BRITTNEY R. DOBBINS
OVERVIEW
Brittney focuses her practice on litigation matters and client counseling in entertainment, intellectual property, music, technology, employment, and other general business and liability matters on behalf of individual and corporate clients.
Brittney also structures and negotiates entertainment transactions for individuals and corporations in the music, television, film, and sports industries. Her clients include artists, songwriters, actors, influencers, producers, publishers, and athletes.
Before starting her own practice, Brittney was the Los Angeles based associate of Billboard Top Music Lawyer Richard S. Busch, for whom her experience included litigation and counseling involving some of the biggest stars and creative minds in music.
Brittney has been featured in magazines, such as The Top 100 Attorneys, and she has been recognized by Best Lawyers as Someone to Watch in the areas of Entertainment and Intellectual Property law, The National Black Lawyers in its Top 40 Under 40 list for California, and The National Advocates as one of California's Top 20 Employment Lawyers under the age of 40. Brittney is also a member of some of the most prestigious organizations in her field, such as the Recording Academy and ForbesBLK.
A former elite gymnast and student-athlete, Brittney is motivated by building value, and setting and meeting goals. She is a trusted team player with the ability to lead and sustain performance. In her spare time, you can find Brittney teaching yoga or singing at an open mic night.
Education
► DePaul University (BA, cum laude)
► California Western School of Law (JD)
Admissions
► California
► United States District Court for the Central, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
Professional Affiliations
► Featured in The Top 100 Attorneys’ Magazine (2024)
► ForbesBLK, Member (2023 - Present)
► Recording Academy, Professional Member (2022 - Present)
► Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch | Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law (2023 - 2024)
► National Black Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40, member (2018 - 2021)
► National Advocates’ Top 20 Employment Lawyers Under 40, President and member (2019)
Recent Presentations, Conferences, & Speaking Engagements
► UCLA Guest Lecturer/Panelist - Music Industry 104A Fall 2021
► USC Guest Lecturer/Panelist – Introduction to the Music Industry Fall 2021
► Appeared as morning news guest discussing gender equality in the workplace, San Diego CW6 News (2015)
Prominent Representations
► Obtained a temporary restraining order on behalf of Megan Pete, professionally known as “Megan Thee Stallion” against her record label, 1501 Certified Entertainment and its CEO, former baseball star Carl Crawford, allowing her to release her EP entitled Suga.
► Participated in the litigation between Megan Pete, professionally known as “Megan Thee Stallion” and her record label, 1501 Certified Entertainment and its CEO, former baseball star Carl Crawford; seeking on behalf of the rapper, $1M and the termination of her contract, for fraud, breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, and other violations of civil law. Work included drafting the complaint and propounding discovery.
► Participated in the litigation between Robin Antin, the founder of the Pussycat Dolls, and Nicole Scherzinger, regarding Nicole Scherzinger’s alleged refusal to take part in the group's reunion tour. Work included drafting the complaint for the founder and settlement negotiations.
► Participated in litigation between music producer Danny Choi, professionally known as “Ghost Loft” and the Juice World Estate over an alleged unlawful sample of the producer’s work in the late rapper’s song entitled Scared of Love. Work included drafting the complaint for the producer and settlement negotiations.
► Successfully advises clients in the entertainment and sports industry on structuring business deals and operations that adequately protect their intellectual property from employees and other third parties.
► In the first few years of her practice, negotiated favorable settlement on behalf of client, of $100M personal injury action asserting claim of negligence; negotiated numerous favorable settlements on behalf of clients, for actions asserting claims of breach of warranty; negotiated favorable settlement on behalf of client, of $100K prelitigation demand asserting claim of wrongful termination; and successfully advised clients on structuring business operations that adequately comply with state employment laws and regulations.
► As a legal extern, participated in the defense of the Trump University case; participated in the successful litigation of an action asserting claims of civil rights violations against the San Diego Police Department, work included drafting direct examinations and motions in limine; participated in the successful litigation of an action asserting violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act against Disneyland, work included participating in the depositions of the persons most knowledgeable regarding emergency evacuation procedures and ride operations; and successfully assisted small businesses and start-ups with the filing of trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Beyond the Office
Brittney is an accomplished executive with demonstrated success in multiple industries. In addition to her legal accolades Brittney is also an accomplished CEO and a consulting COO serving the Yoga and Wellness industry. Brittney, who spent over four years in supervisory/operative level management for the retail clothing and accessory industry before becoming an attorney, created a yoga lifestyle brand during Covid to fulfill her passion for Black Women’s Health and her broader goal of introducing yoga to the African American community. Her mission is to develop an interconnected, supportive, culturally sensitive, and inclusive black and brown owned yoga community. A former competitive gymnast, track and cheerleading star, Brittney has extensive athletic cross-training, and, experience teaching yoga and bringing that practice into her daily life. Brittney enjoys working with anyone interested in learning more about yoga and improving their health and physical capabilities!