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Robert J. Allan

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Malibu, California

 

Phone: (310) 456-3024

Fax: (310) 317-0484

Email: robert@rjallanlaw.com

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Review Robert J. Allan's Avvo profile

 

ROBERT J. ALLAN is the founder of the Allan Law Group.

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Robert J. Allan is an AV-rated attorney with over 30 years of legal experience. He is admitted to practice in California, is a Barrister and Solicitor in Canada, and an admitted Solicitor in England and Wales. His practice encompasses the representation of domestic and international businesses, corporations, partnerships and trusts, with a focus on corporate law, commercial litigation, corporate compliance, corporate governance, international transactions, bankruptcy, copyright, music law and entertainment law litigation.

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Mr. Allan maintains a significant music law and copyright practice focused on protecting and monetizing creative rights. He advises songwriters, artists, producers, estates and catalog owners on copyright termination and reversion strategies, catalog valuation, registration and enforcement, royalty disputes, and the negotiation of recording, publishing, synchronization, licensing, and distribution agreements. He represents clients in the sale and acquisition of music catalogs, publishing rights and termination interests, and negotiates name, image and likeness rights and life-story rights for documentary and film projects.

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Mr. Allan also provides general counsel to film, television and documentary producers, advising on development and production matters and negotiating above- and below-the-line agreements, including talent, producer, financing and licensing deals. 

 

He also represents clients in entertainment disputes, arbitrations and litigation involving contract, compensation, credit, royalty and intellectual property issues.

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Mr. Allan is an experienced trial lawyer and has served as lead counsel in numerous trials, arbitrations and mediations involving complex business and corporate disputes, music and entertainment matters, commercial law, LLC, partnership and shareholder conflicts, royalty disputes, and intellectual property litigation.

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Mr. Allan additionally provides comprehensive art law consulting to collectors, investors, galleries and estates. His services include negotiating acquisitions and dispositions of artwork, coordinating independent appraisals, reviewing provenance and authenticity documentation, assessing condition reports, conducting due diligence during private viewings, and advising clients in gallery, dealer, auction and private-sale transactions.

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He serves as general counsel for many of his clients, providing both litigation and transactional guidance. His experience as the President and CEO of public and private corporations gives him unique insight into the complexities of operating a global business and the ability to anticipate and navigate challenges across multiple jurisdictions.

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Mr. Allan previously founded the USA China Law Group, an organization dedicated to providing legal and strategic business advice to U.S. individuals and entities seeking to establish and expand their presence in China, and to Chinese clients seeking to grow businesses in the United States. The Group advised on litigation matters, commercial collections, intellectual property issues, and consulted with institutional investors on opportunities in the Chinese Non-Performing Loan and Distressed Debt markets.

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He has authored and co-authored several publications, including “The Conflicted Duty of Chinese Lawyers,” published in the National Law Journal, and “Forensic Sourcing in China,” which outlines strategies for successful compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Mr. Allan is also a frequent speaker and has presented at the Director’s College at Stanford Law School, the CEO Roundtable in Beijing, UCLA School of Law, USC School of Law, and the Santa Monica Bar Association.

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Mr. Allan is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and multiple professional bar organizations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

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Mr. Allan began his legal career at Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP in Vancouver, British Columbia. He received his LL.B. with Distinction from the University of British Columbia, and his B.A. with Distinction from the University of Calgary. He is admitted to practice in California; England and Wales; and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.

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Areas of Practice:

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Business Law

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Copyright Law

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Corporate Law

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Commercial Litigation

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Entertainment Law litigation

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International Law

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Music Law

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Trial law, Litigation, Arbitration and Mediations

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Certification/Specialties:

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Certified Trial Advocate, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, 1987

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Bar Admissions:

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British Columbia, 1975

California, 1985

U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1986

U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1993

England and Wales, Admitted to practice as a Solicitor

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Education:

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University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1975 L.L.B.

Honors: With Distinction

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University of Calgary, 1972
B.A.
Honors: With Distinction

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Classes/Seminars Taught:

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Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with a focus on China, Panelist at the 2010 Director's College at Stanford Law School.

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Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Globalization, Panelist at the 2009 Director's College at Stanford Law School.

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"Western and Chinese Perspectives of Corporate Social Responsibility", Global CEO Forum in Beijing, 2008.

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Importing Problem Goods from China, Institute for Corporate Counsel at USC, 2007.

Panelist on Structuring asset investments in China, The U.S.-China Business Law Conference at UCLA, 2008.

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Professional Associations and Memberships:

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State Bar of California, Attorney at Law, Active Member, 1985 - Present 

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Law Society of England and Wales, Barrister and Solicitor, Active Member, 2014 - Present

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Law Society of British Columbia, Barrister and Solicitor, Inactive Member, 1975 - Present 

American Bar Association

State Bar of California, Commercial Litigation Sub-Section
 

International Bar Association
 

Pacific Council on International Policy

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Allan Law Group represents clients with domestic and international business interests in the United States, China, Russia, India, and the southern California cities of Los Angeles, Universal City, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Woodland Hills, Encino, Century City, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Malibu, Ventura, Santa Monica, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, and Malibu.