Nima H. Mohebbi

NIMA MOHEBBI is a recognized trial lawyer with a focus on complex commercial litigation, known for his steady leadership in high-intensity situations. Crisis management is a central element of his practice—Nima is often called upon to guide clients through urgent, high-stakes matters where swift, strategic action is essential. Whether facing regulatory challenges, reputational issues, or major disputes, clients rely on his calm and solutions-oriented approach.

Nima’s practice spans entertainment, sports, gaming, and technology, including intellectual property and artificial intelligence (AI). He represents Fortune 100 companies, innovators, sports franchises, studios, artists, and athletes in high-stakes disputes and transactions—including several high-profile jury trials involving billions of dollars. He is also recognized as a thought leader on AI implementation and counsels leading technology and entertainment companies on complex AI and content issues.

Recognizing his commitment in helping clients navigate complex legal challenges, Nima was named to the California Daily Journal “40 under 40” list in 2023. He previously served as a law clerk to Judge Jerome A. Holmes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Litigation and Trials

• Chess.com in beating back defamation claims brought in New Jersey state court by grandmaster Brandon Jacobson after the site closed his account for violating its Fair Play Policy.
• Chess.com in high-profile defamation and antitrust suit regarding cheating allegations; won complete dismissal in federal court and helped lead multi-faceted public relations campaign.
• MLS team in confidential arbitration with minority owner over stadium rights and intellectual property.
• Omnicom subsidiary Mercury Public Affairs in highly publicized dispute with former partners operating in the public affairs space; settled favorably.
• Joint BVI Liquidators of Three Arrows Capital, a prominent crypto hedge fund with billions of dollars in assets previously under management; helped secure significant value to the liquidation, including through Chapter 15 litigation against major crypto funds.
• Leading plant-based meat company in long-running trade secret dispute with co-manufacturer; resolved favorably at trial.
• Fortune 100 food company as plaintiff in New York federal litigation regarding multi-billion-dollar M&A deal; defeated summary judgment and obtained significant settlement.
• Prominent media and entertainment company in high-stakes confidential arbitration over more than US$300 million in commercial assets; obtained complete victory and attorneys’ fees award for client.
• Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates, against trade secret and fraud claims seeking more than US$1.6 billion in damages; obtained a complete defense verdict in a three-week federal jury trial; verdict affirmed on appeal.
• Co-founders of a major online fashion brand in a six-week jury trial in LA Superior Court, against another co-founder, on causes of action for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, conversion, constructive trust, and breach of contract — the 12-person jury awarded clients US$36.6 million in compensatory and punitive damages and resolved key and heavily contested ownership and control disputes in favor of the clients.
• Time Warner Cable in a month-long federal jury trial involving patent infringement claims by Sprint seeking several hundred million in damages; defeated Sprint’s request for more than US$300 million in treble damages.
• Simon Property Group and The Macerich Company in a major breach of contract dispute with the City of Carson over a half-billion dollar redevelopment project.
• Large group of lenders in complex commercial action to recover more than €1.8 billion in PIK debt against the world’s largest lead producer; obtained settlement on favorable terms.
• Digital asset production company and Grammy-winning DJ in dispute involving music festival.
• Grammy-winning music icon in several litigation matters, including defense of Copyright-infringement claims.

Crisis Management

• Counsel to leading athletes and renowned entertainers, providing rapid-response guidance on sensitive, high-stakes matters—including media strategy and reputation management during times of crisis.
• Strategic advisor to companies on safeguarding board and executive leadership, developing tailored approaches to protect decision-making processes at the highest levels.
• Lead internal investigations for clients, including fast-growing startups, with a focus on intellectual property protection and risk mitigation.

Entertainment, Technology, and Digital Content Counseling

• Chess.com in a multiyear partnership agreement with the Esports World Cup Foundation, the organizer of the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), an affiliate of the Saudia Arabia Public Investment Fund.
• Multiple major technology companies on AI legal strategy.
• The Chainsmokers in a first-of-its-kind NFT release tied to album streaming royalties.
• Several celebrity entertainers and athletes in commercial and regulatory matters.
• Prominent NFL athlete on AI issues.
• OpenSea in its acquisition of Dharma Labs.
• Major NFT minter in formulating significant sports and media deal.
• NFT-minting platform in M&A and trade secret dispute.
• Several DAOs in providing regulatory and dispute-resolution advice.
• Atomic Fiction VFX in a sell-side M&A transaction.
• Netflix in its digital and visual effects production.
• RodeoFX in digital and content creation work.
• Well-known e-commerce beauty company on multiple intellectual property, distribution, and internet privacy matters.
• One of the largest virtual private network (VPN) companies in the world in regulatory and dispute advice.

Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

• Member, California State Bar, Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct
• Chair, Working Group on Legal AI Regulation, California State Bar Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct
• Member, Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section