Rhonda R. Trotter

Partner

Los Angeles Tel +1 213.243.4153

Silicon Valley Tel +1 650.319.4555

Rhonda R. Trotter is a trial lawyer who represents businesses around the country in a variety of commercial disputes, including complex commercial, intellectual property, life sciences, entertainment, products liability, employment, business torts, breach of contract, and false advertising.

Rhonda has tried several cases to verdict as "first chair," including a widely-reported federal court jury trial in which she obtained on behalf of Planned Parenthood a multi-million dollar verdict on all claims against anti-abortion activists for RICO, trespass, fraud, illegal recording, and contract violations. In another federal court jury trial, she obtained on behalf of the owner of the freecreditreport.com trademark a seven-figure cybersquatting verdict, and a defense verdict on counterclaims for fraud on the PTO and antitrust violations.

She received her J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall), where she was Senior Articles Editor of the California Law Review, winner of the McBaine Moot Court Honors Program, and recipient of the Stephen Finney Jamison Award for outstanding scholarship and advocacy. She received her B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University.

Focus Areas

Experience

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, as lead trial counsel, in jury trial of claims against anti-abortion activists for RICO, trespass, fraud, and other violations. Obtained multi-million dollar verdict after six-week trial. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, et al. v. Center for Medical Progress, et al. (N.D. Cal.).
Philip Morris USA, as co-trial counsel, in two Engle progeny tobacco cases tried to state court juries in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, Florida.
City of Los Angeles, as co-trial counsel, in multi-billion dollar dispute with the City of Ontario concerning operation and ownership of the Ontario International Airport. City of Ontario v. City of Los Angeles, et al. (Riverside Superior Court).
Experian subsidiary, as lead trial counsel, in a five-week trial for cybersquatting and trademark infringement of FreeCreditReport.com® trademark. Obtained seven-figure jury verdict and complete defense verdict on counterclaims for cancellation based on alleged genericism, fraud on the Patent and Trademark Office, and antitrust violations. ConsumerInfo.com Inc. v. Chang, et al. (C.D. Cal.).
Allegiance Telecom Liquidating Trust, as lead trial counsel, in obtaining favorable US$50+ million verdict against Carl Icahn's XO Communications, Inc. in a bench trial in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The dispute arose out of a US$600 million telecommunications asset purchase. In re Allegiance Telecom (S.D.N.Y.).

Major hotel chain, as co-trial counsel, in obtaining favorable settlement during jury trial against sexual harassment and discrimination claims in San Diego Superior Court. Wright v. Wyndham Hotels, Inc. (San Diego Superior Court).
Experian subsidiary, as lead trial counsel, in obtaining stipulated injunction and favorable settlement on first day of trial in trade dress and trademark infringement case. ConsumerInfo.com, Inc. v. Mighty Net Inc. (C.D. Cal.).

Multinational pharmaceutical company in a disability discrimination and wrongful termination case. Company filed a cross-claim against the plaintiff seeking return of bonuses due to fraudulent conduct of the plaintiff and successfully defeated a demurrer filed by plaintiff to the cross-claim and subsequent writ petition to the California Court of Appeal. The case was favorably settled after the plaintiff’s deposition.
Allergan in an investigation by multiple state AG offices regarding relationships with wholesalers and pricing practices, and a related qui tam action.
Major pharmaceutical company in connection with claims made arising out of eye disease treatments.
Pfizer, as counsel, in products liability matters concerning talc products pending in California state courts. Recently obtained summary judgment in one such matter pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Brand name pharmaceuticals company in employment disputes, including discrimination and wage and hour claims.

The artist Prince, as lead counsel, on behalf of his related business entities in litigation and transactional matters throughout the world. Now represent Prince's estate in litigation matters and serve as counsel to the Personal Representative of the estate.
Major wireless company, as lead counsel, in connection with royalty audits by major music publisher.
Independent record label, as co-trial counsel, in lawsuit against a media conglomerate involving claims of fraud, willful copyright infringement, tortious interference with contract, and breach of contract. A federal jury returned a verdict that was subsequently listed by The National Law Journal as number 17 on its list of the "Top 100 Verdicts of 2003." TVT Records v. The Island Def Jam Music Group (S.D.N.Y.).
Major Spanish-language radio broadcasting company, as lead counsel, in employment matters involving on-air talent.
Chapter 11 Trustee of Death Row Records, Inc., as lead counsel, in numerous adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court. In re Death Row Records, Inc. (C.D. Cal.).

Major independent gospel record labels, as lead counsel, in transactional and litigation matters throughout the country.
Major independent record label, as co-trial counsel, in one of the first in a series of copyright infringement lawsuits against digital music distributors. Obtained favorable settlement on first day of trial. TVT v. MP3.com Inc. (S.D.N.Y.).

Experian, as lead appellate counsel, in copyright and trade secret matter involving issue of copyrightability and trade secret protection of marketing databases (9th Circuit).

Perspectives

June 3, 2024

Managing IP Recognizes 21 Arnold & Porter Lawyers as IP Stars; Fishman Named to “Top 250 Women in IP” List

February 9, 2024

WTR 1000 2024 Recognizes Arnold & Porter’s Trademark Capabilities

May 31, 2023

Managing IP Recognizes 20 Arnold & Porter Attorneys as IP Stars; Fishman Named to “Top 250 Women in IP”

February 14, 2023

WTR 1000 2023 Recognizes Arnold & Porter’s Trademark Capabilities

October 24, 2022

Arnold & Porter Wins Appeal Affirming $2M Planned Parenthood Victory

Recognition

The Legal 500 US

Intellectual Property: Copyright (2018–2019, 2021–2022)
General Commercial Disputes (2021)

Managing Intellectual Property

"Trademark Star" (California) (2023-2024)
"Copyright Star" (California) (2023-2024)
"IP Star"(California) (2013-2022)
"Top 250 Women in IP" (2014, 2017-2021)

World Trademark Review 1000

Enforcement and Litigation (CA) (2013–2024)

Education

J.D., University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
B.A., Political Science, Stanford University

Admissions

California

Activities

Member, National Board of Directors, A Better Chance, Inc.
Former Board Member, Western Center on Law and Poverty
Former Board Member, Los Angeles County Bar Foundation
Member, Board of Trustees, The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, CT)

Overview