Jonathan Segal

Partner

Chair, Office DEI Committee (Los Angeles)

T 213.633.8667 Los Angeles
T 310.425.1000 Culver City
My key to a successful client relationship is managing expectations!
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Jonathan Segal is an attorney with a passion for digital and traditional media, who has worked on award-winning productions in film, television, and the interactive space. His practice naturally focuses on intellectual property, communications, First Amendment, and other issues that affect the companies and technologies that make what we watch, amuse and delight us, and inform all of our worldviews. Jonathan fights for content creators if things go awry, defending against the full array of claims that arise from content production and distribution.

Accordingly, clients retain him to focus on high-risk content including docudramas ("Spotlight," "The Looming Tower"); docuseries ("Surviving R. Kelly," "Who Killed Tupac?"); documentaries ("13th," "Quincy"), and comedy/variety programs with heavy emphases on fair use ("@Midnight;" "The Joel McHale Show").

Jonathan believes in your work. He helps content creators get their creative vision onto the screen, while minimizing legal risk. He’s provided counseling for feature films and for programming produced or distributed by HBO, Legendary Television, Netflix, Seeso, Funny or Die, CNBC, E!, USA Networks, AETN, ABC, Comedy Central, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Participant Media, MTV, VH1, Adult Swim, IFC, TruTV, Showtime Networks, PBS, Discovery Communications, SuperDeluxe, Crackle, and YouTube, with an emphasis on programming with intensive social-media engagement, documentaries, and content that is based on true events. He also advises print publications, including US Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter.

Practice Highlights

Defending content creators

Defending producers of scripted and unscripted content from claims arising from their content. Recently, he's obtained dismissal of a Right of Publicity claim related to the character played by Tom Cruise in "American Made," and obtained complete victory and attorneys' fees in a negligence lawsuit filed against Viacom by the rapper Jayceon Taylor ("The Game") related to casting on the unscripted television series "She's Got Game."

Docudramas and biopics

Helping writers and producers find the tricky balance between fact and fiction demanded for production of a compelling docudrama is rewarding. Jon has worked on numerous projects inspired by or based on true stories including "Spotlight," "The Looming Tower," "The Green Book," "I'm Dying Up Here," and "On The Basis of Sex."

Holding government accountable

Helping publications and journalists gain access to public records and court proceedings. Jon has sued to obtain classified memoranda about the CIA’s secret targeted-killing program, the confidential records about the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ coverup of child abuse, and government reports about police officers’ killing of an unarmed teenager.