Oliver Rocos

Oliver Rocos joined Bird Marella in 2019, having spent five years practicing law at two top tier law firms in addition to three years as a barrister in London, England.

He has represented a broad range of individuals, media, technology, and financial industry clients in complex commercial disputes involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, negligence, and employment claims, as well as in securities and regulatory actions. Oliver is admitted to practice in California, New York, and England & Wales, and regularly litigates in state and federal court, as well as in arbitration proceedings.

Education & Admissions

Boston University School of Law, L.L.M., 2013
College of Law, Postgraduate Diploma, 2008
Cardiff University, L.L.B., Senior Status, 2007
Cardiff University, B.A., 2005

California, 2017
New York, 2013
England and Wales, 2008

Notable Matters

Obtained dismissal of an antitrust counterclaim brought by subscription-based audio streaming service Pandora against client Word Collections, Inc., a performing rights collection agency that represents songwriters (including Metallica) and comedians (including Billy Crystal, Bill Hicks, and Jerry Seinfeld) and licenses their copyrighted works to streaming services and digital broadcasters.

Obtained preliminary injunction in a pro bono class action lawsuit against federal prison over the inefficient measures taken by prison officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Successfully convinced the court to require prison officials to consider all medically vulnerable, non-violent prisoners and those over the age of 50 for home confinement.

Awards & Recognition

Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Entertainment and Sports Law, Best Lawyers®, 2022
Humanitarian Award, American Civil Liberties Union, 2021
Outstanding Pro Bono Award, Iranian American Bar Association, 2018
Innovation in Legal Work in Latin America, 2016

Publications

Co-Author, “Ninth Circuit Applies Omnicare to Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 Claims,” with Joshua Hamilton and James Moon, May 2017

News & Insights

Oliver Rocos and Cravath Swaine & Moore Defeat Pandora’s Multi-Million Dollar Antitrust Counterclaim in Comedy Copyright Licensing Suit

With co-counsel Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, principal Oliver Rocos obtained dismissal of an antitrust counterclaim brought by subscription-based audio streaming service Pandora against his client Word Collections, …

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Bird Marella Obtains Class Action Relief for Lompoc Federal Inmates Over COVID-19 Measures

In partnership with the Prison Law Office and the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU SoCal), Bird Marella obtained approval of a class action settlement in …

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Benjamin Gluck and Ariel Neuman Named Lawyers of the Year as 20 Bird Marella Attorneys Recognized Among the 2023 Best Lawyers in America®

Bird Marella is proud to announce the inclusion of 20 lawyers in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch by U.S. News. Benjamin …

Friday, August 19, 2022

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