law School Association of Los Angeles. He previously served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Milan D. Smith, Jr. on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Practice Focus

• Entertainment, Media & the Arts
• Commercial Litigation
• Arbitration & Mediation
• IP Litigation
• Real Estate
• Labor & Employment

Admissions

• State Bar of California
• U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Education

• Harvard Law School (J.D., 2011), cum laude
• Oxford University (MSc, 2008)
• Harvard College (A.B., 2006)

Organizations

• Member of the Board of Directors of the Harvard Law School Association of Los Angeles

Honors and Awards

• Rising Star, Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine, 2017-2023
• The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2021

• Up-And-Coming 100, Super Lawyers, 2021

• Hollywood’s New Leaders, Variety, 2020
• Pro Bono of the Year Award, Public Counsel Appellate Law Program, 2012

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• “IP Law Career Day,” LAIPLA and UC Irvine School of Law, February 2019
• “Jeff Bezos, The National Enquirer and The Meaning Of ‘Extortion,” Forbes, February 8, 2019
• Guest, “Barely Legal with Joe Escalante” Radio Show, July 22, 2018
• “Do Sacha Baron Cohen’s Targets Have a Shot at Winning a Lawsuit?” The Hollywood Reporter, July 2018
• Moderator, LACBA Barristers “Careers in Government” Panel, May 2018
• “How Ginger and Fred Settled the Battle Between Two ‘Empires,’” Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, February 2018
• “Unprecedented Battle Looming: AT&T Threatens To Take Trump And DOJ To Court Over Time Warner Deal,” Forbes, November 2017
• “AT&T’s Acquisition Of Time Warner Could Be In Jeopardy,” Forbes, November 2017
• “Summary Analysis of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016,” Los Angeles Lawyer, November 2016
• “SB 1177: Protecting Our Children on the Internet,” Daily Journal, January 21, 2015
• “Oh, Say Can You ©: Jimi Hendrix, Shostakovich, and All That Jazz!” Century City Lawyer, November 2011