Robert Ezra, senior principal of Ezra|Brutzkus|Gubner LLP has been serving a wide array of clients within the business community with an emphasis on the apparel and textile industry for 30 years. He gained practical industry knowledge during his previous experience as an accountant and a loan officer to garment makers. Mr. Ezra is the senior litigator at Ezra|Brutzkus|Gubner LLP in the area of commercial litigation, including contractual claims, partnership disputes, unfair competition, intellectual property claims and business torts. Drawing on his financial background, Mr. Ezra also consults on business issues.
Mr. Ezra works extensively with his clients and their accountants to develop business strategies that add value to companies. The business issues he regularly advises on include assurance of compliance to industry-specific labor regulations, company financing, the establishment of overseas operations for manufacturers and letters of credit. His representation of businesses is often likened to that of an outside general corporate counsel.
Known for his ability to create valuable opportunities for clients in the area of financing and business growth (structuring businesses to be sold and developing growth strategies), Mr. Ezra is trusted by the apparel industry for his ability to devise legally protective and creative resolutions in business conflicts.
“Because I have been involved in all aspects of the industry, I am able to ask the correct questions, which ultimately leads to the right solution to a client’s problems,” Mr. Ezra says.
Mr. Ezra is also a certified Mediator with over thirty years practicing law in the Los Angeles area. He is a Martindale Hubbell AV Rated lawyer who has been named as a California Super Lawyer and has gained a reputation to be both forthright and honest. That reputation and legal competence contributes to his ability to achieve cost effective resolutions of Ezra|Brutzkus|Gubner’s client disputes and to his success as a business Mediator.
Mr. Ezra is a national member of the board of trustees of the National Jewish Hospital in Denver and was recognized by the Hospital with its 2002 Humanitarian Award. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the City of Hope, Apparel Division, a hospital which he has enjoyed a 35 year relationship. Mr. Ezra has also served as President and upon Board of Directors of various charities, schools and religious organizations.
He frequently speaks on legal issues before accountants and financial personnel, including the California Society of Public Accountants, Credit Managers Association as well as private speaking engagements. Among the subjects he has addressed at apparel-related symposiums are labor compliance, letters of credit, finance, insolvency issues and secured transactions.
Practice Emphasis
- Apparel and Textile Industry Law
- Business and Commercial Litigation
- Trademark and Copyright Litigation
- Bankruptcy
Qualifications/Memberships
- State Bar of California
- Los Angeles and California Bar Associations
- American Bar Association, Commercial and Litigation Division
- Consumer Attorneys of California, Business and Business Litigation Division
- California Fashion Association
- Textile Professional Club
- National Jewish Hospital, Board of Trustees
- City of Hope, Apparel Industry Group, Board of Directors
- Managing Partners Roundtable
Education
- Loyola University, Los Angeles, CA, J.D., 1976
- DePaul University, Chicago, IL, B.S., Accounting, 1972
- California State Certified Mediator
Representative matters:
- Dismissal of high-profile, alleged slave labor charges by the U.S. Department of Labor against a contracted supplier. Protected client’s reputation and business operations with a swift and decisive legal defense.
- Successful defense of a privately-held jeans maker, Z. Cavarrici, in a potentially costly trademark lawsuit.
- Aggressive prosecution of infringement of trademark for junior’s denim maker.
- Ongoing counsel to various businesses in the review and evaluation of their Uniform Commercial Code forms, documentation and transactions.
- Devised a profitable exit plan for the owner of a piece goods company that added substantial value to a maturing business.
- Argued a malicious prosecution case before California Supreme Court that resulted in the court striking down the ability to sue for malicious prosecution in family law matters, a ruling that continues to stand.
- Represented a businessman falsely accused of illegal activity. Issues involved in the case, which was heard before the California State Supreme Court, include rules of privilege and SLAPP. Case resolved conflicting appellate rulings defining the rules of privilege.
- Structured the sale of a food business pending eminent demise based on incarceration of owner operator, yielding monies for payment of IRS and creditor claims.
- Successfully defended real property owner on lis pendens action brought by a credit card company.
- Successfully represented Creditor’s Committee in litigating for monies to provide a distribution for an administratively insolvent debtor.
- Set up a network of professionals, including factors and suppliers, to assist a start-up design company enter the market.
- Called as an expert witness on cases involving secured transactions and has consulted on letter of credit matters.
- Conduct business related mediations.