In the News

Partner Keri Axel Interviewed on LiveNow Fox TV about Rep. George Santos Indictment

Partner Keri Curtis Axel, interviewed about New York Republican Congressman George Santos facing 13 federal charges on LiveNow Fox, said “This is a very interesting indictment because it’s a potpourri of different fraud charges…”

Partner Teresa Huggins Quoted by the Daily Journal in a Story about the Commercial Real…

Partner Teresa Huggins was quoted by the Daily Journal in a May 5, 2023 story about economic strains on the commercial real estate market in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Huggins said, “If the only excuse [for nonpayment] is COVID, the tenant will likely lose …

Managing Partner Scott Malzahn Elected President of LGBTQ+ Rights Group Equality California Reports LA Business…

The Los Angeles Business Journal reported that Waymaker Managing Partner Scott Malzahn has been elected president of Equality California, the largest statewide LGBTQ+ rights organization in the nation. “We are the primary voice in California for LGBTQ-plus issues …

Partner Brian Klein Quoted About Notorious Gambler Suing Casinos From Prison

Partner Brian Klein, quoted by usbets.com in a story about a high-roller gambler in federal prison for investment fraud suing online casino BetMGM, said the client’s incarceration made the defense attorney’s job “exponentially more challenging …”

Ryan Baker Interviewed by Law.com About Anti-SLAPP Defenses

Partner Ryan Baker, interviewed by Law.com on December 15, 2022, about the proliferation of anti-SLAPP suits, said, “The cure has become the disease. Anti-SLAPP has become bloated … it’s become a problem for real plaintiffs …”

Partner Ryan Baker Interviewed by CBS News Morning about Social Media Companies Facing Lawsuit From…

Ryan Baker speaking to CBS News Morning about hundreds of families suing social media companies for allegedly impacting their children’s mental health, said “the algorithms are products that the companies develop themselves and those products can be the basis for liability”…

Partner Keri Axel Interviewed by BBC After Outraged Taylor Swift Fans Bring Lawsuit Against Ticketmaster

Keri Curtis Axel, an experienced criminal and civil litigator and parent of a Swiftie, interviewed by BBC on the lawsuit by angry Taylor Swift fans against Ticketmaster, said the goal is “to get rid of the bots so that common customers have a chance to get tickets …”

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Los Angeles Times on former Dodger star Yasil Puig Withdrawing…

Representing former Dodgers star Yasil Puig in a sports betting case, Partner Keri Curtis Axel said “significant new evidence” prompted the defense to withdrawal Puig’s agreement to plead guilty of lying to investigators, reported the Los Angeles Times

Partner Ryan Baker Interviewed by BBC on Balenciaga Ad Scandal and Subsequent Lawsuit

Ryan Baker spoke to BBC World Service about the Balenciaga BDSM ad scandal, which erupted when the edgy high-end fashion house published photographs from a new “gift collection” ad campaign, which featured images of children holding stuffed teddy bears wearing bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism articles with other BDSM objects also on display …

Keri Axel Quoted by Yahoo! Finance on Holmes’ 11-Year Prison Sentence

Partner Keri Curtis Axel, a former federal prosecutor, quoted by Yahoo! Finance November 23, 2022 on Elizabeth Holmes’ 11-year prison sentence for her fraud while Theranos CEO, said, low-security federal prison facilities such as the one Holmes is being sent to in Texas, “they’re not great places. No one wants to be there…”

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Yahoo!  Finance on Elizabeth Holmes’ Sentencing

Former federal prosecutor Keri Curtis Axel, quoted by Yahoo! Finance November 18, 2022 on Elizabeth Holmes’ sentencing hearing for her fraud and conspiracy conviction related to the blood-testing venture Theranos, said, “the judge has pretty broad discretion …”

Melissa Meister Interviewed by KNX Radio about LAPD Investigation into Leaked of Recording of Council…

Former federal prosecutor Melissa Meister told KNX, “I see a very difficult road for any prosecutor who brings this case …”

Brian Klein Quoted by the Wall Street Journal on Winning Probation for the Firm’s Client,…

Partner Brian Klein was quoted by the Wall Street Journal in an October 5, 2022 story about the alleged Capital One hacker receiving probation and not the seven-year prison sentence the federal prosecutors sought ….

Melissa Meister Quoted by Law 360 On Paige Thompson Avoiding Prison Sentence

Melissa Meister was quoted by Law 360 in an October 5, 2022 article about Capital One hacker Paige Thompson receiving probation for the 2019 data breach in lieu of the government’s recommended seven-year prison sentence ….

Johnny Depp Fans Rush to Fork Over Cash for Unsealed Court Docs. Did It Backfire?

Ryan Baker was quoted in Rolling Stone about fans of Johnny Depp who crowdsourced thousands of dollars to obtain unsealed court documents that ultimately contained unflattering and embarrassing information about Johnny Depp.

Partner Brian Klein Quoted By Law360 about Cybersecurity Bill Authored by Sens. Lummis and Gillibrand

Partner Brian Klein, quoted by Law360 on proposed cybersecurity legislation co-sponsored by Sens. Lummis and Gillibrand, said “Everyone in the industry agrees that cybersecurity is really important, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is looking to the SEC and CFTC …”

Melissa Meister Quoted by NewsNation Rush Hour about Amazon Criticized for Sharing Doorbell Video with…

Former federal prosecutor Melissa Meister told Rush Hour “There’s going to be cases down the road where one of these digital assistants recording something inside the house …”

Melissa Meister Quoted by Law360 on DOJ’s Listening Problem in Trials

Former federal prosecutor Melissa Meister told Law360, in a story about the Department of Justice’s losing a major antitrust case, “I don’t think DOJ did a good job of listening regarding the evidentiary problems that were in the case.” ...

Ryan Baker Quoted by Los Angeles Times on Amber Heard Speaking to NBC Dateline about…

Asked if Amber Heard risks more legal trouble by speaking about Johnny Depp after she lost a defamation lawsuit brought by Depp, Managing Partner Ryan Baker told the Los Angeles Times, generally testimony at trial is privileged and “[a] person can’t be sued for something they say on the stand …”

The Trial of Paige Thompson, the Alleged Capital One Hacker, is Underway with Brian Klein,…

Partner Brian Klein, who gave the opening statement last Wednesday in Ms. Thompson’s trial in Seattle federal court and has been cross-examining government witnesses since then, was quoted by the New York Times saying, “They [prosecutors] are interpreting [the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act] so broadly that it captures conduct that is innocent …”

Ryan Baker Interviewed on Sky News immediately following Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard Verdict

Waymaker Managing Partner Ryan Baker was interviewed by Britain’s Sky News moments after the verdict in the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation case, stating that while he was somewhat surprised by Depp’s win, he credited the actor’s attorneys, who did a “tremendous job …”

Judge Gives Preliminary Approval to $20 Million-Plus Settlement in Prius Stalling Defect Class Action Lawsuit…

A California federal judge has tentatively approved a $20 million cash plus extended warranty and other valuable benefits settlement in the Prius stalling defect class-action lawsuit, reported Law360, in a case in which Donald Pepperman and Associate Emily Stierwalt are among the plaintiffs’ counsel …

Ryan Baker Quoted by BBC.com on Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard Verdict

Partner

Partner Ryan Baker, quoted by BBC.com about the verdict in the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation case, said for the jury to award Depp $15 million it “had to discredit Heard’s testimony almost in its entirety …”

Co-Founders Ryan Baker and Jaime Marquart Quoted in Reuters Story about Law Firm Names

Co-founding partners Ryan Baker and Jaime Marquart were interviewed by Reuters about renaming the firm Waymaker in a story headlined, “Move over Dull, Boring & Stiff …

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Law360 about Trial of Lawyer Accused of Lying to FBI

Partner Keri Curtis Axel, quoted by Law360 on May 16, 2022 on the trial of a former Perkins Coie attorney accused of lying to the FBI, said that while the false statement statute is “pretty simple,” prosecutors …

Partner Brian Klein Quoted By Law360 about the Ninth Circuit’s Recent Landmark Cybercrime Decision and…

Partner Brian Klein was quoted by Law360 explaining how last month’s Ninth Circuit hiQ v. LinkedIn ruling is “a natural extension” of Supreme Court precedent and supports the firm’s defense of Paige Thompson, the alleged Capital One hacker …

Ryan Baker Quoted by Newsweek on Johnny Depp v. Amanda Heard Trial Break

In a May 9, 2022 Newsweek article, Partner Ryan Baker said Amber Heard “presented some fairly detailed, emotional, strong testimony.” He added that it’s “hard to imagine that testimony won’t be bouncing around in the heads of jurors at the expense of prior evidence …”

Ryan Baker Discusses Privacy Issues Related to Racy Rep. Madison Cawthorn video on NBC NOW…

In a Friday, May 6 segment titled “Sex, Shame and the Internet,” on NBC NOW Tonight with Joshua Johnson, Partner Ryan Baker discussed privacy issues related to social media, specifically addressing a recently released video of U. S. House Representative Madison Cawthorn …

Ryan Baker Quoted by BBC on Depp v. Heard One Month into Trial

In a BBC article, Co-Managing Partner Ryan Baker said Depp faces a steep challenge. “For the jury to side with Johnny Depp,” Baker said, “they will have to completely disregard Amber Heard’s testimony …”

Melissa Meister Quoted by Law360 on DOJ’s Antitrust Leniency Overhaul

Melissa Meister, quoted by Law360 in an April 25, 2022 story about DOJ’s clarification of rules governing its antitrust leniency program, which is designed to encourage self-reporting about price fixing cartels, said DOJ is still employing “squish language,” that gives prosecutors discretion …

BBC’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ Asks Partner Ryan Baker About Ongoing High-Profile Litigation Between Johnny Depp…

Ryan Baker, who has represented plaintiffs and defendants in defamation and other speech-related cases, commented on the ongoing legal battle between Hollywood celebrities Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. ...

Ryan Baker Quoted by BBC on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Defamation Trial and SLAPP

In a BBC article, Co-Managing Partner Ryan Baker said, “It’s not uncommon for a plaintiff to choose the forum, but that doesn’t explain why they chose Virginia over California … in California, Heard would have just knocked this case out right away…”

Ryan Baker Quoted by Vulture on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Defamation Trial and anti-SLAPP

In a Vulture article, Co-Managing Partner Ryan Baker addressed the upcoming Virginia trial saying, “In my opinion, if this case were brought in California, I think it would be dead on arrival” because of California’s strict anti-SLAPP law …

Ryan Baker Quoted by Business Insider on Hollywood M&A Frenzy

In a Business Insider article, Co-Managing Partner and Litigator Ryan Baker addressed the M&A frenzy in Hollywood saying, “More traditional media companies are trying to pivot …”

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Law360 on Second Circuit Libor Reversal

Partner Keri Curtis Axel, quoted by Law360 on February 1, 2022 on the Second Circuit’s Libor reversal, said that she does not expect the ruling to disrupt the DOJ’s appetite for bring complex cases …

Partner Brian Klein Quoted By WSJ about a Federal Lawsuit involving a DeFi Protocol

Partner Brian Klein, who represents one of the defendants, told the Wall Street Journal, “This apparently ideologically-driven lawsuit is a waste of the court’s and everyone else’s time …”

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Law360 on Holmes’ Trial Lessons

Partner Keri Curtis Axel, quoted by Law360 on January 5, 2022 on Holmes’ trial takeaways, said “Judge Davila played chicken with the defense, allowing [Holmes] to testify about the abuse …”

Partner Donald Pepperman Quoted by Law360 on California Antitrust Cases to Watch in 2022

Donald Pepperman, quoted by Law360 in a January 3, 2022 story about California cases to watch In 2022, said antitrust cases “send a clear message to these tech behemoths …”

Partner Brian Klein Quoted By Law360 about Cybersecurity Developments to Watch in 2022

Partner Brian Klein was quoted by Law360 on cybersecurity developments to watch in 2022, saying, “There’s been an uptick across the board in terms of the attention cybersecurity has gotten …”

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by AP as Elizabeth Holmes Jury Reaches Guilty Verdict

Partner Keri Curtis Axel was quoted by AP on January 3, 2022, just before the jury convicted Elizabeth Holmes, saying, “the government needs only a guilty verdict on one count …”

Partner Brian Klein Quoted on NPR about Jury in US v. Elizabeth Holmes

In an NPR broadcast December 29, 2021 about the jury deciding Elizabeth Holmes’ fate, Partner Brian Klein said, “The question becomes, ‘what were you thinking when you were doing these things?’ …

Partner Keri Axel Quoted on Holmes Taking Stand by Yahoo! Finance Live

Former Federal Prosecutor Keri Curtis Axel was quoted by Yahoo! Finance Live about Elizabeth Holmes taking the stand in the Theranos criminal fraud trial. Axel said, “It is very rare for a defendant …

Three Waymaker Lawyers Named 2021 Leaders in Law by Los Angeles Business Journal

Co-Managing Partners Ryan Baker and Scott Malzahn and Associate Emily Stierwalt have been recognized as 2021 Leaders in Law by Los Angeles Business Journal.

Partner Keri Axel Quoted on Theranos Investor Due Diligence by Law360

White Collar Partner Keri Curtis Axel was quoted by Law360 about Theranos investor due diligence, or lack thereof. A former federal prosecutor, Axel said, “Due diligence may not be sufficient …

Partner Brian Klein Quoted in Mercury News about US v. Elizabeth Holmes

In a San Jose Mercury News article on November 1, 2021, Brian Klein, a former federal prosecutor, said “Juries will surprise you. The story is only partially written …”

Ryan Baker Quoted in Business Insider on How Netflix co-CEO Comments on Dave Chappelle May…

In a Business Insider article on October 26, 2021, Co-Managing Partner Ryan Baker said, “We have Netflix admitting that this content can be harmful. The CEO has said so in three different ways …

Three Partners and Waymaker Recognized in Benchmark Litigation California 2022

Partners Ryan Baker, Brian Klein, and Jaime Marquart have been recognized as Local Litigation Stars and …

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Law360 on College Admission Scandal Trial Verdict

Government prosecutors won the first trial in the college admission scandal, but Keri Alex said defense attorneys will have solid arguments on appeal …

Partner Brian Klein Profiled as a Law360 2021 Fintech MVP

Brian Klein has been profiled as a Law360 2021 Fintech MVP. His victory in the nation’s first cryptocurrency antitrust case …

Partner Donald Pepperman Quoted by Law360 on Apple’s Mixed Trial Victory Over Epic Games

Donald Pepperman was quoted by Law360 in a September 13, 2021 story about Apple’s mixed victory over Epic Games in their antitrust battle …

Partner Keri Axel Quoted on Defense Strategy In Elizabeth Holmes Trial

White Collar Partner Keri Curtis Axel was quoted by TheWrap about Elizabeth Holmes’ possible domestic abuse defense in her Theranos fraud trial …

Partner Donald Pepperman Quoted by Law360 on Apple’s $100 million Settlement with App Developers

Donald Pepperman was quoted by Law360 in an August 30, 2021 story about Apple’s $100 million settlement saying the deal fails to provide “the structural and other relief that …

Partner Keri Axel Quoted by Law360 on College Admission Scandal Trial Strategy

The “challenge for the government is that Singer is the most involved in the scheme rather than a small player testifying …”

Partner Ryan Baker Quoted in Law.com about Courts Pushing Civil Cases to Settle Due to…

In a Law.com article on July 30, 2021, Co-Managing Partner Ryan Baker said, “It absolutely is the case that, especially in federal courts, civil trials are at the end of the line

Partner Brian Klein Quoted in CNN Article about why Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg might Cooperate…

In a CNN article on July 9, 2021, Brian Klein, a former federal prosecutor who represents individuals accused of high-profile crimes, said, “Prosecutors have a lot of tools at their disposal to try to get someone to cooperate …

Donald Pepperman Quoted by Law360 on Video Games as New Antitrust Target

Donald Pepperman was quoted by Law360 in a June 1st article about video games as an antitrust target. “I think there’s potentially going to be market power issues,” he said …

Partner Scott Malzahn Quoted by Law360 on Car-Share Rental Turf Wars…

"The challenge is, whenever a company’s trying to make a rollout on a national basis and encountering these patchwork laws…

Partner Don Pepperman Quoted About FTC Gearing Up for Aggressive Oversight of Mergers – Compliance…

Partner Don Pepperman was quoted about the Federal Trade Commission planning for aggressive oversight of antitrust and M&A.

Partner Ryan Baker Quoted About Confidentiality Requests in Data Breach Notifications – Legaltech News

Ryan Baker was quoted in a Legaltech News April 7th story about retailer FatFace asking affected customers in a ransomware attack

Partner Brian Klein Quoted in New York Times story about Teenage Twitter Hacker Pleading Guilty

In the New York Times article on March 16, Brian Klein, who represents people accused of high-profile hacking crimes, said, “We haven’t built a juvenile system for young hackers but we should be thinking about how we deal with this in a more systematic, compassionate fashion.”

CA Supreme Court to Consider anti-SLAPP Framework in Geiser v. Kuhns – Daily Journal

Ryan Baker, Scott Malzahn and Chloe George see an opportunity for the Court to “clearly distinguish between the first and second steps of the framework”...

Partner Keri Curtis Axel Discusses Market Manipulation and What Regulators Are Looking into With GameStop…

Keri Curtis Axel commented in video with the Wall Street Journal on February 19th about market manipulation as it relates to the…

Law Firm Names Are Getting More Interesting - Law.com’s Mid-Market Report

With the vast majority of U.S. states now permitting law firms to use trade names as their official moniker, leaders at younger…

Ryan Baker Talks Entertainment Industry Contracts with Variety

Ryan Baker was quoted a Variety article on February 4th about actor Armie Hammer and the potential downfall of his career. Reporter…

LA firm Baker Marquart rebrand as Waymaker - Daily Journal

The firm was featured in the Daily Journal on January 27, 2021 after it was announced that the firm changed its name…

Can Parler, Or Its Amazon Suit, Survive? - Law360

Parler says its return to the web is “inevitable” despite Amazon‘s pulling the platform’s plug for its alleged role in fomenting…

Keri Curtis Axel on Reality Life with Kate Casey Podcast  

Partner Keri Curtis Axel, an experienced trial and appellate lawyer who practices white-collar criminal and government enforcement defense, was a guest on…

Partner Brian Klein Profiled by Coindesk (The Leading Blockchain News Publication)

On May 10, 2020, Coindesk published a profile of partner Brian Klein, noting how he has “exploded onto the…

Los Angeles Business Journal Recognizes Ryan Baker Again as a Leader in Law

For the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Business Journal has recognized Baker Marquart partner and co-founder Ryan Baker as a Leader in Law.

Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Attorneys Ryan Baker and Jaime Marquart as Local Litigation Stars; Firm Receives…

In its 2020 rankings, Benchmark recognized partners Ryan Baker and Jaime Marquart “Local Litigation Stars,” ranking them among the top litigators throughout California.

Ryan Baker Selected to National Law Journal’s Sixth Annual Litigation Trailblazers

The National Law Journal named Ryan Baker a 2019 “Litigation Trailblazer.” This recognition is reserved for lawyers who have made an…

Over the Top – The Legal Gridlock that Hinders Competition in the US Streaming Video…

While the recent emergence of streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video seem to provide more options for consumers,…

Ryan Baker’s Q&A with Broadcasting & Cable: Why Over-the-Top Providers Are Hampered by Outdated Copyright…

In the wake of Apple’s announcement of its streaming video platform, Broadcasting & Cable turned to Trial Lawyer Ryan Baker

Winklevoss Capital Fund, LLC’s Attorney Fined $15K for Obstructive Behavior – Winklevoss Twins Ordered to…

Baker Marquart achieved a significant victory for its client Charlie Shrem in Winklevoss Capital Fund, LLC v. Shrem, which is before Judge…

Daily Journal Covers Ryan Baker’s Anti-SLAPP Argument Before California High Court

On February 6, 2019, Ryan Baker argued FilmOn.com, Inc. v. DoubleVerify, Inc. before the California Supreme Court. In the Daily Journal article,…

Baker Marquart Partner Brian Klein Leads New Digital Currency and Ledger Defense Coalition

Inside Bitcoins reported that Baker Marquart partner Brian Klein led the creation of a 50-strong nationwide coalition of attorneys dedicated to protecting…

FilmOn X Fires Back at Broadcasters in D.C. Circuit

Broadcast & Cable‘s John Eggerton reports on Baker Marquart client FilmOn X’s continued push to get a compulsory copyright license to retransmit…

Variety on VidAngel Firing Back at Studio Attempts to Shut It Down

Variety‘s Ted Johnson recently wrote about Baker Marquart client VidAngel’s formal response to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court by…

Brian Klein Speaks on Issues of Regulatory Compliance - Bitcoin 2013 Conference

In 2021, Baker Marquart became Waymaker. Information on this website reflects results obtained by Baker Marquart. Please click here to learn more about our name change.