Cooley Partner Again Named Among Hollywood’s Top Attorneys

Why It Matters

The recognition underscores the growing intersection of entertainment law and AI technology, signaling how major tech firms rely on top legal talent to navigate complex copyright disputes that could reshape content creation standards.

Key Takeaways

• Bobby Ghajar recognized by Variety for second consecutive year
• Ghajar secured partial summary judgment for Meta in AI copyright case
• Court ruled Meta’s Llama training was highly transformative, no market harm
• Ghajar leads Cooley’s defense of Midjourney against Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. lawsuit

Pulse Analysis

The entertainment industry is increasingly confronting the legal ramifications of artificial intelligence, and Bobby Ghajar’s recent accolades illustrate that trend. Variety’s Legal Impact Report, a barometer for legal influence in Hollywood, highlighted Ghajar’s role in a landmark case where Meta’s Llama AI was deemed "highly transformative" by a federal court. This ruling not only shields Meta from immediate liability but also sets a precedent for how copyrighted material can be used in machine‑learning training, potentially lowering barriers for tech innovators while preserving creators’ rights.

Beyond the Meta victory, Ghajar’s ongoing defense of Midjourney—a generative‑AI platform accused of infringing on iconic characters—places him at the forefront of a broader battle over AI‑generated content. The lawsuit, brought by Disney, Universal and Warner Bros., could determine whether AI tools must obtain explicit licenses for visual elements that echo protected works. A favorable outcome for Midjourney would signal greater flexibility for developers, encouraging rapid growth in AI creativity tools that the entertainment sector increasingly relies upon for visual effects, concept art, and marketing.

For Hollywood studios and tech companies alike, the legal strategies employed by Ghajar signal a shift toward proactive litigation and nuanced copyright arguments. As AI becomes integral to content production, firms are likely to invest more heavily in specialized counsel capable of navigating both traditional entertainment law and emerging technology disputes. This dynamic not only influences settlement structures and licensing models but also shapes the competitive landscape, where legal foresight can become a decisive advantage in securing market share and protecting intellectual property.