Practice areas: Media & Advertising, Business & Corporate, Entertainment & Sports; view more
Licensed in California since: 2022
Education: University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2025 Call today:
310-929-6600
Virtual Appointments Sterling Media Law
1801 Century Park East, 24th FloorLos Angeles, CA 90067 Visit website
Details
Artists Rights Attorney | Los Angeles Music Lawyer | Tik-Tok Lawyer | Social Media Lawyer | Entertainment Lawyer | Corporate Lawyer
At Sterling Media Law in Los Angeles, California, Ken Sterling stands out as a dynamic and innovative attorney at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. His understanding of the legal intricacies in these fields allows him to adeptly steer clients through modern law's complexities in:
- Media Law: Defamation Law, Music Law, Entertainment Law, Sports Law Social Media Law, Influencer Law and Litigation. Post Removal: Remove Next Door Post, Remove Yelp Reviews, Social Media Take Down.
- Contract Law: Business Law, Real Estate Law, Transactional Law, Deal Making, Negotiations and Litigation.
- Corporate Law: Technology Law, Business Law, AI Law. Startups, Founders, Funding Rounds, Mergers, Acquisitions, Formation and Litigation.
- Intellectual Property Law: NIL(name, image & likeness) law, Copyright Law and Trademark Law.
Usual engagements for Sterling Media Law involve high profile clients, celebrities, athletes, affluent families and major brands who are involved with media, entertainment, sports, and social media. We are a deal making firm and work with clients being impacted by media, social media. We also handle defamation attacks. We routinely serve clients with reputation management, investigations, take-down requests, litigation and other methods.
Mr. Sterling worked on the Enforcement Team for EEOC, initially prosecuting cases and later serving as a mediator. He earned his Master of Laws in cyber security, privacy and media law from the USC Gould School of Law (making the Dean's list and graduating in the top 10%). He also holds a Master of Arts in influencer strategies, social media platforms and media from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He earned an MBA from Babson College, Summa Cum Laude and earned his Bachelors in Communication and Applied Psychology at the University of California and an executive education certificate in information technology from Harvard Business School. Mr. Sterling also earned MCSE with Microsoft, CCNA with Cisco and Security Expert with CompTIA+. He comes from a technology, entertainment and entrepreneurship background, which brings value to handling matters at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Sterling is a professor of law at USC Gould School of Law and a professor of media at USC Annenberg. Mr. Sterling has been published in the Hastings Law Review, Digital Law Asia and many other notable publications. He contributes to academia and professional communities as an author, keynote speaker and thought leader in media + marketing. Beyond academia, Mr. Sterling his field as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.
Practice areas
Media and Advertising, Business/Corporate, Entertainment & Sports, Intellectual PropertyFocus areas
Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Communications and Media Law, Contracts, Copyrights, Defamation, Entertainment, Sports & Leisure Law, Intellectual Property Law, Libel, Limited Liability Companies, Partnership, Slander, Sub-chapter S Corporations, Trademarks
First Admitted: 2022, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kensterling/
- State Bar of California
- American Bar Association, Member, 2021
- Los Angeles Bar Association, Member, 2021
- Century City Bar Association, Member, 2022
- Settled substantial PAGA lawsuit for major retailer (client)., 2024
- Facilitated substantial corporate transaction, buyout and removal of executive and shareholder., 2024
- Settled substantial IP infringement case on behalf of talent/creator. , 2024
- Settled major labor lawsuit on behalf of service industry client., 2024
- Television news appearance, Legal, Media, Civil Law, 2023
- US Entertainment Lawyer Ken Sterling discusses the legal issues YouTubers face, the Video Content Harm Act, his new jeans line, and more in this candid interview. Tune in for insights into the entertainment industry!, Entertainment Lawyer Talks About YouTubers Getting Sued, VCHA, New Jeans, Etc: Ken Sterling, Entertainment, Social Media, Influencers, 2025
- TEDx Talk - Managing Turbulence, Law, Mediation, Business, Civil, 2017
- Representing major best selling authors, technology executives, influencers, creators, musicians, studio executives, founders, actors and comedians., 2024
- Major influencer and Studio/Channel deal for multi-year production committment, 2023
- Represented company and shareholders for buyout and revised corporate structure, financing and other related actions., 2025
- Represented influencer on production and streaming deal for major distribution project., 2025
- Represented production company in social media influencer industry for ownership change., 2025
- Represented well known executive on prenuptial marriage agreement., 2025
- Dealmaking on major award show creation, entity formation and creation of various SOPs and agreements., 2025
- 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
- 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
- Mediator, Los Angeles Superior Courts, Center for Conflict Resolution, 2023
- Mediator and Attorney, EEOC, 2023
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Employment
- Entertainment
- Influencers
- Media
- Real Estate
- Social Media
- Technology
- Wills And Trusts
Office location for Ken Sterling
1801 Century Park East, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 310-929-6600
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2025
