Associate Attorney
Brief info
MICHAEL J. HOLMES
SUMMARY
Michael is a Senior corporate counsel with extensive complex litigation and transactional experience. Expert in risk mitigation and litigation avoidance; corporate planning; brand management; marketing and business development. Superior written, analytical & oral presentation skills. Admitted to practice in MA and CA.
EDUCATION
Tulane University School of Law, New Orleans, LA, Juris Doctor 1998
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy 1989
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Wells Law, Beverly Hills, CA December 2016 – September 2022
Of Counsel; Intellectual Property, Entertainment and Business Litigation
Boutique Practice specializing in Intellectual Property Litigation, Entertainment Law, and Business Consulting for creative artists, entertainment production companies, and industry professionals. Highly skilled in all phases of trial work, having successfully represented A-List clients and production houses in both state and federal court, including depositions, mediation, and arbitrations.
Kirkland & Ellis, Los Angeles, CA April 2016 – December 2016
Project Manager; M&A / Corporate Litigation
Lead, designed and managed largescale pretrial discovery platform for the bankruptcy/debt-restructuring of a major motion picture, music, and multi-media production company (RELATIVITY MEDIA). Responsible for hiring, training, managing, and supervising team of 75 Contract Attorneys. Customized and streamlined electronic database to maximize performance and accuracy, while minimizing costs and delays. Collaborated closely with partners, senior attorneys, support staff, and IT staff to successfully meet high volume deliverables & production milestones on or before schedule without fail.
Mark Phillips Philms and Telephision, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 2008 - 2016
General Counsel; Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs
Drafted and negotiated all agreements related to the acquisition, production, sale and distribution of original television programming, including delivery of five seasons of the #1 rated television series, “My Ghost Story” to the A&E Network. Responsible for all necessary Rights and Clearances / Regulatory Compliance issues; advised Officers and Directors re: Constitutional Law; Labor & Employment; Corporate Governance and Tax issues. Drove business development initiatives and authored/negotiated all co-production deals, above the line contracts, licensing & merchandising.
Agapay Levyn & Halling, Los Angeles, CA 2004 - 2007
Senior Associate; Real Estate, Banking, Complex Commercial Disputes
Direct report to the General Counsel for Prudential John Douglas Realty/Coldwell Banker for entire state of California. Coordinated all litigation and administrative proceedings, managed and maintained outside counsel relationships, set and monitored established budgets. Represented Elite Level Residential Brokers in Los Angeles. Advised and represented Senior Management, Legal and Regulatory Risk teams for US BANK re: bank regulatory changes, lender liability, fraud prevention/investigation and general business litigation. Second Chair Trial Counsel in successful representation of Grammy-winning guitarist, Don Felder, in highly publicized lawsuit with his former band, Eagles.
Buchalter Nemer, Los Angeles, CA 2002 - 2004
Associate; Business Litigation, Bankruptcy/Receivership, and Film Financing
Independently managed and supervised profit participation and multiple creditor disputes on behalf of Comerica Bank Entertainment Group. Coordinated and managed running slate of arbitrations for a global community of international film distributors. Direct report to Litigation Chair, overseeing and driving numerous bankruptcy and receivership matters.
Jones Day, Los Angeles, CA 2000 - 2002
Staff Attorney; Complex Commercial Litigation
Supported Senior Partners in prosecuting a massive construction defect case on behalf of the City of Los Angeles (Lankersheim Blvd quake/collapse). Managed a team of ten contract attorneys; coordinated key issue development with resident subject matter experts, geologists, and tunnel engineers; managed and maintained Concordance database; curated/maintained hard copy evidence repository for use in drafting law & motion, case development, and the preparation of over 200 expert and percipient witnesses. Direct report to Senior Litigation Partners, facilitated key issue spotting/exposure analysis; drafted strategic recommendations and assisted in the development of strategies and tactics.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
J.T. Moran and Company, New York, New York 1989 - 1991
Account Executive
Series 7 & Series 63 NY State-licensed Securities Broker specializing in the development and sale of small cap growth stocks. Earned “Rookie of the Year” award for achieving highest sales revenue of any first-year broker. Received comprehensive skills training, including client relations, market analysis and portfolio management, in a fast-paced, highly competitive environment.