Two New Sheppard Mullin Partners Expand Firm's Entertainment Practice Capabilities In Los Angeles
Kelly C. Crabb and Richard W. Kopenhefer have joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in Los Angeles as partners in the firm's Entertainment, Media & Technology and Labor & Employment practice groups, respectively. Crabb most recently practiced at Morrison & Foerster in Los Angeles and Kopenhefer was previously with McDermott Will & Emery in Los Angeles.
"Kelly and Rick are each an excellent fit with the firm, from both industry and practice perspectives. Kelly's broad sports and media practice, along with his long history of representing clients throughout Asia, dovetail well with both our entertainment group and our global media practice. Rick is one of only a handful of lawyers recognized as a preeminent entertainment labor attorney. His unique expertise bridges two of the firm's cornerstone practices: entertainment and labor," said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm.
Crabb has served as legal counsel in connection with three Olympic Games including representation of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (2008). He is highly experienced in the arena of international entertainment, media and sports, with high-level clients and cross-border deal experience in Japan, China, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, among other countries.
Crabb's practice has an entertainment and media focus, and includes a mix of sophisticated and complex financing, production and content work for international clients such as NBA China, MLB Properties, Daewoo Motor Sales, The Magic Store/Yo Gabba Gabba, Mountain West Conference, Quantum Leaps Corp., Skinit and LightStream Entertainment. "The firm's deep industry expertise in a variety of areas such as sports, IP, advertising and media transactions provides natural synergies with my diverse entertainment practice. I was attracted to both the firm's global media practice and the team's collegial spirit," Crabb said.
Kopenhefer specializes in entertainment industry labor law matters including residuals, credits disputes, union organizing, labor arbitration, civil litigation, collective bargaining and practice before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). "Sheppard Mullin is a top-notch firm with go-to entertainment and labor groups. The quality of people and depth of these two practice areas convinced me that this is the perfect home for me," Kopenhefer said. From 1978 to 1984, Kopenhefer was employed as a field attorney for the NLRB in both its Cincinnati and Los Angeles regional offices. His entertainment clients include Focus Features, Lionsgate Entertainment, Lakeshore Entertainment, Mandate Pictures, Hallmark Cards, Summit Entertainment and Morgan Creek.
"Kelly and Rick add significantly to our formidable entertainment capabilities. Specifically, Kelly's representation of the Olympics and Rick's handling of motion picture union disputes is renowned," said Bob Darwell, chair of the firm's Entertainment, Media & Technology practice group.
Crabb received a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1984, and a M.P.A. in 1973 and a B.A. in 1971 from Brigham Young University. Kopenhefer received a J.D. from University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1978 and an undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Duke University in 1975.
Sheppard Mullin has more than 200 attorneys based in its Los Angeles offices. The firm's Entertainment, Media & Communications practice group includes 50 attorneys firmwide. Sheppard Mullin's Labor & Employment practice group includes 75 attorneys.
About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with 550 attorneys in 11 offices located in the United States and Asia. Since 1927, companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100.