Neville L. Johnson

Neville L. Johnson
Born	1949
Education	University of California, Berkeley (BA) Southwestern Law School (JD)
Occupations	Attorney author
Employer	Jonhson & Johnson LLP

Neville L. Johnson (born 1949) is an American attorney specializing in entertainment and media law. ^[1] He is the senior partner and co-founder of Johnson & Johnson LLP, a boutique law firm based in Beverly Hills, California. Johnson is recognized for his expertise in handling high-profile cases, including the landmark privacy ruling in Sanders v. ABC. ^{[2] [3]} His achievements include recovering substantial amounts for artists and contributing to the development of privacy law in California. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Early life and education

Johnson graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School in 1975. ^{[4] [8] [9]}

Career

Early career

Johnson started his legal career handling matters related to The Beatles' catalog for Yoko Ono. The Los Angeles Times referred to him as "one of the most feared litigators in Hollywood" who "secured more than $350 million for actors, writers, and other clients he claims were deprived of their rightful share of royalties and profits." ^[5]

Johnson & Johnson LLP

In 2007, Johnson co-founded Johnson & Johnson LLP with managing partner Doug Johnson. The firm has since grown to include partner Dan Lifschitz, senior counsel Melissa Eubanks and Jeff Miles, and Of Counsel Aleeza Marashlian and Aleksandra Hilvert. Johnson & Johnson LLP is known for its litigation support in the entertainment industry. ^[10]

Notable cases

Sanders v. ABC

Johnson obtained a unanimous landmark privacy ruling from the California Supreme Court in Sanders v. ABC. ^{[6] [11]}

Anthony Pellicano case

He represented numerous victims of wiretapper Anthony Pellicano and obtained sanctions against a law firm that utilized Pellicano's services, affirmed in Gerbosi v. Gaims. ^{[12] [13]}

Class action lawsuits

Johnson has filed successful class action lawsuits against studios, record labels, and unions, resulting in the return of millions of dollars to artists. They include $15 million from the SAG-AFTRA Health Fund, $12.7 million from Sony Music, and $8 million from the AFM & SAG-AFTRA IPRD Fund. ^{[14] [15] [16] [17]}

Representative clients

Johnson has represented high-profile clients such as Bad Bunny, Sylvester Stallone, John Lennon, Buddy Holly, Michelle Phillips, Richard Dreyfuss, Mike Connors, Rick Nelson, P.F. Sloan, members of Earth, Wind & Fire, Mitch Ryder, Lloyd Price and others. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

Teaching

Johnson is also an adjunct professor of entertainment and media litigation at Southwestern Law School with his litigation partner Douglas L. Johnson. He has also moderated and taught panels and courses for legal associations, such as the Beverly Hills Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. ^{[21] [22]}

Admissions

• California Bar
• United States Supreme Court Bar ^{[23] [24]}

Personal life

Johnson is also a writer and musician. ^{[4] [25]}

Publications

His publications include:

• “Defamation and Invasion of Privacy in the Internet Age," Southwestern Journal of International Law (2019)
• “Trouble in Tinseltown," Los Angeles Daily Journal (April 23, 2019)
• “My Big Mouth," Los Angeles Daily Journal (March 29, 2019)
• “Entertainment Contracts with Minors in New York and California," NYSBA EASL Journal (2019)
• "The Musician's Business & Legal Guide" (5th Edition, 2017) ^{[26] [27]}

References

1. Duffy, Bill Donahue,Thom (2024-04-01). "Billboard's 2024 Top Music Lawyers Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
2. Richards, Robert D.; Calvert, Clay (2004-06-22). "Suing the media, supporting the First Amendment: the paradox of Neville Johnson and the battle for privacy". Albany Law Review. 67 (4): 1097–1137.
3. Peters, Jonathan. "What the lawyers who sue the press think of the press, and media law". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
4. "'Go-to' L.A. lawyer says Hollywood studios are shortchanging his clients". Los Angeles Times. 2015-06-23. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
5. T. H. R. Staff (2020-03-27). "Power Lawyers 2020: 7 of Hollywood's Legal Legends". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
6. "Sanders v. American Broadcasting Companies - 20 Cal.4th 907 S059692 - Thu, 06/24/1999 | California Supreme Court Resources". scocal.stanford.edu. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
7. Matthew Blake (2019-09-06). "Lawyer Up". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
8. https://www.superlawyers.com/articles/california/discovery-with-neville-l-johnson/
9. "044: The Pyramid of Success: Hollywood Power Lawyer, Neville Johnson - Betsy Pake". 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
10. "About".
11. "Sanders v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., 20 Cal.4th 907 | Casetext Search + Citator". casetext.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
12. "Gerbosi v. Gaims, 193 Cal.App.4th 435 | Casetext Search + Citator". casetext.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
13. Craig, Brenda (2015-07-12). "Meet the Lawyer Who's Fighting for Your Online Reputation". www.lawyersandsettlements.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
14. Maddaus, Gene (2023-04-10). "SAG-AFTRA Health Plan to Pay $15 Million to Resolve Ed Asner's Class Action Lawsuit". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
15. "Sony Music reaches $12.7m settlement in artist royalties suit brought by Rick Nelson estate". Music Business Worldwide. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
16. Donahue, Bill (2021-11-09). "Session Musicians Win Greenlight for $8M Royalty Fee Settlement With AFM, SAG-AFTRA". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
17. "Headline Legal News – Neville Johnson & Sag". insiderexclusive.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
18. Dillon, Nancy (2023-01-25). "Bad Bunny Reaches Preliminary Settlement Over Reggaeton Hit 'Safaera'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
19. Maddaus, Gene (2019-05-08). "Sylvester Stallone Settles 'Demolition Man' Profits Dispute". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
20. Dillon, Nancy (2023-01-25). "Bad Bunny Reaches Preliminary Settlement Over Reggaeton Hit 'Safaera'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
21. "Neville Johnson | Southwestern Law School". www.swlaw.edu. 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
22. Rushfield, Richard. "SCOOP: Attorney General Reassessing Golden Globes Deal". theankler.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
23. "Neville L. Johnson". www.advocatemagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
24. https://www.jjllplaw.com/neville-l-johnson
25. Beautiful, Family (2016-05-02). "The Art of Living Well". Family Beautiful. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
26. https://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Neville-L-Johnson?aid=2512698
27. Richards, Robert D.; Calvert, Clay (2003–2004). "Suing the Media, Supporting the First Amendment: The Paradox of Neville Johnson and the Battle for Privacy". Albany Law Review. 67: 1097.