John V. Berlinski

John V. Berlinski is a leading entertainment lawyer and partner at Bird Marella, where he represents major figures in film, television, and media. His clients include award-winning actors, producers, studios, and creators involved in high-stakes litigation across licensing, profit participation, intellectual property, and distribution disputes.

John earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School and holds a B.A. with distinction from Cornell University. He is admitted to practice in California and previously served as Senior Vice President and Head of West Coast Television Litigation at NBCUniversal, gaining deep industry insight into television production and distribution.

Throughout his career, John has handled some of the most high-profile entertainment cases in recent years. He successfully represented Scarlett Johansson in her widely publicized lawsuit against Disney over the release strategy for Black Widow. He also secured a historic $179 million arbitration award for the cast and creator of Bones, one of the largest profit participation awards in entertainment law history.

John also represents Brad Pitt in international litigation involving the Château Miraval winery and has litigated on behalf of major media investors, talent agencies, and entertainment companies. His ability to navigate complex legal and business issues has earned him recognition from Forbes, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Benchmark Litigation.

With a practice rooted in litigation strategy and deep industry knowledge, John V. Berlinski remains a go-to legal advisor for entertainment professionals facing high-stakes disputes. His success in landmark cases has helped shape legal precedent in the entertainment industry, establishing him as one of Hollywood’s most respected litigators.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Bird, Marella, Rhow, Lincenberg, Drooks, & Nessim, LLP

Licensed State

• California

Education

• University of Michigan Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Cornell University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges