Featured Practices
Timothy B. Yoo is a go-to trial lawyer for companies seeking to resolve their most complex commercial matters. He specializes in technology and intellectual property disputes.
In both 2022 and 2023, the Daily Journal identified Mr. Yoo as one of the “Top Intellectual Property Lawyers” in California. He has also been recognized as an “Intellectual Property Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal and among Benchmark Litigation‘s “Under 40 Hot List” of top attorneys in the U.S. every year since 2019.
Due to his ability to understand complex technical concepts quickly and to solve complicated problems efficiently, Mr. Yoo has been sought out by clients across various industries, from emerging to global Fortune 500 companies, to handle their most significant technical matters. For example, his recent representations include the defense of the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer in an arbitration proceeding over atmospheric water generating technology, defending the world’s second-largest memory chip maker in a $175-million breach-of-contract lawsuit brought on behalf of Microsoft over the supply of DRAM chips for Xbox One, advising industry-leading OTT streaming content providers in several patent-infringement disputes across the U.S., and representing a Fortune 150 biopharmaceutical company in a contract dispute involving immunotherapy research and drug development.
Before joining Bird Marella, Mr. Yoo spent two years as the head of international disputes for Korea’s largest entertainment and media conglomerate, CJ Entertainment & Media, in Seoul, Korea. Based on that experience, a substantial portion of his current practice involves assisting Asian companies in traversing cross-border disputes and advising entertainment and technology companies on defending and asserting their intellectual property rights in the U.S. For example, Mr. Yoo currently represents global K-pop stars BTS and their record label, HYBE, as well as Kakao Entertainment, TV Chosun Corp., MBC, NHN Bugs, and others in copyright matters in the U.S.
Recent examples of Mr. Yoo’s winning briefs include:
Hynix’s Opposition to Plaintiff’s Request for Leave to Amend
Forever 21’s Motion to Transfer Venue
CJ E&M’s Motion to Dismiss for Forum Non Conveniens
Music Express’s Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims
Galaxia Electronics’ Reply In Support of Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims
Chan-Woong Park’s Reply In Support of Motion to Consolidate Cases
Education & Admissions
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., American Jurisprudence Award (Introduction to IP), 2007
- California Institute of Technology, B.S., Applied & Computational Mathematics, 2004
- California, 2007
Awards & Recognition
- Named the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Century City Bar Association, 2023
- Named Top Intellectual Property Lawyer by Daily Journal, 2022-present
- Recognized among the Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2022-2023
- Selected as “Legal Visionary,” Business of Law Magazine, Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing, 2022
- Recognized as Minority Leader of Influence: Attorneys by Los Angeles Business Journal, 2022
- Named a Southern California Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine, 2021-present
- Recognized as Intellectual Property Trailblazer by National Law Journal, 2020
- Selected for “40 and Under Hot List” by Benchmark Litigation, 2018-2022
- Named a Southern California Rising Star by Los Angeles Magazine, 2017
- Named “Top 40 under 40” in California by the Daily Journal, 2016
Notable Matters
Won copyright-infringement lawsuit on behalf of international K-pop sensation BTS and its label, HYBE Corporation. The plaintiff alleged that the idea for CJ E&M and HYBE’s reality show I-Land was stolen from a written treatment for his original television series idea. The district court granted Mr. Yoo's first motion to dismiss without giving the plaintiff leave to amend—concluding that plaintiff’s claims failed as a matter of law—and entered judgment in favor of his clients. Bryan Kahn v. CJ E&M, BTS aka Bangtan Boys, and Big Hit Entertainment Company, Case No. 2:21-cv-03230-DMG-KS (C.D. Cal).
Won copyright-infringement lawsuit in favor of a joint defense group comprised of some of South Korea’s largest media companies – Kakao Entertainment, Genie Music, NHN Bugs, TJ Media, Keum Young, MBC, and TV Chosun – concerning the works of South Korean composer Jae-Ho Lee. Successfully prevailed on successive motions to dismiss, securing a dismissal with prejudice. Beom Su Lee v. TV Chosun, et al., Case No. 2:22-cv-00933-DSF-KS (C.D. Cal.).
In 2021, successfully defended world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer as lead trial counsel in a ten-day JAMS arbitration hearing in Los Angeles, California involving atmospheric water generating technology.
Represented leading test prep and college consulting company in several trademark enforcement actions, including in a trademark opposition action before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board over a competitor’s confusingly similar trademark registration, resulting in the express abandonment with prejudice of the competitor’s mark, Elite Education Group International Inc. v. Elite Educational Advisors, LLC, TTAB Opposition No. 91270898, and a district court action against another competitor resulting in that competitor’s agreement to rebrand entirely.
As co-lead trial counsel, achieved a complete defense verdict on behalf of his client SK Hynix, the world’s second largest memory chip manufacturer, after a three-week jury trial in the Western District of Washington in a $175-million breach-of-contract lawsuit brought on behalf of the Microsoft Corporation by its subsidiary insurer. Cypress Insurance Co. v. SK Hynix America, Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-00467-RAJ (W.D. Wash.).
As lead trial counsel, recovered millions on behalf of his LED-display manufacturer client Galaxia Electronics Co., Ltd. in a breach-of-contract case. Mr. Yoo successfully petitioned the court for a Right to Attach order—an extraordinary pre-judgment remedy that allowed Galaxia to attach millions’ worth of defendants’ assets, including bank accounts and inventories. After having its bank accounts seized, the primary defendant filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Following a vigorous pursuit of the debtor in that bankruptcy action, including extensive document discovery and a Rule 2004 examination of the company’s principal, Mr. Yoo was able to secure the recovery of several millions from the debtor’s bankruptcy estate. Galaxia Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Luxmax, U.S.A., et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-05144-JAK-GJS (C.D. Cal.).
Completely defended a $50-million copyright-infringement lawsuit on behalf of his client CJ Entertainment & Media, Korea’s largest media conglomerate, concerning the distribution of “K-pop” songs in the U.S. over the Beats Music platform. Prior to the commencement of extensive international discovery, Mr. Yoo was able to get the case dismissed in its entirety based on the doctrine of forum non conveniens, which the Ninth Circuit has noted is an “exceptional” remedy that is rarely to be used. DFSB Kollective Co. Ltd. v. CJ E&M, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-01650-SVW-FFM (C.D. Cal.).
Defended ASRock America, a subsidiary of Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer Pegatron Corporation, in a patent-infringement lawsuit involving high-performance WiFi routers, resulting in a favorable settlement for his client. BE Labs, Inc. v. ASRock America, Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-2637-JAK-AS (C.D Cal.).
Successfully represented a large wireless retailer in a franchisee suit against a leading national wireless carrier. Verity Wireless, Inc. v. Sprint Solutions, Inc., 2:20-cv-02841-DSF-MRW (C.D. Cal.).
Favorably resolved a global trademark dispute on behalf of his snack-food manufacturer client World Peas Brand, the maker of Peatos™, against Frito-Lay.
Successfully defended an individual client in a trade-secrets-theft case against a tech conglomerate, resulting in the plaintiff tech company taking a license on his client’s patents (embodying the alleged trade secrets).
Served as trial counsel for leading wireless device manufacturer in a patent infringement investigation before the International Trade Commission, resulting in a determination of non-infringement and invalidity of the asserted patent. ITC Investigation (337-TA-794).
Successfully defended one of the largest American fashion retailers in a design copyright infringement lawsuit, obtaining a dismissal with prejudice before the close of fact discovery. Gold Value International Textile, Inc. v. Forever 21, Inc., 2:15-cv-07207-PSG-KS (C.D. Cal.).
News & Insights
Timothy B. Yoo Honored as Trial Lawyer of the Year by Century City Bar Association
Principal Timothy B. Yoo will be honored as the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Century City Bar Association (CCBA) at its 55th Annual Installation and Awards …
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Go to the postBird Marella Featured in Cover Story of Korea’s Top Legal Publication
Bird Marella principals Ekwan Rhow and Timothy B. Yoo are featured on the cover of Legal Times, Korea’s preeminent legal publication. The July 2023 cover story describes Mr. …
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Go to the postTimothy B. Yoo Appointed President of LACBA Counsel for Justice
Counsel for Justice, the charitable arm of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), has selected principal Timothy B. Yoo as President of its Executive Committee. The LACBA …
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Go to the postTimothy B. Yoo Named a Top Intellectual Property Lawyer by the Daily Journal for the Second Consecutive Year
Principal Timothy B. Yoo has been recognized on the Daily Journal’s list of Top Intellectual Property Lawyers for the second year in a row. Mr. Yoo’s Daily Journal …
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Go to the postBird Marella Wins Complete Dismissal of Pandora’s Multimillion-Dollar Antitrust Counterclaim in Comedy Copyright Licensing Suit
On April 5, 2023, a Bird Marella team led by principal Oliver Rocos, including principal Timothy Yoo and associate Miri Gold, with co-counsel Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, …
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Go to the postBird Marella Wins Copyright-Infringement Lawsuit for South Korea’s Largest Media Companies
Bird Marella attorneys Timothy Yoo and Christopher Jumin Lee won a judgment in favor of a joint defense group comprised of some of South Korea’s largest media companies …
Monday, November 21, 2022
Go to the postPublications
- Featured in Cover Story Interview, Legal Times, July 2023
- Author, “K-Pop to Parasite—Navigating South Korean Business Culture,” Bloomberg Law, May 2020
- Author, “Proliferation of Streaming Video Services Could Lead to Increased Regulations and Taxes on OTT Providers,” Daily Journal, April 2020
- Author, “How Streaming Video Cos. Are Challenging New Taxes,” Law360, April 2020
Associations
- President, LACBA Counsel for Justice
- Member, Council of Korean Americans
- Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), 2016