Leeran Kasis is an associate at Russ August & Kabat, where he is a member of the firm’s intellectual property, litigation, and mergers and acquisitions groups. Mr. Kasis has represented businesses and individuals in a wide variety of complex disputes, including in the areas of real estate, corporate governance, and business. Mr. Kasis previously practiced in the litigation department of Clark Hill. Mr. Kasis received his J.D. from UCLA School of Law. While in law school, he externed for the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
James N. Pickens is a partner in RAK’s patent litigation group. Mr. Pickens excels at trial advocacy. Mr. Pickens has performed the direct examinations for expert witnesses on patent infringement in five jury trials. Each jury returned a verdict of infringement, in favor of RAK’s clients:
- In 2022, Mr. Pickens assisted the RAK team in obtaining a jury verdict of patent infringement against Google LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Google LLC, No. 6:20-cv-00075 (W.D. Tex.).
- In 2023, Mr. Pickens assisted the RAK team in obtaining a jury verdict of patent infringement against ecobee Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Ecobee Inc., No. 6:21-cv-00428 (W.D. Tex.).
- In 2016, Mr. Pickens assisted the RAK team in obtaining a jury verdict of willful patent infringement, representing the plaintiff in Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l. v. LG Electronics, Inc. et. al. (E.D. Tex.).
- Also in 2016, Mr. Pickens assisted the RAK team in obtaining a verdict of patent infringement against Apple, Inc. in the Northern District of California in Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l. v. Apple, Inc. (N.D. Cal.). In 2017, Mr. Pickens assisted the RAK team in obtaining a verdict of patent infringement with respect to data compression technology protected by U.S. Patent No. 8,643,513 in Realtime Data LLC d/b/a IXO v. Riverbed Technology, Inc. (E.D. Tex.).
Mr. Pickens was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2024 – 2025 Editions) for Litigation – Intellectual Property.
Prior to joining Russ August & Kabat, Mr. Pickens was an attorney at Reed Smith LLP in the firm’s Complex Litigation Group. He has experience drafting and negotiating agreements on behalf of clients in the media, entertainment, and real estate industries, including clients specializing in virtual reality and augmented reality applications. He also has experience arbitrating motion picture distribution fee disputes and negotiating the acquisition of an entertainment company.
Mr. Pickens earned his law degree from UCLA School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif (i.e., in the top 10% of his Class) and as a Fred & Mary Leydorf Scholar. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors society and graduated magna cum laude.
Matthew Aichele is a partner at Russ August & Kabat, specializing in intellectual property litigation with an emphasis on matters before the United States International Trade Commission. Prior to joining Russ August & Kabat, Mr. Aichele was an attorney with Latham & Watkins LLP, where he was a member of the Intellectual Property group.
Mr. Aichele has significant experience counselling clients through patent infringement actions before the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and in federal district courts. Mr. Aichele has represented complainants, respondents, and third-parties in a number of ITC investigations, including through trial and post-trial Commission review. Mr. Aichele has also participated in consultations with US Customs and Border Protection regarding enforcement of ITC exclusion orders. Mr. Aichele also has significant experience litigating patent infringement actions in federal district courts. Mr. Aichele has been recognized a Rising Star in Washington, D.C. by Super Lawyers (2017-2019).
Mr. Aichele earned his law degree cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center. During law school, Mr. Aichele worked as a patent agent at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP. Mr. Aichele earned his Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004, where he worked as a senior reactor operator in MIT’s Nuclear Reactor Laboratory.
Admitted
- State Bar of Virginia (2009)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2005)
Recent Matters
- NVIDIA v. Samsung—represented NVIDIA in a series of matters before the United States International Trade Commission and the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.*
- InterDigital v. Nokia, ZTE, Huawei—represented InterDigital in a series of matters regarding mobile devices before the United States International Trade Commission and District Court for the District of Delaware.*
- Cisco v. Arista—represented Arista in defending against patent infringement allegations before the United States International Trade Commission and Customs and Border Protection.*
- 3M v. Amphenol—represented Amphenol in defending against patent infringement allegations regarding its cable technology before the United States International Trade Commission.*
- Intellectual Ventures v. Honda et. al—represented Honda in defending against patent infringement allegations regarding motor technology before the United States International Trade Commission.*
*Represents experience from a previous law firm.
James Tsuei is a partner at Russ August & Kabat, where he specializes in intellectual property litigation.
In his practice, James has represented clients in patent litigation, trade secret matters, and complex business disputes involving a wide range of technologies and products, including from smartphones and OLED displays to database management software and data compression. He has significant experience litigating at every stage of litigation, including in Federal and state court, as well as before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Prior to joining Russ August & Kabat, James was an attorney at Durie Tangri LLP from 2015 to 2018 and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP from 2012 to 2015. James graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he served as the Research Editor for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, was awarded the school’s Distinguished Service Award for his pro bono work, and was a finalist in the Edwin R. Keedy Moot Court competition. He was selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2016-2018 and 2020-2024.
Bennett Bigman is a partner at Russ August & Kabat. He is a member of the Media & Entertainment and Litigation & Trial groups. His practice focuses on all aspects of the entertainment industry, representing clients in the film, television and music industries in matters involving accounting and profit participation claims, copyright and trademark disputes, right of publicity, idea submissions, breach of contract, defamation, employment and insurance. He is particularly experienced in intellectual property disputes involving copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unfair competition and trade secret litigation, and licensing disputes. Bennett has brought countless claims on behalf of his clients against companies that were self-dealing on licensing fees and a variety of other revenue streams.
Bennett represents actors, directors, writers, producers, musical artists, production companies, agents, managers, company executives, distributors, post-production companies and video game companies. He also regularly counsels companies and individuals regarding the enforcement and licensing of their intellectual property assets.
Bennett has extensive experience in civil litigation in state and federal courts, as well as in various arbitration tribunals. He also represents individuals and corporations in various business disputes and general corporate matters, as well as in employment, real estate and insurance coverage disputes. Bennett takes a pragmatic, strategic approach to get the best results for his clients.
Bennett is a frequent commentator on copyright and intellectual property issues and is often quoted in publications, including:
- “The Late Charles Bukowski Still Raising a Ruckus,” Courthouse News Service, April 26, 2017
- “Anticipated Led Zeppelin Trial Starts Tuesday”, Daily Journal, June 10, 2016
- “Library Ruling A Good Sign For Google In Next Book Case,” Law360, June 12, 2014
- “With ‘Raging Bull,’ High Court Can Fix Laches Circuit Split,” Law360, October 1, 2013
- “Legendary Denied Arbitration in ‘Godzilla’ Producers Suit,” Law360, May 10, 2013
- “Legal Landmark: Artists Start to Reclaim Rights to Their Music,” Variety, April 16, 2013
- “Producers In ‘Godzilla’ Fight Fire Back At Legendary Pictures,” Law360, January 17, 2013
Bennett was named to The Best Lawyers in America (2024 – 2025 Editions) for Litigation – Intellectual Property. He was recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer from 2006-2007 and from 2009-2025 by the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine. Bennett was honored in Variety’s 2024 and 2025 Legal Impact Report. He is included as a Recognized Practitioner by Chambers USA, in Media and Entertainment: Litigation.
Recent Matters
- Century of Progress, Inc., et al. v. Studiocanal, et al.: Representation of the co-creators of the iconic “mockumentary” film This Is Spinal Tap in an action involving the creators’ profit participation and rights ownership. The case involved complicated accounting issues as well as cutting-edge legal issues regarding co-creators’ rights to terminate their copyright grants and regain ownership of their trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
- Riggle v. Riggle: Representation of actor Rob Riggle as plaintiff in an action asserting claims for invasion of privacy and related statutory violations.
- SAS Black Sparrow v. AMBI Distribution: Representation of motion picture producer/financier in an action to recover amounts invested in an independent film.
- Representation of music industry icon Scott (“Scooter”) Braun, his companies and business manager in an arbitration involving an investment firm that the respondent was hired to manage. The case involves claims for, among others, breach of contract, fraud, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Representation of Trancas International Films, producers of the highly successful Halloween motion picture franchise, in connection with contractual and profit participation issues.
- Representation of Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc., in connection with U.S. projects, including the television series American Ninja Warrior.
- Kylin Pictures adv. Treehouse Films, et al. – Representation of international film company in breach of contract action brought by actor Kevin Costner regarding the motion picture Shanghai Sojourners
- Lin Pictures, et al. adv. Legendary Pictures: Representation of well-known producers in an action involving a major theatrical release, including a successful result on Legendary’s appeal of an order denying arbitration
Bennett has represented:
- Numerous well-known Hollywood producers, directors, writers and actors in profit participation disputes
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Authors and screenwriters whose works have become some of the most famous motion pictures and television series of all time in connection with complex rights analyses and copyright termination issues
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Actors and managers in commission disputes that were successfully resolved prior to litigation
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Producer of a popular cable television series in connection with defamation and privacy issues
- A leading post-production company in a copyright infringement action and other intellectual property and employment disputes
- A major advertising agency in a federal action involving the use of an image in an advertising campaign – won a defense verdict at trial
- A distributor of motion picture camera equipment in a dispute with a manufacturer
- Professional athletes in disputes with former agents
- A successful producer in disputes concerning the format of a popular television show and other intellectual property rights
- The heir of a Broadway composer in a case involving copyright termination issues
- An independent film producer in a copyright infringement action involving a famous novel
- A high-level entertainment executive in connection with a complex employment dispute
- Business owners in an arbitration involving commercial and real estate issues
- High-profile individuals in obtaining retractions from online and print entertainment media
Articles/Publications
- “U.S. Copyright Office weighs in on protection of AI-generated works”, Los Angeles Daily Journal (February 28, 2023)
- “Warhol, Prince and the future of copyright,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (October 06, 2022)
- “The Details are in the Devil in this Copyright Lawsuit,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (November 13, 2018)
- “Down the Stairway to Heaven, and into District Court,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (October 08, 2018)
- “One last swing at Google Books project,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (January 12, 2016)
- “Google Books decision is logical evolution of law,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (November 2, 2015)
- Co-author of the mock trial “screenplay” for the 2006 ABA Litigation Section meeting involving entertainment litigation
