Team Members 

 Stephen M. Doniger, Esq.

In almost 20 years of practice, Mr. Doniger has handled a wide range of business and civil disputes in both state and federal court. In addition to handling all aspects of litigation, he has successfully handled numerous writs and appeals. His current practice includes intellectual property protection, corporate governance, contract drafting and review, and large tort and injury cases. He has obtained numerous large copyright, trademark, media, and real estate verdicts, and has been victorious in state, federal, and appellate courts.

He has been profiled twice in the Daily Journal, which noted that he projects a thoughtful and ethical wisdom, particularly when it comes to practicing law. He has also been featured and quoted in many other articles on topics ranging from apparel industry practices to environmental law.

Mr. Doniger graduated from Brandeis University in 1992 with a double major in political science and philosophy, and a minor in international studies. In 1995 he obtained his law degree from the University of Southern California where he was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors program, externed for the Honorable Ronald S.W. Lew of the Federal Central District Court, interned for the District Attorney's Office in the Environmental Crimes Division, and was a California State Bar Environmental Law Section student writing competition winner.

Scott A. Burroughs, Esq.

In today’s fast-moving legal landscape, it is important to have an attorney who is creative, experienced, and efficient. Scott Burroughs is such an attorney.  He has litigated literally hundreds of copyright disputes – more than virtually any other attorney over the last five years – as well as matters pertaining to trademarks, breach of contract, employment, misuse of likeness, and publicity rights. His cases involve fashion, photography, scripted and reality programming, accessories, websites, novelty goods, jewelry, entertainment properties, hospitality, and home décor. 

Mr. Burroughs resolved his first million-dollar copyright case before his 30th birthday, and has since achieved numerous six and seven-figure verdicts and settlements. Indeed, he was trial counsel on all of the top three copyright verdicts in the Central District over the last two years (United Fabrics International v. Lane Bryant, et al., Case No. CV08-6865, LA Printex Industries, Inc. v. G&G Multitex, Inc., et al., Case No. CV-09-3812, Caribbean Blues, Inc. v. Target Corp., et al., Case No. CV10-3334). He also recently handled and successfully resolved a case involving ownership rights in one of the most popular internet series of all time.

Further, he has participated in multiple appeals to the Ninth Circuit concerning important cutting edge copyright law issues.  For example, in United Fabrics International, Inc. v. C&J Wear, Inc., (2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 1567 (January 26, 2011)), a copyright matter Mr. Burroughs briefed and argued, the Ninth Circuit reversed in full a district court summary judgment ruling. On remand, summary adjudication was granted in favor of Mr. Burroughs’ client. Mr. Burroughs has also participated in the briefing of three other pending Ninth Circuit appeals concerning important copyright issues.

Mr. Burroughs is passionately committed to ensuring that infringers do not profit from the misappropriation of protected works, and that artists get due credit and compensation for their work.  In 2005 Mr. Burroughs began prosecuting copyright infringement claims full time. The January 15, 2006 Los Angeles Times Business Section article entitled “Material Grievances” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Evelyn Iritani, which was an expose of fashion industry piracy, ends by stating that one of Mr. Burroughs’ clients “is doing good things for the industry. They’re saying, ‘You better respect trademarks, copyrights, and intellectual property or it’s going to cost you a pretty penny.’”

In addition to his work on the west coast, Mr. Burroughs presently directs litigation for firm clients in other jurisdictions including New York and Canada.  He also recently resolved a copyright case dealing with the unlawful use of an international filmmaker’s award-winning film footage that involved litigation in California, New York, and London. 

Mr. Burroughs also has a robust transactional practice that includes the negotiation and drafting of royalty agreements, licenses, intellectual property transfers, employment agreements, corporate documents, and work-for-hire deals.

Mr. Burroughs has lectured on copyright issues for California Lawyers for the Arts, and contributes to various websites that deal with copyright and art law issues. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Miramax Films, SFX Entertainment, and as a music journalist. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, San Diego and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California. He is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of California and the Central and Eastern Districts of the United States District Court.

 Regina Yeh, Esq.

Regina Yeh’s practice focuses on copyright, trademark, contract, media, business, and real estate law. She has successfully obtained court and jury verdicts in copyright and real estate trials. Her work in a case involving Facebook messaging was recognized as groundbreaking by a number of publications, including Forbes. Ms. Yeh graduated from UCLA in 2005 and obtained her law degree at University of California at Davis School of Law in 2009.  During law school, she served as a judicial extern for the Honorable R. Gary Klausner in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and at the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California. 

Prior to joining the Doniger / Burroughs team, she was a legal intern at Warner Music Group’s Rhino Entertainment division. She is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of California and the Central District of California.

Anthony Patchett, Esq.

Anthony Patchett drives the firm's environmental, tort, and personal injury cases. From 1967 to 1996, Mr. Patchett served at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, completing his service as the Assistant Head Deputy in charge of the Environmental Crimes/OSHA Division. As a prosecutor, Mr. Patchett tried over 80 jury trials with a 98% conviction rate. He has since returned to private practice representing plaintiffs and defendants in both criminal and civil matters, and has been appointed Special Assistant District Attorney on a number of matters, including heading a staff of four prosecutors, ten investigators, four law clerks, two auditors and two support staff in the well publicized Ad-Hoc Belmont Task Force investigation of the $225 million Belmont Learning Complex.

In addition to his private practice, he has served as an instructor for the California Air Resources Board, the California District Attorneys Association, and at the University of California Riverside. He also maintains his license as a private investigator. Mr. Patchett was born in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Elia, reside in Glendale and have two sons, Anthony and Brian.

Matthew DiNicola, Esq.

Matthew DiNicola specializes in transactional, business, and entertainment law. Mr. DiNicola previously served as an associate at Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, LLP, where he worked as an associate on large accounts with clients including national housewares chains and global gaming and hospitality companies. DiNicola brings with him extensive knowledge in drafting and negotiating multi-billion dollar agreements and a wealth of entertainment counseling knowledge. DiNicola specializes in advising start-up companies and counseling clients in connection with the development, production and distribution of entertainment projects as well as providing legal counsel to business owners through the financing, production and distribution of their projects. He also has considerable experience in a variety of complex corporate and real estate transactions.

DiNicola earned his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2004 and is licensed to practice in the State of California and the State of Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Vanderbilt University in 2000. Among his long list of impressive accolades, DiNicola earned a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, which is ranked as the top program of its kind in the nation. He is also the proud recipient of a Golden Gavel Award.

David R. Shein, Esq.

David Shein specializes in the enforcement of intellectual property rights for diverse clients throughout the United States. His practice also focuses on Plaintiff’s litigation, representing businesses and individuals in breach of contract matters, right of publicity claims, as well as personal injury suits. Mr. Shein brings with him practical knowledge from the music, television, and fashion industries, having had hands on experience in the creation, promotion, and dissemination of musical recordings and television shows.

Vivi C. Hoang, Esq.

Vivi Hoang comes to the firm after working in the apparel, internet, and jewelry industries. She is a graduate of UC Hastings School of Law and focuses her practice on transactional work and intellectual property litigation.