Japan is not the first place you think of when you bring up the sport of surfing. But in the little town of Hyuga, a southern port city in the Kyushu region, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Pristine beaches, popular surfing spots, no frills. It’s also where you would have found Jake Albertson teaching English in 2006.

After graduating with a degree in Sociology from Brown University, Jake took some time before attending law school seeking simplicity in his life. While his surroundings in Hyuga were picture-perfect, Jake’s inability to communicate effectively in Japanese made his day-to-day experience exceedingly complex. Life in Japan forced Jake to change the way he thought about language and communication. He learned how to hone the all-important skill of keeping it simple. 

During his year in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program, Jake taught English to 9th & 10th graders, coached students preparing for English-speaking competitions, and eventually became conversant in Japanese – nothing fancy, just enough to get by. Jake also made a name for himself as the worst karate student his dojo had ever seen, a nightmare at the karaoke bar (tone-deaf and loud), and the only adult in town who biked with a helmet on.

Jake has never forgotten the important lessons that Hyuga taught him about effective communication, and he continues to practice the art of simple today. Fortunately for all of us, his karaoke days are (mostly) behind him.

Legal Expertise

Jake Albertson has extensive experience in all stages of litigation and arbitration, including trials in state and federal courts, hearings before the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), and arbitration proceedings before JAMS and AAA.  He represents companies and individuals in a broad range of industries, including music, television, online media, and technology.  Jake’s practice focuses on complex issues relating to intellectual property, commercial contracts, and employment law.

Representative Matters

• Represent producers, distributors, and broadcasters in multiple employment lawsuits brought by former participants in an enormously popular reality television franchise. (New York state and federal courts.)
• Obtained dismissal on behalf of a financial news publisher in a class action lawsuit which sought to hold the publisher liable for purported violations of the Investment Advisors Act and related state statutes. (Lingley v. Seeking Alpha, S.D.N.Y.)
• Obtained dismissal on behalf of a multinational mass media and entertainment company in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraud. (New York state court.)
• As lead counsel for an emerging biotechnology company in an action concerning potential disclosure of trade secret information, defeated the plaintiff’s application for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed their complaint the day after the Court denied their preliminary motion.  (Delaware federal court.)
• Obtained a complete victory on behalf of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in a contentious, years-long litigation over the closure of Ramsay’s Los Angeles restaurant.  At the end of a two-week trial in New York, the Court not only dismissed all claims against Ramsay (including the plaintiff’s demand for $10 million in damages), but also ruled in favor of Ramsay on his counterclaims, awarding over $1 million in damages and over $4 million in attorneys’ fees.  The Court rejected the plaintiff’s allegations of misconduct by Ramsay, and found that the plaintiff, not Ramsay, was dishonest, disreputable, and entirely at fault.  The trial Court’s findings were upheld on appeal.  (Seibel v. Ramsay, N.Y. Sup. Ct. & 1st Dep’t.)
• Obtained judgment as a matter of law dismissing copyright infringement claim, on behalf of record companies, publishers, and songwriters of a hit pop song.  Decision was affirmed on appeal.  (Gray v. Perry, C.D. Cal., 9th Cir.)
• Secured hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties on behalf of producers and distributors of copyrighted television programming following a 5-week evidentiary hearing before the CRB. Delivered closing argument advocating for our clients’ proffered allocation methodology, which the Judges adopted in crafting the final award.
• Represent major recording artists, songwriters, and record labels in opposition to copyright infringement claims relating to two hit pop songs. (New York federal court.)
• Represent a multinational mass media and entertainment company in various employment- and contract-related disputes. (New York state and federal courts.)
• Represent one of the world’s largest chemical companies in litigation concerning Covid-related force majeure declarations and other commercial disputes. (Delaware state court.)
• As co-lead counsel, obtained a $4 million award for a green energy investor following a seven-day arbitration in New York.
• On behalf of an independent music publisher, obtained an order of sanctions against opposing counsel, which required opposing counsel to pay our client’s attorneys’ fees.
• Successfully represented major music publishers in a lengthy dispute concerning a catalog of classic pop and jazz songs.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice of tort claims against a golf club manufacturer and related companies in San Diego Superior Court.
• Represented a television service provider in multiple suits concerning intellectual property, contract disputes, and telemarketing law.  Cases included a consumer class action and a suit by the U.S. Department of Justice and four state attorneys general.
• Represented various financial services companies in state and federal court securities litigations across the country.
• Represented a Big Four accounting firm in investigations by the SEC and CFPB.
• Provide pro bono litigation and counseling services regarding various issues, including intellectual property, housing, immigration, and family law.

Honors & Awards

• "Client Service All-Star," BTI Consulting Group (2024) 
• "Pro Bono Publico Award," Legal Aid Society (2012-2013)

Other Career Experience

• Associate, Litigation, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (2011-2016)
• Fellowship in Civil Rights Law, Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing & Feinberg LLP (2010-2011)

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Events & Speaking Engagements