Jonathan Stein
Of Counsel
jonathan.stein@frlawcorp.com
Phone: (310) 587-2277
Fax: (310) 575-0170
Nature of Practices
Business Litigation
Mr. Stein often litigates against the largest firms in California state and federal courts. He litigates nationally as well, including in New York, Florida, South Carolina and Texas (with the assistance of local counsel).
Unlike the majority of business litigators, Mr. Stein relishes the opportunity to try a case before a jury, and values winning above all. His clients regularly spend less than half the money spent by less-focused opponents. His consistent focus on winning the case, rather than processing court papers, reduces the time to trial. Mr. Stein avoids discovery battles whenever possible, on the theory that perhaps 20 documents win most jury trials.
Most of Mr. Stein's cases are 7-figure cases. Mr. Stein’s hourly rate in 2010 is $525 per hour. This rate is designed to be 25% less than comparable rates charged by litigation partners at national or international law firms.
Mr. Stein emphasizes a direct and cost-effective approach to mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. A sense of strategic timing, the choice of a good mediator, and his personal reputation as someone who wins trials, give Mr. Stein's clients the ability to settle cases on preferential terms.
Gaming Industry Legal Work
Mr. Stein is broadly experienced in commercial gaming, Indian gaming and charity bingo. After 11 years in gaming, Mr. Stein is knowledgeable concerning commercial gaming operations and their legal problems, federal Indian law and IGRA, state gaming laws and regulatory bodies, as well as tribal compact terms and conditions.
Recent gaming industry work includes restructuring, bankruptcy and later admiralty actions stemming from failure of the largest gaming cruise ship operator in Florida; struggle for control, and later a 7-figure shareholder buyout, involving a Mississippi casino; regulatory work before California Gambling Control on behalf of a Nevada slot machine manufacturer; and restructuring negotiations on behalf of a California Indian Tribe.
Entertainment Litigation And Contracts
Mr. Stein currently represents Paramount Digital Entertainment in licensing IP properties to all facets of the gaming industry, in all countries.
Mr. Stein has been attorney of record in litigation for above-the-line talent and represented several of the industry's busiest second unit directors in business matters.
Mr. Stein has negotiated substantial contracts on behalf of talent with major studios including 20th Century Fox (Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four 2, Night At The Museum, Taxi, Big Momma's House 2), Sony (Spiderman, Big Fish), Paramount (Paycheck, Aoen Flux), NBC Universal (Jarhead), Disney (Hot Chick), Warner Bros. (Lady In The Water), MGM (Walking Tall), Dimension Films (Cursed), ABC-TV (Alias), NBC-TV (Crossing Jordan) and Fox-TV (Boston Public), among others.
Other Business Experience
Mr. Stein is a registered lobbyist under California’s Political Reform Act. His clients include an Indian Tribe, a major gaming machine manufacturer, and a local Bar Association. Mr. Stein has been a lobbyist for 5 years and has a large number of relationships with elected officials and their staffs. As important, Mr. Stein has been part of high-profile, controversial legislative battles with entrenched interests.
Mr. Stein has extensive contacts among large investment banks, regional investment banks and boutique banks, as well as private equity funds, hedge funds and alternative investment funds. Mr. Stein’s relationships are strongest in the real estate, gaming and leisure space. But these same relationships also provide access to other industry spaces served by the same institutions.
Admitted to Practice
- California State Bar, 1986 to present.
- New York State Bar, 1984 to present.
- Registered Lobbyist, California 2006 to present.
Education
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1983, Penn Law Review and Wharton Business School courses in finance and accounting.
- Harvard University (B.A. 1979) Magna cum laude, Economics.
- Phillips Academy, Andover, MA, 1975.
Professional Affiliations
- Beverly Hills Bar Association (Chair, Litigation Section (800 civil litigators); Board of Governors (2 terms).
- International Association Of Gaming Advisors (IAGA). Casino owners, CEOs, General Counsel (the largest membership) and investment bankers. Strategic Planning Committee.
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles County.
Activities & Honors
- United States Team. Captain, Masters Triathlon. Gold Medal, Cycling. Maccabiah Olympics, Israel July 2009.
- United States Team. Bronze Medal, Masters Triathlon. Maccabi Pan Am Games, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2007.
- Amateur Rugby. 20 years. Rugby Football Union teams in LA, NYC, Philadelphia and Boston.
Publications
- Stein and Gallaway, "Swapping Out Debt: Solving the Riddle of Debt-Asset Swaps And Triangular Deal Structures," Global Gaming Business Magazine (April 2009).
- Koenig and Stein, "Federalism and State Recognition of Native American Tribes: A Survey of State-Recognized Tribes and State Recognition Processes Across the US," 48-1 Santa Clara Law Review 79 (2008).
- Koenig and Stein, "Lost in Shuffle: State-Recognized Tribes and the Tribal Gaming Industry," 40-2 Univ. of San Francisco Law Review 327 (2006).