Ken Sterling's profile

    Ken Sterling

    Top rated Media & Advertising attorney in Los Angeles, California

    Education Qualification:

    University of Southern California Gould School of Law

    Practice Areas:

    Employment & labor,

    Estate planning & probate,

    Intellectual property,

    Business organizations,

    Communications,

    Contracts,

    Defamation,

    Employment law - employee,

    Sexual harassment,

    Trademarks,

    Trusts,

    Wage & hour laws,

    Whistleblower,

    Wills,

    Business & corporate

    1801 Century Park East, 24th FloorLos Angeles, California, 90067

    First Admitted: 2022, California

    Professional Webpage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensterling/

    Bar/Professional Activity:
    • State Bar of California
    • American Bar Association, Member, 2021
    • Los Angeles Bar Association, Member, 2021
    • Century City Bar Association, Member, 2022
    Videos:
    Transactions:
    • Major influencer and Studio/Channel deal for multi-year production committment, 2023
    • Participated in tech company acquisition, resulting in post transaction valuation of nearly $70 million.  Utilized legal strategy, leverage on parties and scarcity to create demand for the transaction to consumate, 2024
    • Participated in the revitalization of Downtown Las Vegas (Freemont District) with Zappos, Tony Hsieh and landowners on major land acquisitions that were vital part of the renewal strategy.  Also included workouts with major banks, institutional lenders and property owners, 2011 - 2022
    • Formation on new studio and production company with focus on live action and AI assets, 2024
    • Represented plaintiff in tech equity and wrongful termination matter, 2023
    • App sale to major tech company, represented developers/seller, 2023
    Special Licenses/Certifications:
    • Executive Certificate, Information Technology, Harvard Business School, 2001
    • Real Estate Broker, California Department of Real Estate
    • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security (MCSE)
    • CompTIA Security+, CompTIA
    • Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA)
    • Certified Mediator: Family, Real Estate and Business Law, MC3 Mediator Certification
    • AAA - Mediator.Org: Mediator Affiliate, American Arbitration Association, Labor and Employment
    • 2011 Litigation Management Institute, CLM Alliance (Claims and Litigation Management Alliance)
    • Negotiation Professional Certificate, American Negotiation Institute
    Pro bono/Community Service:
    • Mediator, Los Angeles Superior Courts, Center for Conflict Resolution, 2023
    • Mediator and Attorney, EEOC, 2023
    Educational Background:
    • M.B.A., Marketing and Technology, Babson College, Summa Cum Laude, 2011-2013
    • Ph.D., UC Santa Barbara, 2013-2015
    • L.L.M., Privacy Law and Cyber Security, USC Gould School of Law, Graduate Fellow, Phi Kappa Phi, Top 7.5% of Class, Dean's Academic Excellence Scholarship Award, 2022-2023
    • M.A., Media and Communication Strategy, Annenberg School, University of Southern California, 2018-2022
    White Papers:
    • The 2022 defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard captured global attention, with millions of viewers and significant engagement on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter (now X). Social media activity overwhelmingly favored Depp, with hashtags like #WeAreWithYouJohnnyDepp and content attacking Heard’s credibility. While Depp’s attorneys denied social media influenced the trial, the pervasive online discourse raised concerns about its impact on public perception and legal outcomes, particularly given the DARVO strategy observed in some social media behavior. DARVO—Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender—is a tactic that can distort public opinion and discredit survivors, regardless of the validity of their claims. This white paper examines the role of social media and DARVO in high-profile trials and their influence on jury decisions. Research highlights the correlation between juror exposure to social media and verdicts, emphasizing the need for stronger judicial oversight. The review also explores the dynamics of public opinion in intimate partner violence cases and the contentious nature of social media commentary. Ultimately, the findings stress the importance of media literacy and responsible online practices to safeguard fair trials and public discourse., He Said, She Said: Who Gaslighted Whom? Decoding DARVO in the Depp v. Heard Trial and the Impact of Social Media on Jury Trial Voting, Law, Mediation, Business, Civil, 2024
    Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
    • Article about balancing government access to user data with individual privacy rights. It discusses the ability of governments to purchase user data from third-party companies without a warrant. This data can include information from social media, financial transactions, and surveillance footage. AI is seen as a potential solution to analyzing this data while protecting privacy. However, there are concerns about the legality and ethics of governments buying user data, Author, Big Brother Bargain: Can Governments Bypass Your Rights by Paying Up?, Digital Law Asia, Technology, Media, Legal, 2024
    • The ongoing challenge of balancing individual data privacy with the government's need for user data through national security efforts has long plagued courts and policymakers. This tension intensifies as technology advances, permeating daily life, and global uncertainty fuels government demand for additional data. This study explores this tension by examining the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures in the context of user data obtained by the government through third-party providers. I argue that the Fourth Amendment provides a sufficient framework to balance these competing interests. While acknowledging the government's responsibility for national security, we contend that this does not automatically override individual privacy concerns. However, the legality of the government purchasing third-party user data – data voluntarily provided by users to private companies – remains a critical question. Drawing on relevant case law, including United States v. Jones, this study analyzes the evolving legal landscape regarding user data and government surveillance. I conclude by calling for further discussion on the legality of government access to third-party data and exploring potential solutions within the existing framework., Author, Your Data, Modern Times, and and the Fourth Amendment: What would Jefferson and Orwell do?, Santa Clara University - High Technology Law Journal, Law, Technology, Government, Data, Privacy, Social Media, Internet, 2025
    • This article explores the complex issue of governments’ access to thirdparty user data without search warrants in the detection, prevention, and prosecution of computer crimes. Topics under analysis include balancing data privacy and public safety, the application of the Fourth Amendment, and seminal court cases such as Riley, Carpenter, and Smith v. Maryland. Cybercrime poses a significant threat to society, businesses, individuals, and governments. While privacy advocates argue for warrant-based access to user data, individuals readily “opt in” and share their data with companies, raising the question of why stricter standards should apply to government use. This article proposes that the government utilize third-party data in computer crime investigations without warrants. The use of artificial intelligence is proposed to sort and analyze third-party data in an ethical and legal manner., Author, Opt Out or Pipe Down, You Traded Your Data Away: Balancing Computer Crime Prevention, Third-Party Data, and Individual Privacy Rights, Hastings Law Review - Science Technology Law Journal, Law, Technology, Government, Data, 2024
    Industry Groups:
    • Employment
    • Entertainment
    • Influencers
    • Media
    • Real Estate
    • Social Media
    • Technology
    • Wills And Trusts
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