Ellie Hourizadeh, Esq., is a mediator, arbitrator, court appointed neutral and neutral evaluator with more than 25 years of experience resolving high-stakes disputes across the United States and internationally. Based in Los Angeles and available nationwide, she delivers efficient, fair, and creative resolutions in commercial, securities, health care, intellectual property, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, entertainment, employment, real estate, manufacturing, mergers and acquisitions and cross-border disputes. She has litigated cases arising out of recording contracts, partnership dissolutions, antipiracy disputes, privacy issues, idea submission claims, distribution agreements, employments issues, audit rights and wage and hour disputes. 

A former partner at a major international law firm, Ms. Hourizadeh has litigated and mediated complex cases involving securities, healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, social media, licensing, manufacturing, and mergers and acquisitions. She has served as a mediator for the Central District of California and Los Angeles Superior Court since 2019 and previously as a temporary judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court and was repeatedly recognized as a preeminent litigator in Los Angeles by Super Lawyers. She also brings significant international experience, having represented clients in cross-border disputes throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. 

Known for her calm demeanor, outside-the-box solutions, and ability to manage high-conflict matters, Ms. Hourizadeh offers both in-person and virtual dispute resolution services for clients in California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and beyond, and is available to travel to facilitate settlement conferences and arbitrations. She speaks conversational Spanish and professional-level Farsi.

Representative Matters

• Antitrust & Competition
• Represented juice manufacturer against Chinese competitor in antitrust and unfair competition litigation
• Represented toy manufacturer in antitrust litigation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Represented company in connection with data privacy dispute and AI liability claims
• Represented company in connection with intellectual property issues arising from AI
• Represented company in connection with allegedly stole AI technology and creation and use in infringing technology
• Counseled several cryptocurrency companies in connection with use of artificial intelligence
• Counseled clients on ownership issues arising from artificial intelligence technology and use
• Business Commercial
• Mediated dispute between company and US Department of Justice concerning taxes due pursuant to large asset sale
• Mediated breach of contract disputes between licensor and licensee and employer and officer pending in federal court
• Mediated commercial dispute arising from partnership agreement for litigation pending in Superior Court
• Mediated breach of contract dispute arising from purchase of assets
• Mediated dispute arising from commercial agreement between franchisor and franchisee
• Mediated complex litigation dispute involving multiple parties to estate planning documents
• Mediated complex litigation arising from the large commercial real estate transaction
• Represented software company in SaaS contract dispute
• Represented consumer in regulatory matter relating to financial services and financial offerings
• Represented several writers against large entertainment company in connection with breach of contract regarding breach in licensing/distribution rights
• Represented distributor against manufacturer in connection with breach of contract of sale of goods. 
• Represented leading denim manufacturer in connection with breach of franchise agreement
• Represented grocery store chain in dispute over terms and enforcement of commercial lease
• Represented employee in connection with dispute arising from property management agreement
• Represented software company in connection with breach of contract/implied warranty action
• Represented major shareholder in connection with contract dispute over a partnership agreement alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty
• Represented property owners in dispute over construction contract for shopping mall
• Represented company in dispute under California False Claims Act
• Represented company founder in dispute arising from dissolution of partnership agreement
• Represented seller of consumer goods in dispute arising from additional terms stated on the back of seller’s invoice
• Represented social media influencer in breach of contract dispute 
• Represented social media influencer in negotiations and drafting of product endorsement 
• Drafted social media platform’s terms of use 
• Represented social medial platform in connection with privacy dispute 
• Represented technology company in connection with dispute brought by social media influencer for breach of contract and privacy
• Cannabis
• Represented landlord in connection with complaint filed by government for shopping center where the tenant was selling cannabis related products 
• Represented cannabis company in connection with lawsuit filed by City for improper license
• Construction
• Represented construction company in matter rising from alleged construction defects 
• Represented real estate property owner in connection with mechanics liens and surety bond claims 
• Represented construction company in connection with claims filed by sub-contractor
• Represented real estate property developer in connection with construction defect and related claims against construction company and sub-contractors 
• Represented construction company in connection with bond claim. 
• Represented real estate property owner against insurance company for claims arising from construction
• Cryptocurrency
• Represented several celebrities in securities litigation stemming from cryptocurrency
• Cybersecurity & Privacy
• Served as arbitrator in numerous cases involving consumer privacy rights and websites owned by large companies
• Counseled Fortune 100 company on privacy and data security laws, including preparing a comprehensive privacy and data security program and policies for the company and advising the company on how to implement effective response and remediation strategies 
• Counseled clients on online consumer privacy agreements  
• Represented search engine company against dispute arising from clicking yes to privacy agreement 
• Advised client on handling of data breach once the breach was discovered 
• Drafted and sent out data breach notices
• Employment Law
• Mediated dispute between furniture company and former chief operating officer in connection with termination, severance and covenant not to compete
• Mediated dispute between employer and employee arising from wage and hour dispute
• Mediated dispute arising from severance agreement
• Mediated dispute arising from allegations of breach of employment agreement
• Mediated dispute arising from alleged breach of employment agreement by officer
• Mediated dispute arising from alleged wrongful termination
• Mediated dispute arising from injuries sustained by employee
• Represented health care company in employment litigation arising from wage and hour dispute
• Represented health care company in action against the state board for breach of employment agreement
• Negotiated and drafted employment agreement for C-suite officers of health care company
• Represented product manufacturing company in claims arising from wage and hour dispute
• Negotiated and drafted employment agreement for C-suite officers of real estate management company
• Represented medical company in wrongful termination action before the employment board
• Represented real estate company concerning wrongful termination litigation
• Drafted, advised and trained clients on severance agreements and packages
• Entertainment & Sports
• Mediated dispute between estate of former entertainer and distribution company
• Mediated dispute related to net proceeds from promotion by a well-known athlete
• Represented NBA player in trademark disputes and enforcement matters
• Represented artist’s estate in his copyright infringement and royalties dispute with an international publishing company concerning the publishing company’s rights and obligations to the artist’s estate
• Represented instrument manufacturer in connection with a trademark and trade dress dispute as well as a breach of contract dispute with the manufacturer of the subcomponents of the instrument
• Represented Spanish-language television and radio broadcaster in connection with various intellectual property, breach of contract, employment and privacy issues
• Responsible for enforcement of Spanish-language television and radio broadcaster trademarks in several trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board
• Counseled major television studio regarding risk management in non-scripted programming
• Represented NBA player in dispute with former officer involving royalties and forensic accounting
• Represented music artist in connection with unpaid royalties
• Represented family of deceased music artist in connection with royalty and profit dispute, including audit of manager’s records to identify net profits
• Represented screenwriters in connection with breach of fiduciary duty against industry guild
• Health Care
• Served as in-house counsel to major healthcare provider 
• Advised clients and litigated reimbursement disputes 
• Advised clients and litigated Payor-provider disputes 
• Advised clients and litigated fraud, abuse and kickback allegations
• Advised clients in connection with healthcare acquisitions 
• Litigated hospital-physician and physician-medical practice disputes 
• Litigated medical data breach and privacy disputes 
• Represented provider against fraud, abuse, and kickback allegations
• Represented large healthcare provider in connection with claims of delay of care 
• Represented provider in connection with breach of non-solicitation provision
• Intellectual Property
• Mediated dispute between an iconic hotel and a well-known artist concerning a sculpture
• Mediated dispute arising from use of trademarks outside of licensee agreement
• Mediated dispute arising from use of photograph after the license term had expired
• Mediated dispute arising from alleged trademark infringement by competitor
• Mediated dispute arising from alleged copyright infringement by third party
• Mediated dispute arising from alleged use of trade secrets by former officer of company
• Responsible for global trademark and copyright portfolio management and enforcement for Fortune 100 companies specializing in toys, online games, medical apparatuses, pet products, motion pictures, television and radio broadcasting, and apparel manufacturing and distribution
• Represented retailers in litigation arising from trademark, copyright and right of publicity claims
• Represented online photograph content owner in multiple copyright infringement enforcement actions concerning copyrighted images
• Represented denim manufacturer and distributor in connection with trademark, trade secret, copyright and unfair competition claims
• Represented international couture brand in connection with copyright and right of publicity claims
• Represented toy manufacturer in trademark litigation concerning the color and design of a toy
• Represented international fashion couture company in a trade secret and breach of fiduciary duty suit against a former designer
• Represented software company in a trade secret, copyright and breach of contract suit
• Represented national museum in a copyright infringement action arising from use and display of dinosaur bones
• Represented manufacturing company’s inventor in connection with patent claims against a subcontractor.
• Represented toy manufacturing company in a trade dress action
• Represented clothing manufacturer concerning allegations that the company had misappropriated customer lists and engaged in trademark infringement
• Represented database software operator regarding claims of trade secret and misuse of confidential information by former employees of competitor
• Represented numerous clients in copyright infringement suits arising from unauthorized online advertising
• Counseled clients in connection with sweepstakes and giveaways in all 50 states
• Represented companies against civil and governmental actions arising from sweepstakes and giveaways
• International & Cross Border
• Represented Swedish alcohol company in licensing deals worldwide
• Represented alcohol company in Sweden in connection with intellectual property rights and the ability to display artwork encompassing the alcohol company’s products in a museum in Sweden when Swedish law prohibited art that included alcohol
• Represented large US juice company against Chinese licensee in China
• Represented premium couture fashion brands against counterfeiters and gray market goods in China
• Enforced intellectual property rights for premium denim companies throughout the world
• Advised clients on brand sponsorship and licensing issues as it relates to laws in UK, EU, China and South America. 
• Represented over 100 cases arising before the UDRP
• Represented largest Spanish broadcasting company in acquisition and sale of music libraries to companies in South America
• Represented largest Spanish broadcasting company in social media contracts for influencers in Mexico.
• Advised US based cryptocurrency companies in connection with obligations and restrictions in countries outside of the USA
• Represented US based juice manufacturing company in international arbitration in connection with a manufacturing and licensing dispute.
• Advised clients in establishing and integrating mediation procedures for national and international disputes.
• Personal Injury
• Mediated dispute arising from injuries and losses related to a car accident
• Mediated dispute arising between insurance carrier and driver
• Mediated dispute arising from accident involving Uber-driven vehicle
• Mediated dispute arising from injuries sustained while visiting an amusement park
• Real Property
• Mediated dispute arising from a 50-year ground lease. Mediation and resolution involved property owner, ground lease tenant and nine subtenants.
• Mediated dispute arising from agency issues between buyer and agency representing buyer
• Mediated dispute about commission due to agency arising from large commercial real estate transaction
• Mediated dispute arising from disclosures made during the sale process
• Mediated dispute post sale of real estate related to mold and condition of the property sold
• Mediated dispute between landlord and tenant
• Represented property owner in breach of contract and alleged conversion of rents and rescission in sale of commercial property
• Represented homeowner in residential lot line and easement dispute between property owners
• Represented property owner in dispute arising between neighbors related to city setback requirements
• Represented seller in breach of contract in sale of commercial real estate
• Represented buyer in dispute arising from liquidation of estate and transfer of commercial leases
• Represented real estate agency company in dispute arising from payment of commission to real estate agency
• Represented homeowner against title company in title issues related to lot line adjustment
• Represented seller of large real estate development in dispute of responsibility for breach of assigned leases
• Represented tenant in triple net lease dispute between commercial landlord and tenant
• Represented both landlords and tenants in various landlord/tenant disputes

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

• Preeminent Litigator, Super Lawyers, 2010–2018
• Mediator, Central District of California, 2021–2023
• Mediator, Los Angeles Superior Court, 2021–2023
• Member, National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), 2019–2025
• Member, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Lawyers Association, 2000–2025

Background and Education

Background

• Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, 2003–2024
• Litigation Associate, Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, 1999–2003
  
  

Education

• J.D., cum laude, Loyola Law School, 1999
• B.A., summa cum laude, With Special Honors, University of California, Los Angeles, 1996