Eric Westlund is a partner in the litigation department of Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, LLP, recognized for handling complex commercial disputes in an efficient, client-friendly manner. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes matters across industries, with a practice spanning trademark and intellectual-property litigation, employment disputes, media and entertainment controversies, and a wide range of business conflicts.

Mr. Westlund litigates in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels, regularly appearing before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He also has extensive experience in contractual arbitration, administrative proceedings, and pre-litigation counseling and dispute resolution. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Westlund advises companies and entrepreneurs on contract negotiations, risk management, and other transactional matters, providing strategic advice designed to facilitate success and prevent disputes before they arise. His clients rely on him for case-winning written advocacy, bespoke litigation strategies, and pragmatic, big-picture thinking designed to achieve optimal business-oriented results.

Originally from Tigard, Oregon, Eric attended Northwestern Law in Chicago and has practiced at leading Los Angeles litigation firms since 2013. Prior to law school, he studied Chemistry and Philosophy at Pepperdine University. Outside the courtroom, Eric relishes applying the same tactical rigor and competitive edge to pursuits such as chess, poker, and advanced sports analytics.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Federal trademark litigation — stunning victory on dispositive motion: Secured dismissal of a bet-the-company Lanham Act case before trial, turning plaintiff’s litigation tactic against them by briefing novel issues showing that plaintiff’s unilateral covenant not to sue—intended to narrow the case and moot our counterclaims—inadvertently deprived the court of subject matter jurisdiction over the entire action. The cutting-edge strategy abruptly ended the case and saved our client millions in potential exposure and ongoing defense costs.
• Law firm fee dispute — arbitration victory affirmed on appeal: Obtained a $1.5 million award as lead counsel in a high-stakes fee dispute between law firms by examining witnesses at arbitration and prevailing before a panel of arbitrators. Secured judicial confirmation of the award in state court and handled briefing and oral argument in prevailing on appeal (Supreme Court review denied).
• Landlord-tenant litigation — lucrative settlement on the eve of trial: Elicited case-dispositive admissions at deposition of a corporate landlord’s general counsel in a contentious residential tenant-harassment suit. The testimony positioned our entertainment-industry client for a favorable resolution without the cost or risk of trial.
• Corporate governance dispute — negotiated favorable resolution to avoid litigation: Negotiated a complex buyout transaction on behalf of a founder and CEO to resolve a high-stakes governance dispute with the company’s lead investor. The resolution averted threatened litigation and achieved our client’s objective of preserving good will in the brand.
• Media & entertainment clients — confidential and high-profile disputes: Achieved favorable confidential settlements for prominent entertainers and broadcasters in sensitive contractual and employment disputes through arbitration and mediation. Defeated a frivolous defamation lawsuit on behalf of an online content creator by prevailing on an anti-SLAPP motion and obtaining fee-shifting relief.
• Pro bono appellate advocacy — landmark California Supreme Court decision: Briefed and argued writ petition addressing compulsory joinder in Special Immigrant Juvenile proceedings. After the Court of Appeal denied the writ, led amici curiae strategy for three advocacy organizations in successful petition for review, ultimately leading to reversal in sweeping opinion providing statewide guidance on important issues. (Bianka M. v. Superior Court (2018) 5 Cal.5th 1004.)

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctor, cum laude (2013), Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, cum laude (2009), Pepperdine University, Malibu, California

ADMISSIONS

• Member, State Bar of California
• Admitted, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• Admitted, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

HONORS & OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

• Mr. Westlund has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (top 2.5% of attorneys age 40 or younger) for six years running (2020-2025).