Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
17 Client Reviews
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Stephen Charles McArthur
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About Stephen
Biography
Stephen McArthur is an accomplished attorney focusing on video game law with extensive experience representing clients whose games have achieved global success, amassing billions of downloads and ranking as the top mobile apps in dozens of countries. Before founding The McArthur Law Firm, Stephen practiced at renowned firms Cravath, Swaine & Moore in NYC and Irell & Manella in LA, where he worked with clients like Blackberry and Rovio on intricate intellectual property issues. He was also part of a landmark patent portfolio sale valued at $4.5 billion. Currently, Stephen focuses on guiding clients through trademark and copyright challenges in the gaming industry, ensuring their brands are vigorously protected. Stephen's memberships and accolades include the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), multiple "Super Lawyers" Rising Star honors, and top ratings from Martindale Hubbell and Avvo. An alumnus of Columbia University School of Law, Stephen was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and Managing Editor of the Journal of Law and Social Problems.
Handling All Trademark and Copyright Matters For Tech Companies, App Developers, and Game Developers
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Copyright Application
20%
Copyright Infringement
20%
Intellectual Property
20%
11 years
Trademark Application
20%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 500-600 per hour
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2025 2015
Licenses
Licensed in California for 14 years
State: California
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 17 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Location
The McArthur Intellectual Property Law Firm
(323) 639-4455
Fax
8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Beverly Hills, CA, 90211
smcarthurlaw.com/Gallery
Stephen Charles McArthur's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 16 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jason | August 29, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A (Law)suit of armor
Look, I'm not a $500 million dollar gaming behemoth. I'm some guy who started a business. My revenues? Fine. My influence? Middling, perhaps. So in general, going with a powerful legal team seemed to be...beyond me, somehow, at least in my immediate future. It just seemed like something only massive ...
Posted by Price Johnson | August 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Invaluable IP attorney for our board game company
Stephen and the McArthur team have been invaluable over the years helping us secure desired and needed trademark registrations in multiple regions and advising on multiple compliance needs. They are responsive, professional, and take the time to stay intimately informed on our industry’s landscape. W...
Posted by John | August 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
THE Game Lawyer
Ive been working with Stephen for a few years now. He was quickly able to get my company's IP protected and put numerous safeguards in place while also explaining things to look out for and best practices. I've also had the pleasure of seeing Stephen speak at game development panels on various leg...
Posted by AM | August 2, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Tenacious, principled, successful. Highly recommend.
Tenacious, principled, successful. Highly recommend. Stephen and his team took on a small set of defensible but complex litigations against large companies. Over the span of three years, my business and I benefitted from Stephen's deep trademark knowledge, tenacity, and rather incredible ability to...
Posted by Peggy | August 1, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
When you need a David for your Goliath.
I had a labor case against one of the largest corporations in the world. I am the owner of a finance and accounting firm in the film and television industry. They refused to pay for services rendered despite written agreement. Stephen and his team were not intimidated. They handled my case expeditiou...
Stephen Charles McArthur's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known and worked with Stephen for many years, and believe him to be an excellent IP attorney. He is very intelligent and works efficiently, and he is especially knowledgeable in areas of copyright and patent law."
"One of the absolute best. Exceptional attention to detail, service next to none. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Stephen is an excellent attorney committed to providing the highest quality representation to clients. I endorse this attorney without reservation."
".I endorse this attorney, whose reputation and credentials speak for themselves."
"Attorney McArthur brings a high level of professionalism, superb attention to detail and extensive legal experience to each of his clients. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is brilliant and has a lot of knowledge about Video Game Law."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Attorney McArthur's publications and online resources have provided excellent information in the areas of Copyright Law and Intellectual Property. I highly recommend Attorney McArthur on these matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steplhen is sharp and I endorse him highly for game developers and software companies looking for the right intellectual property and copyright lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. A great advocate and fights for his clients in court."
"Very savvy, very good writer, and very experienced in video game law. I endorse Attorney McArthur."
"Stephen is a Great Lawyer I endorse him"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer as an expert in his field. His publications are well-respected in the community and immensely helpful to other attorneys."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. McArthur is knowledgeable, ethical, diligent, and smart. He is a great attorney to have on your side. I endorse Mr. McArthur."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Columbia Law School
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Principal, The McArthur Law Firm
2013 - 2014
Attorney, Stubbs Alderton & Markiles
2010 - 2013
Attorney, Irell & Manella
2007 - 2010
Attorney, Cravath Swaine & Moore
2006 - 2006
Extern to Magistrate Judge, Judicial Clerkship
2005 - 2005
Summer Associate, Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP
2005 - 2005
Summer Associate, Gardere Wynne Sewell
Associations
2014 - Present
International Association of Privacy ProfessionalsMember
2013 - Present
Los Angeles Copyright SocietyMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Big Duck Games v. ThinkCube
Pending
Education
2007
Columbia University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
University of Texas System, Austin
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Intellectual Property Law
Copyright law in videogames at USC law school
Publications
2014
Gamasutra: The Art & Business of Making Games
Right of Publicity in Video Games - How You Can Legally Include a Celebrity in Your Game
2014
Gamasutra: The Art & Business of Making Games
How to Beat a YouTube ContentID Copyright Claim – What every Gamer and MCN Should Know
2013
Gamasutra: The Art & Business of Making Games
Clone Wars: The Five Most Important Cases Every Game Developer Should Know
2013
2013
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What would be the cost to have a lawyer on retainer to send C&D notices and other "nasty-grams" to "web" copyright infringers .
07 Mar 2015
Q&A
I am looking to start a business with the word "muggle" in the name. With copyrights & trademarks I'm so confused. Is this ok?
27 Feb 2015