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Deborah Drooz is a nationally acknowledged litigator with extensive experience in defamation law, privacy law and business litigation. She is responsible for many precedent-setting appellate victories in the field of First Amendment jurisprudence. Ms. Drooz is an adjunct professor at Southwestern School of Law where she teaches defamation and privacy and lectures for the LLM program in Entertainment Law.
Throughout her career, Ms. Drooz has represented high-profile clients in defamation and privacy lawsuits. Her first appellate victory was won on behalf of comedian Rodney Dangerfield in his lawsuit against the tabloid Star Editorial. She went on to achieve victories or reach favorable settlements on behalf of many other public figure defamation plaintiffs including Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, entrepreneur Martha Stewart, legendary singers and song writers Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, actor Kevin Costner and hotelier Steve Wynn. Ms. Drooz has also represented corporate clients including Anschutz Entertainment Group, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and Amerco.
Ms. Drooz is experienced in the defense of defamation and First Amendment law suits. On behalf of the Hawaii Teamsters Union she overturned an exorbitant defamation judgement that would have driven her clients into bankruptcy. When photographer and film maker David LaChapelle was sued in connection with his film Rize, Ms. Drooz persuaded the court that the suit should be dismissed on First Amendment grounds. Ms. Drooz successfully obtained a dismissal of a suit against a hotelier and his attorney on privilege grounds.
Ms. Drooz also represents clients in intellectual property matters including copyright and trademark cases. She advises media organizations, newspapers, book publishers, artists, and entertainment industry professionals on issues relating to defamation, privacy, copyright, trademark, advertising, reporter’s privilege as well as tort and contract claims. Ms. Drooz is a four-time recipient of the Best Lawyers in America Award in litigation/First Amendment law. She is committed to providing innovative and effective solutions for her clients. | Email | Resume
Deborah Drooz awarded Best Lawyers for the years 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018.
Gary L. Bostwick has been a trial attorney for almost 40 years, and is certified as a specialist in appellate law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He has tried over 70 cases. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an exclusive organization that only invites members with outstanding trial experience. He has been prominent in many complex business litigation and constitutional law matters, with a special emphasis on First Amendment and media concerns. He has represented clients as counsel in three different matters heard by the United States Supreme Court. Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US recognized him as one of California’s leading media and entertainment lawyers. He is a rated Super Lawyer 2004-2014 and is listed as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” and the Lawyer of the Year, 2012, in the First Amendment area.