Hajir Ardebili is a partner in Skiermont Derby’s Los Angeles Office and an accomplished trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience litigating complex business, entertainment, media, and intellectual property disputes. His practice also includes high-stakes matters involving employment, securities, cryptocurrency, products liability, false advertising, and class actions, with clients spanning industries from film and television to technology, investment, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition.
Mr. Ardebili has a proven track record of success and is frequently able to achieve favorable outcomes early in the case. He has successfully defended major entertainment companies against “idea theft” lawsuits; won summary judgment on behalf of a company that provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to the State of California during the COVID-19 pandemic; negotiated the voluntary dismissal of a highway products supplier from a products liability action after filing a demurrer to the plaintiff’s complaint; and secured a settlement for a former Chief Medical Director in her whistleblower retaliation and gender discrimination suit against a medical spa before any discovery or depositions were taken.
Clients rely on Mr. Ardebili for his strategic insight, creative problem-solving, and exceptional written and oral advocacy. He is known for developing and executing case strategies that achieve his clients’ business objectives in their most critical legal matters. He has been named a Southern California “Super Lawyer” every year since 2016 and was previously recognized as a “Rising Star” from 2009 to 2015—distinctions awarded to the top lawyers in the region.
Mr. Ardebili is also active in the legal community. He served as President of the Iranian American Lawyers Association (IALA) in 2015–2016, during which he expanded the organization’s mentorship and public service initiatives. He has served as outside pro bono counsel for the Youth Law Center, advocating for children in the foster care system, and as a director of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League, a nonprofit supporting policy debate programs in local public high schools.
A frequent speaker and published author, Mr. Ardebili regularly addresses emerging legal issues at the intersection of law, media, and technology. His presentations and articles cover topics such as copyright in social media, online defamation liability, and First Amendment protections in entertainment programming.
Mr. Ardebili’s commitment to advocacy is rooted in his personal story. An Iranian-American who grew up in the American Midwest, he experienced discrimination early in life, which continues to fuel his resolve to seek justice on behalf of others. Hajir earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where he won the Jamison Prize for Scholarship and Advocacy and received awards for Best Oral Argument and Best Brief in Berkeley Law’s McBaine Honors Moot Court Competition. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, graduating with honors and sharpening his advocacy skills as a nationally ranked debater and President of the university’s debate team.
Before joining Skiermont Derby, Mr. Ardebili honed his skills as a litigator at other prominent firms, serving as Special Counsel at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and as a litigation associate at Greenberg Glusker, among other roles.
On behalf of company that provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to the State of California during the COVID-19 pandemic, won summary judgment and dismissal of the plaintiff’s complaint for breach of contract, fraud, and other claims, along with a significant award of attorneys’ fees and costs. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Defended a patent licensing company in a trade secrets action brought by a competing patent licensing entity, ultimately negotiating a favorable settlement on the client’s behalf. (Delaware Superior Court.)
For bankruptcy estate of augmented reality motorcycle helmet company, prosecuted claims for breach of fiduciary duty against former directors and investors, resulting in favorable settlement. (Delaware Chancery Court.)
Defended virtual reality (VR) software company against VR technology company’s claim for misappropriation of trade secrets. (American Arbitration Association.)
Represented former Chief Medical Director in her whistleblower retaliation and gender discrimination suit against medical spa, resulting in favorable settlement. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Pursued co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer’s claims for fraud and wrongful termination against commercial contracting software company and other co-founders, resulting in favorable settlement. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented former head coach in whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against private swim club, resulting in favorable settlement. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Secured voluntary dismissal of supplier of commercial highway products in products liability action following filing of demurrer to plaintiff’s complaint. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of auto insurance claims company in involuntary dissolution and breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit against the company and its other shareholders, resulting in favorable settlement. (San Diego Superior Court.)
Represented investor group in a securities fraud action against an investment firm, resulting in favorable settlement. (United States District Court, Northern District of California.)
Represented labor union in an employment discrimination lawsuit, second-chairing a six-week jury trial. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented international information technology company in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraud arising out of a contract for the development of a county property tax management system.(United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Represented global designer, marketer, and distributor of luxury lifestyle products in a copyright, breach of contract, and fraud action and three-week jury trial against a denim garment manufacturer. (United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Represented bond fund manager and other former employees of an investment management company in a lawsuit against their former employer, which resulted in a jury verdict of $67 million in the clients’ favor. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Representing film production company, secured the dismissal of an idea theft action concerning the motion picture Wedding Crashers, which dismissal was affirmed on appeal. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented film and television production company in a four-month arbitration and concurrent federal litigation concerning alleged breach of character license agreements, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, among other claims, regarding Classic Troll dolls. (American Arbitration Association and United States District Court.)
Represented television production and broadcasting companies in a copyright infringement action concerning the program Dark Blue. (United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Successfully represented commercial broadcast television network in an idea theft lawsuit arising from the television show LOST, the dismissal of which was affirmed on appeal. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented media/marketing company in a First Amendment challenge to an ordinance restricting the placement of supergraphic signs on the exterior of the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, securing a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the ordinance at issue, which led to its repeal. (United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Represented commercial broadcast television network in applying for temporary restraining order and obtaining defendant’s agreement to refrain from publication of calendar featuring nude models in connection with Italian version of American television program, America’s Next Top Model. (United States District Court, Central District of California).
Represented health and fitness company and company’s founder in an employment, breach of contract, and fraud action against a former member of the company. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented a collector of vintage automobiles against a restoration company in a breach of contract, conversion, and fraud case, first-chairing a jury trial and securing a verdict and award of damages in favor of the collector. (Orange County Superior Court.)
Panelist, #Fail: Legal Pitfalls of Social Media, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Sept. 14, 2017.
The Internet Is Not a Consequence-Free Zone: Addressing Copyright Infringement in Social Media, Law Journal Newsletters, Aug. 2016, co-author.
Featured Speaker, Handshakes and Hand Grenades: Are Your “Private” Communications Really Privileged, National Conference of the Iranian American Bar Association, Costa Mesa, CA, Sept. 20, 2015.
Interview panelist, HuffPost Live segment discussing actor James Woods’ defamation lawsuit against an anonymous Twitter user, Sept. 8, 2015.
Paying Homage or Literary Larceny: Sharpening the Blurred Lines Between Inspiration and Infringement, Communications Lawyer, Summer 2015.
5 Tips for Tweeting Without Getting Sued for Defamation, Corporate Counsel, Feb. 3, 2015.
Interference With Contract Claims Concerning Copyrightable Subject Matter Are Likely Preempted In The Ninth Circuit, ELIPS Law Lab, April 2014, co-author.
Ninth Circuit Navigates Purple Haze Shrouding Damages Award in Hendrix Trademark Suit, MediaLawLetter, Feb. 2014.
All’s Fair in Love and Reality Television: First Amendment Protection of Casting in Entertainment Programming, ABA’s Communications Lawyer, July 2013, co-author.
Panelist, The Changing World of Contracting in Business Law, UC Davis Business Law Journal Symposium, Davis, CA, Feb. 23, 2012.
To Protect and to Serve: Police Defamation Suits Against California Citizens Who Report Officer Misconduct, Communications Lawyer, June 2011, co-author.
Selected to Southern California’s “Rising Stars,” 2009–2015
Selected to Southern California’s “Super Lawyers,” 2016–present
Iranian American Lawyers Association, former President, President-Elect, and Director
Media Law Resource Center, former member, Litigation Committee
Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League, former Director
Youth Law Center, former pro bono outside counsel
Education
University of California, Berkeley School of Law
Associate Editor, Berkeley Technology Law Journal
Features Editor, Cross-Examiner
Best Oral Argument and Best Petitioner Brief, McBaine Honors Moot Court Competition
Jamison Prize for Scholarship and Advocacy
Prosser Prize, Civil Trial Practice
University of Kansas
B.A., with honors, Political Science and American Studies
University Debate Team (President 1997-98; Vice-President; 1996-97)
Phi Beta Kappa
Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honors Society
Golden Key Academic Honor Society
Bar & Court Admissions
State Bar of California
U.S. Courts of Appeals
Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Courts
Northern District of California
Central District of California
Southern District of California
On behalf of company that provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to the State of California during the COVID-19 pandemic, won summary judgment and dismissal of the plaintiff’s complaint for breach of contract, fraud, and other claims, along with a significant award of attorneys’ fees and costs. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Defended a patent licensing company in a trade secrets action brought by a competing patent licensing entity, ultimately negotiating a favorable settlement on the client’s behalf. (Delaware Superior Court.)
For bankruptcy estate of augmented reality motorcycle helmet company, prosecuted claims for breach of fiduciary duty against former directors and investors, resulting in favorable settlement. (Delaware Chancery Court.)
Defended virtual reality (VR) software company against VR technology company’s claim for misappropriation of trade secrets. (American Arbitration Association.)
Represented former Chief Medical Director in her whistleblower retaliation and gender discrimination suit against medical spa, resulting in favorable settlement. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Pursued co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer’s claims for fraud and wrongful termination against commercial contracting software company and other co-founders, resulting in favorable settlement. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented former head coach in whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against private swim club, resulting in favorable settlement. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Secured voluntary dismissal of supplier of commercial highway products in products liability action following filing of demurrer to plaintiff’s complaint. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of auto insurance claims company in involuntary dissolution and breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit against the company and its other shareholders, resulting in favorable settlement. (San Diego Superior Court.)
Represented investor group in a securities fraud action against an investment firm, resulting in favorable settlement. (United States District Court, Northern District of California.)
Represented labor union in an employment discrimination lawsuit, second-chairing a six-week jury trial. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented international information technology company in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and fraud arising out of a contract for the development of a county property tax management system.(United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Represented global designer, marketer, and distributor of luxury lifestyle products in a copyright, breach of contract, and fraud action and three-week jury trial against a denim garment manufacturer. (United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Represented bond fund manager and other former employees of an investment management company in a lawsuit against their former employer, which resulted in a jury verdict of $67 million in the clients’ favor. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Representing film production company, secured the dismissal of an idea theft action concerning the motion picture Wedding Crashers, which dismissal was affirmed on appeal. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented film and television production company in a four-month arbitration and concurrent federal litigation concerning alleged breach of character license agreements, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, among other claims, regarding Classic Troll dolls. (American Arbitration Association and United States District Court.)
Represented television production and broadcasting companies in a copyright infringement action concerning the program Dark Blue. (United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Successfully represented commercial broadcast television network in an idea theft lawsuit arising from the television show LOST, the dismissal of which was affirmed on appeal. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented media/marketing company in a First Amendment challenge to an ordinance restricting the placement of supergraphic signs on the exterior of the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, securing a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the ordinance at issue, which led to its repeal. (United States District Court, Central District of California.)
Represented commercial broadcast television network in applying for temporary restraining order and obtaining defendant’s agreement to refrain from publication of calendar featuring nude models in connection with Italian version of American television program, America’s Next Top Model. (United States District Court, Central District of California).
Represented health and fitness company and company’s founder in an employment, breach of contract, and fraud action against a former member of the company. (Los Angeles Superior Court.)
Represented a collector of vintage automobiles against a restoration company in a breach of contract, conversion, and fraud case, first-chairing a jury trial and securing a verdict and award of damages in favor of the collector. (Orange County Superior Court.)
Panelist, #Fail: Legal Pitfalls of Social Media, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Sept. 14, 2017.
The Internet Is Not a Consequence-Free Zone: Addressing Copyright Infringement in Social Media, Law Journal Newsletters, Aug. 2016, co-author.
Featured Speaker, Handshakes and Hand Grenades: Are Your “Private” Communications Really Privileged, National Conference of the Iranian American Bar Association, Costa Mesa, CA, Sept. 20, 2015.
Interview panelist, HuffPost Live segment discussing actor James Woods’ defamation lawsuit against an anonymous Twitter user, Sept. 8, 2015.
Paying Homage or Literary Larceny: Sharpening the Blurred Lines Between Inspiration and Infringement, Communications Lawyer, Summer 2015.
5 Tips for Tweeting Without Getting Sued for Defamation, Corporate Counsel, Feb. 3, 2015.
Interference With Contract Claims Concerning Copyrightable Subject Matter Are Likely Preempted In The Ninth Circuit, ELIPS Law Lab, April 2014, co-author.
Ninth Circuit Navigates Purple Haze Shrouding Damages Award in Hendrix Trademark Suit, MediaLawLetter, Feb. 2014.
All’s Fair in Love and Reality Television: First Amendment Protection of Casting in Entertainment Programming, ABA’s Communications Lawyer, July 2013, co-author.
Panelist, The Changing World of Contracting in Business Law, UC Davis Business Law Journal Symposium, Davis, CA, Feb. 23, 2012.
To Protect and to Serve: Police Defamation Suits Against California Citizens Who Report Officer Misconduct, Communications Lawyer, June 2011, co-author.
Selected to Southern California’s “Rising Stars,” 2009–2015
Selected to Southern California’s “Super Lawyers,” 2016–present
Iranian American Lawyers Association, former President, President-Elect, and Director
Media Law Resource Center, former member, Litigation Committee
Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League, former Director
