Edward A. Woods’ practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and entertainment litigation in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration. His practice includes representation of entrepreneurs, manufacturers, retail establishments, real estate developers and syndicators, entertainers, film production and distribution companies, lawyers and law firms.
Mr. Woods’ representative matters include the following—
- represented the trustees of a half billion dollar trust as defendants in a four week jury trial focused on whether the trust had breached its promissory note and security agreement with plaintiff (a private third-party company), in which a complete defense verdict was rendered. Plaintiff was seeking $400 million in damages.
- obtained a $60 million verdict in a partnership dissolution case involving one of the most successful and popular denim jeans companies in the country
- obtained a seven-figure verdict representing a nationally known designer and manufacturer of women’s handbags, belts and accessories against its importing agent
- represented a large law firm and name partners sued by another partner for pregnancy discrimination, through which, after a one-month trial, jury returned a defense verdict as to firm and all individuals
- obtained summary judgment on behalf of a major television producer and his wife who were sued for malicious prosecution
- represented a former ambassador and member of the peerage against real estate syndicators for misappropriation and diversion of investment, recovering the entire investment and attorneys’ fees
- defeated claims of the Federal Trade Commission and a large pharmaceutical company seeking to enjoin advertising and sale of over-the-counter products
- successfully represented the estate of Elvis Presley in establishing that the right of publicity survives an entertainer’s death
- successfully represented plaintiff in a legal malpractice action that settled for mid-eight figures
- defeated an injunction sought by a celebrated rap artist against the producer of a documentary film
- obtained a favorable settlement for Guess against K-Mart and others for trademark misappropriation
- currently serving as counsel for trustees of Mark Hughes Family Trust (created by the founder of Herbalife) in the largest probate litigation in Los Angeles.
Mr. Woods received his J.D. from UCLA in 1972, was a member of the UCLA Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. As an undergraduate, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and UCLA, receiving a B.A. in film from UCLA in 1968. In 1968 and 1969, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Libya.
Mr. Woods is listed in Southern California Super Lawyers (2004 – 2011) and as one of the Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation for 2010-2012. He is admitted to practice before all California courts, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.