Mandavia Ephraim + Burg LLP is dedicated to providing vigorous representation of our clients in all aspects of their disputes and potential disputes in the motion picture, television and new media fields.

Prior to founding Mandavia Ephraim + Burg LLP, Anji was a partner for 25 years with the prominent Beverly Hills entertainment firm of Weissmann Wolff Bergman Coleman Grodin & Evall, LLP, where she represented leading entertainment industry companies and individuals.

Significant appellate matters Anji has been involved with include representing DC Comics in DC Comics v. Winter, which resulted in a major California Supreme Court opinion regarding First Amendment rights and the right of publicity, and representing Scholastic Entertainment Inc. in an important published Ninth Circuit decision concerning federal copyright jurisdiction. Recently, Anji has successfully prosecuted a video game royalty dispute on behalf of a major studio and has successfully defended against a substantial profit participation claim instituted by a prominent production company in connection with a rent-a-system distribution deal.

Anji graduated with distinction from Stanford University in 1977 with a degree in Philosophy, and obtained her J.D. in 1980 from Boalt Hall School of Law of the University of California, Berkeley. She currently serves on the Board of HealthRIGHT360, a non-profit organization which provides primary medical care, substance abuse treatment, and serves as a resource center for underserved communities and individuals.

Through extensive work in significant profit participation cases, primarily on behalf of major studios, Julie has developed a specialty in complex entertainment accounting matters, and has helped her leading entertainment industry clients achieve favorable results at trial and in arbitration.

Since joining Mandavia Ephraim + Burg LLP, Julie has successfully prosecuted and defended a video game royalty dispute on behalf of a major studio, and successfully defended a major studio against a substantial profit participation claim initiated by a prominent production company. And while at Weissmann Wolff, Julie successfully represented studios in numerous accounting matters, including claims arising out of the home video distribution of a classic motion picture, the licensing of television and home entertainment rights in another classic film, the worldwide distribution of a motion picture, and the sale of advertising of a television series.

David spent ten years with NBCUniversal as its Senior Vice President, Litigation and as Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel for the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, where he oversaw all litigation globally for the Universal Studios Film and Theme Park businesses – including matters involving copyright, trademark, patent, profit participation, defamation, rights of privacy and publicity, idea submission, consumer class actions, land use, facilities and construction, employment, and personal injury. He was a trusted advisor to senior executives and lawyers throughout these businesses who relied on him for prompt, straightforward, practical, and business-facing advice on a myriad of legal, strategic, contractual, clearance, and risk mitigation challenges faced by a diversified entertainment company. In a published statement to the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Ron Meyer – former President of Universal Studios and Vice-Chairman of NBCUniversal – lauded David as “one of the best litigators I’ve ever known. He’s been extraordinary for the company, and he’s taken some very difficult situations and dealt with them quickly and efficiently.”

Prior to moving in-house David had a diverse business litigation practice – focusing on contractual and accounting disputes, intellectual property, real estate and partnership matters, employment, and land use – which he resumed after he decided to return to private practice in 2016. Over the course of his career David has handled a wide variety of matters for motion picture studios, television networks, production companies, distributors, artists, real estate developers and owners, retailers, restaurateurs, financial institutions, and other large and small businesses and entrepreneurs. He has first-chair experience in numerous trials and arbitrations, has argued appeals in federal and state court, and has handled all aspects of injunctions, motion practice, attachments, discovery, insurance, and settlement.

David began his legal career as a litigation associate with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in Los Angeles. He continued his developing business, entertainment, and employment litigation practice with Weissmann Wolff Bergman Coleman Grodin & Evall, then a prominent entertainment boutique in Beverly Hills, where for many years he worked closely with Anji and Julie. David later engaged Anji and Julie for a number of significant matters when he served as the in-house Head of Litigation for Universal Studios, and David was gratified to rejoin Anji and Julie in 2019 to form Mandavia Ephraim + Burg.

In 2021, David and his family moved to Monmouth County in central New Jersey. David soon passed the New Jersey bar exam and became licensed to practice in the Garden State, giving Mandavia Ephraim + Burg a permanent presence on the East Coast. Nevertheless, David continues his active California litigation practice even while living in New Jersey using the remote court appearance rules and technologies initially implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.(David travels to California, at his own expense, whenever necessary for his clients and matters). Taking advantage of these modern systems has improved efficiency and significantly reduced costs for firm clients

David received a BA in History from UCLA, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and he then paused his education for several years to perform rock music – which he continues to enjoy to this day – before attending the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), where David obtained his JD and was a member of the California Law Review.

Former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn appointed David to the City Planning Commission, and David served there for several years including as its President. During David’s tenure the City Planning Commission made a number of significant decisions facilitating the modern redevelopment of Downtown Los Angeles. He also was an original elected member of the Studio City Neighborhood Council, and is Past President of Congregation Adat Ari El in his native San Fernando Valley. David now volunteers with the lay leadership of Congregation Agudath Israel in Freehold, New Jersey.