Kristina Fernandez Mabrie

Associate
About

Kristina Fernandez Mabrie is an experienced complex commercial litigator, strategic advisor, and crisis manager for high-profile clients, including Fortune 100 and 500 companies, emerging businesses, and non-profits in the consumer products, health and fitness, sports, media, and entertainment industries. She handles a wide range of complex disputes, including matters involving right of publicity (name, image, and likeness), trademark and copyright, defamation, breach of contract, fraud, false advertising, and trade secret disputes.

Kristina excels at solving complex problems and managing urgent crises in high-profile settings. She leverages litigation, public policy, and communication skills to prevent and efficiently resolve disruptive conflicts discretely, holistically, and creatively. Kristina collaborates effectively with clients and their public relations teams to address issues, minimize harm, and align with long-term objectives. Clients rely on her for advice on novel legal questions and day-to-day operational needs, including intellectual property, domain name, right of publicity, labor and employment, investigations, governance, and emerging legal and industry trends. Before joining DLA Piper, Kristina was an associate with a global law firm, specializing in complex and business litigation, racial justice and equity, labor and employment, and sports law.

Bar admissionsCaliforniaDistrict of Columbia
CourtsAll California state courtsUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

EXPERIENCE

  • Successfully represented a celebrity fitness trainer in a contract dispute involving the right to use her name, image, and likeness.
  • Litigation counsel for sports agency against former NFL player in a contract dispute. Including the complete disqualification of the player's counsel and firm on conflict-of-interest grounds.
  • Advised global online sports gambling platform on state sports gambling legislation after the Supreme Court's decision in Christie v. NCAA.
  • Advised athletic apparel brand on right of publicity issues arising from collaborative projects with athletes, marketing, advertising, and related matters.
  • Advised to Major League Baseball teams on obtaining and utilizing athlete biometrics.
  • Advised sports teams and leagues on right of publicity issues.
  • Represented MLB Athlete who was the victim of extortionist threats in a federal investigation.
  • Represented a restaurant start-up as litigation counsel in a dispute involving trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract.
  • Successfully defended the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors against a resident's petition for writ of mandate to block the transfer of Bruce's Beach to the heirs of the Bruce family.
  • Pro-bono counsel to the LA Police Commission's Advisory Committee on Building Trust and Equity, which reviewed LAPD policies and procedures and provided reform recommendations.
  • Represented sports apparel company in obtaining and enforcing registrations for various marks and designs. 
  • Secured dismissal with prejudice on behalf of venture capital firm against the employee of a portfolio company asserting claims of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
     

Pro Bono

Kristina devotes her pro bono practice to matters impacting racial justice and equality locally and nationally.
Education
  • J.D., University of California at Los Angeles, 2017
  • B.A., Loyola Marymount University, 2008

Seminars

  • Women in Sport, April 19, 2023

Memberships And Affiliations

Kristina is a member of the Sports Lawyers Association, WISE (Women In Sports and Entertainment), and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

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