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 or major disputes, clients frequently 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. His insights are frequently sought by national media and podcasts, and he is regularly cited by outlets including ESPN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CBS, NBC, the New York Post, and Techstrong.

Recognizing his commitment in helping clients navigate complex legal challenges, Nima has been named to the Los Angeles Times’ “Sports Business Visionaries” list in 2026, Variety's “Legal Impact Report” in 2026, and the California Daily Journal “40 under 40” list in 2023. He has been recommended by Legal 500 United States for Media and Entertainment: Litigation in 2026. Nima previously served as a law clerk to Judge Jerome A. Holmes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and to Judge Robert C. Chambers of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Litigation and Trials

• The Rose Bowl Operating Company and the City of Pasadena in high-profile contract action against UCLA in connection with UCLA Football’s lease at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
• Chess.com high-profile defamation suits involving Grandmasters, including the Hans Niemann/Magnus Carlsen cheating controversy; 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; obtained complete favorable resolution.
• Skydance in connection with royalty dispute cases.
• Excession, LLC (Elon Musk family office) in connection with high-profile antitrust litigation.
• Chelsea F.C. as lead counsel in defense of putative privacy class action.
• Multiple major talent agencies in connection with disputes (including fee tails) with talent and agency personnel.
• 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 and fraud — the 12-person jury awarded clients US$36.6 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
• 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 in a major contract dispute with the City of Carson over a half-billion dollar redevelopment project.
• Tom Brady in connection dispute on AI and name, image, and likeness issues.
• Grammy-winning music icon in several litigation matters, including defense of Copyright-infringement claims.
• Multiple artists, actors, athletes and celebrities in high-profile litigation.

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 and executives 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 on various strategic initiatives, including:
  • Its management team's investment from private equity firm CVC.
  • The beta launch of a brand-new gaming platform Gambit.com, a new gaming platform that brings Chess.com’s industry-leading approach to game-based learning to poker for the first time.
  • A multiyear partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to host and operate regional qualifiers and serve as the official competition platform for chess at the 2026 and 2028 Esports Nations Cup (ENC).
  • A multiyear partnership agreement with the Esports World Cup Foundation, the organizer of the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), an affiliate of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.
• Emirates Team New Zealand, America’s Cup Defender, in connection with agreement to launch the America’s Cup Partnership, an innovative venture that will operate the 38th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup and future editions of the event.
• Major shareholder in connection with sale of the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Best Celebrations, a sports media brand centered on memorable NFL touchdown celebrations, and its founder and creator, Quinn Slocum, in its acquisition by Animal Capital, a creator-first venture firm focused on building and scaling Gen Z brands.
• Several team owners of Big 3 Basketball in connection with league governance issues.
• The Chainsmokers in a first-of-its-kind NFT release tied to album streaming royalties.
• 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.

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

• Board Member, Bet Tzedek
• Advisor, If You Heard What I Heard
• 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