Manatt Expands Consumer Protection and Advertising Capabilities in D.C. With Accomplished Litigator

Bezalel Stern brings an established record of success representing clients in Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings and before the National Advertising Division (NAD) and the National Advertising Review Board (NARB)

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, announced today the addition of Consumer Protection and Advertising Partner Bezalel (Bez) Stern in the Firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Stern’s background representing clients before regulatory agencies such as the FTC as well as his vast litigation experience and work involving advertising disputes and regulatory enforcement matters further deepen Manatt’s national bench of professionals assisting clients on a wide range of regulatory, investigatory, compliance, transactional and litigation matters across the complex world of consumer protection and advertising.

“Manatt’s greatest strength is our professional services and cross-industry model, which involves effectively advising clients with a business-centric lens through their maze of legal and regulatory challenges and opportunities,” said Donna L. Wilson, CEO and Managing Partner of Manatt. “Our Consumer Protection and Advertising practice is a prime example of this since clients across our platform need a sophisticated understanding of the ever-evolving industry convergences and regulatory changes that shape virtually all related advertising activity. We’re thrilled to build upon these capabilities through Bez’s impressive background and leadership.”

In addition to his advocacy on behalf of major companies before some of the most influential self-regulatory bodies in advertising, including the NARB and the NAD, Stern has extensive experience with regulatory enforcement, post-regulatory litigation and appeals, and advertising disputes. He represents clients in complicated matters at every level of state, federal and appellate courts as well as before arbitral venues such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and JAMS. Stern’s practice covers media and advertising, antitrust, communications and emerging technologies, class action defense, commercial litigation, and internal investigations.

“Bez is a natural fit for our leading consumer protection team, where we advise world-class companies on everything from negotiating favorable settlements in sensitive government investigations to counseling on the successful rollout of multichannel marketing and advertising campaigns, and also guiding clients through some of the most high-impact government enforcement actions and industry litigation in recent years,” said Manatt Consumer Protection and Advertising Leader Christine Reilly. “Bez’s experience handling complex disputes paired with his impressive track record representing companies involved in FTC proceedings and investigations will prove invaluable for our clients, and we are so excited for him to join.”

Stern has represented well-known telecommunications companies in advertising and regulatory matters, and he has a strong understanding of the communication industry’s current landscape and future direction. Within this sector, he is especially knowledgeable on matters related to emerging technologies, including the continuing evolution of 5G and FCC spectrum auctions and disputes. Stern has also worked on environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related initiatives, assisting clients in navigating an increasingly complex landscape as the FTC and other agencies continue to prioritize environmental and other emerging areas of compliance. He is also a dedicated pro bono advocate and has successfully represented several young immigrants who came to the United States without their parents, assisting them in obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

“Manatt is a litigation powerhouse with a stellar reputation representing clients in advertising matters across law and business, and I’m excited to work alongside my new colleagues as we help our clients navigate a variety of disputes involving arbitrations, investigations and enforcement actions both inside and outside the courtroom,” said Stern.

Joining Stern today in Manatt’s Washington, D.C., office is Nick Bath, who arrives as a partner in the Firm’s Health group. Stern and Bath are the latest additions to Manatt this year, following closely on the heels of Government and Regulatory Partner Cassie Prugh and Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement Counsel Sherli Furst, as well as Manatt Health National Advisor Dr. Troyen (Troy) A. Brennan and Director Tracy A. Massel. Other recent hires have joined the Firm’s various practices, including Antitrust and Competition (David Reichenberg); Health Care and Life Sciences (Zoe Barnard, Cynthia Bero, Alice B. Leiter and Tara R. Straw); Impact Investing and Community Development (Corenia Riley Burlingame, John Dalton and Sameer Patel); Real Estate (Lynn Cadwalader); and Tax, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation (John J. Heber).

Stern received his J.D. from Columbia Law School and his B.A. in English and American literature and Near Eastern and Judaic studies from Brandeis University. He also served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Jonathan Goodman, Southern District of Florida.

About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is a leading professional services firm, providing integrated legal and consulting services to a global client base. With offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, Sacramento and Silicon Valley), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the Firm represents sophisticated clients — including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies — across a range of industry sectors such as health care; financial services; entertainment; digital and technology; and energy, environmental and real estate. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.

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