EXCLUSIVE: One of Hollywood’s most powerful law firms just snagged a bona fide zombie slayer.
Chad R. Fitzgerald has joined Greenberg Glusker as a partner in its Litigation Department.
The big move by the very well regarded Fitzgerald comes after almost two decades at the very well regarded Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP. Best known for his instrumental role successfully representing OG The Walking Dead showrunner Frank Darabont and CAA in an almost decade long profit participation battle with AMC that was settled in 2021 for $200 million, Fitzgerald has a bevy of industry clients, as well working in the fitness, gaming and toys markets.
While TWD case and the hard fought Bones behind-the-scenes bucks case against Fox and Disney captured a lot of ink for Fitzgerald the lawyer is actually most prolific in handling matters out of the courts and the public eye in settlements for his clients — a talent and trait much appreciated in town.
“Chad’s a worthy adversary, he’s smart, fair and always on top of his briefs,” a rival entertainment litigator told Deadline of Fitzgerald. While profit participation lawsuits made Fitzgerald’s bones (pun so intended), the lawyer has deep roots in the fields of vertical integration, and distribution litigation, which means, copyright, trademark and trade secrets, fraud, rights of privacy, and defamation, as well as keep up a schedule that includes teaching at the UCLA School of Law.
“Chad Fitzgerald is one of the most respected litigators in our town,” Greenberg Glusker Managing Partner Bob Baradaran said Monday. “We are excited to witness his continued growth in our firm as he provides invaluable experience to our clients in their complex disputes.” Volleying the love right back, Fitzgerald added of the 65-year old firm: “Greenberg Glusker has always been synonymous with top-tier entertainment practice. I am thrilled to continue my career and grow my practice at a firm so deeply woven into the entertainment industry and broader business landscape.”
Fitzgerald also sits on the Advisory Board for UCLA School of Law’s Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports Law.