Trent Copeland

  • Partner
  • Los Angeles
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Trent Copeland is a Partner at Ellis George LLP. He is a first chair trial lawyer having successfully handled over sixty trials and arbitrations in various venues throughout the state. He excels in high stakes civil and business litigation. As a result of his impressive track record, Trent has been recognized as being among the “500 Leading Lawyers in America” by Lawdragon. He is regarded as a go-to lawyer for high-profile matters, particularly where legal acumen, courtroom competence and intense media interest intertwine.

Trent is the rare trial attorney who practices adeptly in both civil and criminal litigation. Trent  successfully represented a Muslim college professor who had been wrongfully targeted by the FBI under one of the first uses of the Patriot Act against a U.S. citizen engaging in protected speech. After numerous proffers and an oral presentation by Trent, the Government withdrew its case against her, and she was restored to her teaching position at a California university. Trent has also represented and provided legal counsel to numerous celebrities, including Jean Claude Van Damme, Matt LeBlanc, Tracey Edmonds, Shannen Doherty, TMZ Co-founder Jim Paratore and numerous other entertainment professionals. Recently, Trent also successfully handled a major dispute directly involving international music star Justin Bieber where he negotiated a substantial seven-figure settlement of the claims.

As lead counsel, Trent took over the high-profile representation of Gary Franklin, who had been victimized by the criminal conduct of his former attorney, Michael Avenatti. Trent’s and his colleague Eric George’s representation of Mr. Franklin includes all matters associated with his civil interests in his well-documented role in the much-publicized NCAA basketball recruiting scandal.

Trent holds the distinction of being CBS News’ first African-American national on-camera legal news analyst where he served in that capacity for eight years. In his role as CBS News on-camera legal news analyst, he provided expert legal commentary on dozens of legal cases, including the Scott Peterson murder trial, the Michael Jackson molestation trial and the Kobe Bryant sexual assault hearings. Trent has also provided legal news analysis for CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Trent appeared numerous times as on-air legal analyst for legendary broadcaster Larry King’s show on CNN. Larry King publicly called Trent “one of the best attorneys and communicators in the country.” Trent has been interviewed on-camera by Katie Couric, Dan Rather and CNN’s Don Lemon, among others. He has been quoted in People Magazine, NY Daily News, and US Magazine.

Trent is featured regularly as one of “California’s Top 100 Lawyers” by the national publication, Best Attorneys of America, and he has been regularly selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Recent Representations

  • First chair trial lawyer in high-profile litigation involving former District Attorney Jackie Lacey and related civil claims arising out of her duties as District Attorney of Los Angeles County.
  • Lead trial lawyer on behalf of a Hollywood producer in claims for breach of contract and fraud resulting in a jury finding on behalf of client.
  • Represents a leading global investment management firm as co-lead defense counsel in several multimillion dollar employment discrimination claims brought by C-suite level employees.
  • Led the representation of a high-profile news anchor in obtaining a confidential multi-million dollar resolution of claims of discrimination against a major television network.
  • Represented members of the family of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy as Amicus Counsel in opposing the parole of assassin, Sirhan Sirhan.
  • Represented a student in connection with the highly publicized college admissions cheating scandal.
  • Led representation of a member of President’s Coronavirus Task Force in connection with First Amendment issues related to his service as a Special Advisor to the President.
  • Represented two prominent African-American journalists against major TV network in claims related to employment discrimination.
  • Represented a Fox Television executive in an indictment filed by the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District, into potential violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The case resolved with probation.
  • Successfully represented an individual falsely accused of attempted murder in a high-profile case in San Bernardino, negotiating a dismissal of all charges on the eve of preliminary hearing. The case garnered local media coverage.
  • Represented an attorney being investigated for potential participation in a major narcotics distribution ring. The investigation was closed by the Department of Justice with no charges being brought against the attorney.

Practice Areas

  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment Discrimination
  • Entertainment
  • Defamation
  • First Amendment rights
  • Criminal Defense
  • Sexual Assault / Battery

Recognitions

Education

  • Dartmouth College, A.B.
  • George Washington University Law School, J.D.

Bar Admissions

  • California
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