Bobby Samini

Press Conference During Donald Sterling Trial

Samini received national media coverage after serving as lead counsel to former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling, in litigation with the NBA, TMZ, and Sterling's ex-girlfriend V. Stiviano. In April 2014, website TMZ released an audio recording of a man reported to be Sterling making racial remarks to V. Stiviano, following an Instagram post featuring Stiviano and basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.[7] In the recording, the man believed to be Sterling, is heard saying: "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to?" and "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring them to my games."[8]

If you're going to come after Sterling, maybe it's time for the NBA to take a close reflection on their own conduct.

— Bobby Samini, The Today Show, June 10, 2014

Following a public outcry, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling would receive a lifetime ban from the NBA, fined $2.5 million by the league, and forced to sell the team.[9] On August 14, 2014, after an unsuccessful appeal attempt by Sterling, the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer for $2 billion was finalized.[10] In response to the NBA's decision, Samini called the NBA a "band of hypocrites," citing previous discriminatory conduct by the NBA, and suggested the organization "take a close reflection on their own conduct."[11]

In addition, Samini also served as co-counsel to Sterling in his probate and divorce proceedings with wife Shelly Sterling.[12] In March 2016, Samini informed the Los Angeles Times that "notwithstanding all the difficult events of the last two years, the Sterlings have resolved their differences" and decided not to proceed with their divorce.[13]

On November 6, 2015, a Los Angeles judge granted TMZ's request to be dismissed from the case, ruling that TMZ had a right to release the tape because it concerned an issue of public interest.[14] On March 22, 2016, a federal judge dismissed Sterling's antitrust lawsuit against the NBA.[15] The judge concluded that Sterling could not "show that the NBA parties deprived him of a constitutionally protected interest."[16] In response, Samini released a statement, stating that "it is impossible to believe that, in any other circumstance, a private conversation could be recorded and distributed without an individual's consent or that private medical information could be made public in this manner all without consequence."[17] Despite the setback, Samini announced that Sterling "remains committed to the cause."[18]

Samini with rapper T-Pain

Samini has represented many celebrities in the entertainment industry including Grammy Award winning rapper T-Pain, rapper DJ Paul of the Academy Award winning hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, stand-up comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez, and award winning singer/songwriter Stephen Wesley.

Samini represented financial management firm SAIL Venture Partners LLC against a breach of contract action by singer and actress Cher [19] in June 2016. According to the complaint, her trust invested $1.3 million for clean technology partnerships and claimed SAIL misrepresented the companies' performance to accrue additional fees.[20] Cher claimed that SAIL made "risky and unsound" financial investments through "malicious and fraudulent" business decisions.[21] The allegations included breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and professional negligence claims.[22] The lawsuit was dismissed January 2018.[23]

Samini represented several class action plaintiffs against online real estate database Zillow, alleging violations of California Labor Code and California Business and Professions Code.[24] On February 26, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California certified the class to include anyone who worked as an inside sales consultant at Zillow between November 2010 and January 2015.[25] Among numerous allegations, Zillow was accused of failing to pay wages, failing to pay overtime pay, and failing to provide meal and rest breaks.

In addition, along with attorney Mark Geragos, Samini represented a former Zillow employee in a sexual harassment action against the company, alleging "sexual torture"[26] and "the most heinous acts of sexual harassment imaginable."[27] According to the lawsuit, Zillow's Southern California office represents an "adult frat house where sexual harassment and misconduct are normalized, condoned, and promoted by male managers."[28] Based on the allegations against the company, Samini called Zillow a "modern day Animal House."[29] On May 5, 2016, Zillow settled the action for an undisclosed amount.[30]

Samini served as lead counsel for a Mitsubishi dealership owner with four locations in Southern California in a multimillion-dollar litigation against Mitsubishi Motors North America.[31] Among the allegations, the lawsuit alleged that Mitsubishi forced dealerships to stock more cars than could be sold, resulting in millions of dollars in extra finance charges.[32] Samini claimed the increased inventory cost his client $10 million and that the "impermissible increases in new car inventory at Cerritos Mitsubishi continue to this day."[33]

In addition, Samini also represented two former auto dealers in class actions against Mitsubishi Motors of North America for racketeering, fraud, and unfair business practices.

Samini has appeared on multiple national news television programs to provide legal commentary, including Anderson Cooper 360°, NBC's The Today Show with Matt Lauer, and FOX Business Network's Cavuto: Coast to Coast with Neil Cavuto.[34][35][36]

In addition, Samini has appeared as a guest on Good Day L.A., CNN's New Day with Chris Cuomo and Bloomberg Television's Street Smart with Trish Regan.[37][38]

Samini has published articles and contributed legal commentary for multiple news websites including The Huffington Post,[39] Law360,[40] and LawNewz by Dan Abrams.[41] In addition, Samini has been interviewed by ESPN, the Los Angeles Times, Slate Magazine, and Forbes.[42][43][44]

Samini was named Los Angeles Attorney of the Month by Attorney at Law Magazine in April 2017.[45]

Samini currently sits on the Board of Directors of the UC Berkeley School of Law Civil Justice Research Initiative. Founded by renowned Constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, the Civil Justice Research Initiative explores, through interdisciplinary academically-based and independent research, how the civil justice system can be made more available to everyone seeking relief. Among the many prominent lawyers sitting on the Board with Samini is U.S. Representative of California Katie Porter.[46]

Samini also sits on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Gang Reduction & Intervention Partnership. The non-profit supports the initiatives of the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership program in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The program has more than 200 partners in 13 cities, including police departments, probation departments and more than 100 private businesses and non-profit organizations. Over the last four years, through a partnership with selected schools that are at-risk for gang violence, the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership program has put thousands of kids between 8 and 12 years old through their program.[47]