Robert Ezra

Robert Ezra is a partner in our Los Angeles office and head of the firm’s Fashion Law Practice.  Over the course of his 40 year career he has earned the reputation as a leading lawyer in the apparel, fashion and textiles industry by assisting clients in critical decisions in all aspects of their business operations.   

Mr. Ezra gained practical industry knowledge as an accountant and loan officer to garment makers before he became an attorney.  As a loan officer with Manufacturers Bank in downtown Los Angeles in the early 1970s, he learned the entire manufacturing process from spinning yarn to retail delivery and every aspect in between. 

Mr. Ezra specializes in contractual claims, partnership disputes, unfair competition, intellectual property claims and business torts both within and outside the apparel industry.  He devises legally protective and creative resolutions in business conflicts and creates valuable opportunities for clients in the area of financing and business growth.  He also advises on copyright and trademark availability and enforcement, and licensing agreements.  

Additionally, Mr. Ezra has experience in:

• Litigation
• Labor and employment compliance
• Financing, letters of credit and factoring
• Establishing overseas manufacturing operations

Mr. Ezra is a Certified Business Mediator and was a member of the Los Angeles Superior Court Mediation Panel.  He is often quoted in fashion and apparel industry publications, and requested to share his expertise with a variety of fashion industry and business organizations.  He has been awarded an AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards, and he has been recognized for ten consecutive years on the Southern California Super Lawyers list (2007-2016), a designation bestowed on only the top 5% of lawyers in this region.

Professional & Community Involvement

Representative Clients and Matters

• Dismissal of high profile, alleged slave labor charges by the U.S. Department of Labor against a contracted supplier.  
• Successful defense of a privately held jeans maker, Z. Cavarrici, in a potentially costly trademark lawsuit. 
• Aggressive prosecution of trademark infringement on behalf of a denim maker. Ongoing counsel to various businesses in the review and evaluation of their Uniform Commercial Code forms, documentation and transactions. 
• Devised a profitable exit plan for the owner of a piece goods company that added substantial value to a maturing business. 
• Argued a malicious prosecution case before California Supreme Court that resulted in the court striking down the ability to sue for malicious prosecution in family law matters, a ruling that continues to stand. 
• Represented a businessman falsely accused of illegal activity before the California State Supreme Court.  The case resolved conflicting appellate rulings defining the rules of privilege. 
• Structured the sale of a food business pending eminent demise based on incarceration of owner operator, yielding monies for payment of IRS and creditor claims. 
• Successfully defended real property owner on lis pendens action brought by a credit card company. 
• Successfully defended sublimation printer from copyright and unfair competition claims. 
• Set up a network of professionals, including factors and suppliers, to help a start-up design company enter the market. 
• Called as an expert witness on cases involving secured transactions and has consulted on letter of credit matters. 
• Litigated and resolved shareholder disputes and Corporate dissolution action involving valuation of business and related real estate.
• Litigated money and warranty claims between foreign bedding supplier and U.S. manufacturer
• Litigated copyright infringement claim over fabric design.
• Represented client regarding issues of malicious prosecution resulting in an Appellate Court “Bright Line” decision in Family Law matters.
• Obtained financing for multiple clients for start-up and distressed companies.
• Successfully prosecuted claim for Directors’ breach of fiduciary duty.
• Successfully seized counterfeit trademarked goods resulting in cessation of further trademark violations.

Presentations & Publications

• Author | "Mediation: A Tale of Two Studies" | Apparel News | June 2014
• Author | "Fashion Dispute Resolution Makes Legal Disputes a Win-Win Proposition" | Apparel News | February 2014
• Author | "Early Neutral Evaluation" | Fashion Dispute Resolution | January 2014
• Author | "Basic Guide to Starting a Garment Business and Compliance" | January 2014
• Author | "How to Buy Prints Without Buying a Lawsuit" | Apparel News | September 2012

Media Coverage

• "Speaking Unique Language of Apparel Law and Finance" | San Fernando Valley Business Journal | April 2008