Skip to main content

Nixon Peabody LLP

  • People
  • Capabilities
  • Insights
  • About
Trending Topics
    • People
    • Capabilities
    • Insights
    • About
    • Locations
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Alumni
    Practices

    View All

    • Affordable Housing
    • Community Development Finance
    • Corporate & Finance
    • Cybersecurity & Privacy
    • Entertainment & Media
    • Environmental
    • Franchising & Distribution
    • Government Investigations & White Collar Defense
    • Healthcare
    • Intellectual Property
    • International Services
    • Labor, Employment, and Benefits
    • Litigation
    • Private Wealth & Advisory
    • Project Finance
    • Public Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Regulatory & Government Relations
    Industries

    View All

    • Aviation
    • Cannabis
    • Consumer
    • Energy
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare
    • Higher Education
    • Infrastructure
    • Manufacturing
    • Nonprofit Organizations
    • Real Estate
    • Sports & Stadiums
    • Technology
    Value-Added Services

    View All

    • Alternative Fee Arrangements

      Developing innovative pricing structures and alternative fee agreement models that deliver additional value for our clients.

    • Continuing Education

      Advancing professional knowledge and offering credits for attorneys, staff and other professionals.

    • Crisis Advisory

      Helping clients respond correctly when a crisis occurs.

    • DEI Strategic Services

      Providing our clients with legal, strategic, and practical advice to make transformational changes in their organizations.

    • eDiscovery

      Leveraging law and technology to deliver sound solutions.

    • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

      We help clients create positive return on investments in people, products, and the planet.

    • Global Services

      Delivering seamless service through partnerships across the globe.

    • Innovation

      Leveraging leading-edge technology to guide change and create seamless, collaborative experiences for clients and attorneys.

    • IPED

      Industry-leading conferences focused on affordable housing, tax credits, and more.

    • Legal Project Management

      Providing actionable information to support strategic decision-making.

    • Legally Green

      Teaming with clients to advance sustainable projects, mitigate the effects of climate change, and protect our planet.

    • Nixon Peabody Trust Company

      Offering a range of investment management and fiduciary services.

    • NP Capital Connector

      Bringing together companies and investors for tomorrow’s new deals.

    • NP Second Opinion

      Offering fresh insights on cases that are delayed, over budget, or off-target from the desired resolution.

    • NP Trial

      Courtroom-ready lawyers who can resolve disputes early on clients’ terms or prevail at trial before a judge or jury.

    • Social Impact

      Creating positive impact in our communities through increasing equity, access, and opportunity.

    • Women in Dealmaking

      We provide strategic counsel on complex corporate transactions and unite dynamic women in the dealmaking arena.

    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Priya Sopori

      People
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Priya Sopori

      People

    Priya Sopori

    Partner


    • Los Angeles
    • Office+1 213.629.6165
    • psopori@nixonpeabody.com
    • Download vCard

    Introduction

    Priya Sopori’s legal savvy and deep courtroom experience—both as an award-winning veteran federal prosecutor and in private practice—enable her to provide clients with the skilled representation and counsel they need during high-stakes crisis and trial situations.

    Practice Areas

    Complex DisputesLitigationAppellateNP Trial®Government Investigations & White Collar DefenseCongressional InvestigationsCybersecurity & PrivacyExport Controls & Economic SanctionsGlobal Compliance & InvestigationsFinancial Institution InvestigationsPublic CorruptionRegulatory & Government RelationsInfrastructureSecurities & Governance LitigationIntellectual PropertyLabor, Employment & BenefitsEntertainment & MediaClass Actions & Aggregate Litigation

    /My focus

    I have over 20 years of business litigation and trial experience involving business and real estate disputes, intellectual property, copyright and trade-secret protection, licensing agreements for music and internet/television rights, international film financing and distribution, employer discrimination and sexual harassment, securities litigation, entertainment litigation, wrongful death, and white-collar crime.

    I have won numerous defense verdicts, including a multimillion-dollar employment discrimination suit against a major insurer and suits against a successful developer, a noted Hollywood studio, and other high-profile clients. I have successfully litigated the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash by the government and successfully negotiated settlements in favor of my clients. I also successfully negotiated favorable settlements in several trademark, employment, and financial litigation matters, thereby protecting my clients from lengthy, expensive lawsuits.  I also won countless motions for summary judgment against the government and corporate and individual plaintiffs and defendants.

    In addition to my trial expertise, I regularly work with clients who represent investment funds, REITs, hospitality, hedge funds, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. I often act as outside general counsel to clients by providing guidance on employment, responses to subpoenas, contractual, real estate, and intellectual property matters, as well as assisting with SEC compliance concerns, including agency and/or government investigations.

    I also regularly represent cannabis investment funds, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, and my practice touches nearly every link in the industry chain. I often act as outside general counsel to cannabis clients by providing guidance on employment, contractual, real estate, and intellectual property matters, as well as assisting with regulatory compliance concerns, including agency and/or government investigations.

    Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, I served in other private firms and as a former assistant US attorney in the Central District of California. I indicted some 45 cases, tried numerous multi-week jury trials, and successfully prosecuted federal sex crimes against women and children, white-collar fraud, and cybercrimes, obtaining convictions.

    /Representative experience

    Priya uses her experience to represent a diverse client base, including entities, individuals, and executives, in all types of litigation. The below experience includes representations from her previous law firm:

    Complex Litigation

    • Multi-week jury trial involving 900+ victims in a nationwide Ponzi scheme with multiple defendants. Convictions obtained.
    • Multi-week jury in federal court involving alleged trademark and copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets.
    • Multi-week jury trial in superior court, on behalf of a major retailer, involving breach of contract for multiple properties.
    • Multi-week jury trial in superior court, on behalf of individual defendants, involving breach of contract in a real estate case. Obtained directed verdict on all international torts.
    • Representation of private medical clinics and hedge funds in connection with United States government investigations.
    • Representation of a financial investment company in connection with business litigation.

    Employment Litigation

    • Multi-week arbitration involving employment agreement and related claims. No liability and full attorney fees ordered.
    • Multi-week jury trial, in downtown Los Angeles, involving employment discrimination and other claims against a major insurance company. Defense verdict obtained.
    • Favorable settlement after first day of trial in employment matter involving claims of wrongful termination, harassment, and related claims.
    • Obtained favorable settlement on first day of trial in federal wage and hour class action matter.
    • Obtained favorable settlement one week before trial on federal employment claims resulting from successful motions in limine.
    • Obtained favorable settlement on first day of trial on wrongful termination and related employment claims.
    • Representation of a luxury development company in employment-related litigation.
    • Representation of financial services companies in employment-related litigation.

    High-Profile Talent & Entertainment Litigation 

    • Obtained summary judgment on contract claims brought against a major studio. Appellate court affirmed grant of summary judgment.
    • Demurred and obtained dismissal with prejudice of plaintiff's tort claims brought against a major production company.
    • Representation of anonymous Seeking Alpha blogger “Aurelius” in multiple federal court disputes to determine Aurelius’ true identity.
    • Representation of high-profile talent in connection with family matters, media relations, and government investigations.
    • Representation of celebrity-owned television network in multiple employment litigation matters, including recently obtained summary judgment on employment claims involving sexual harassment, disability discrimination and related claims.

    Real Estate Litigation

    • Obtained summary judgment against the government on civil claims related to real estate deal.
    • Obtained summary judgment in favor of major development company on trade dress and breach of contract claims in which plaintiffs claimed defendant stole their design.

    Cannabis Litigation

    • Settled favorably with a dismissal with prejudice in favor of a celebrity-owned cannabis brand (one of the highest-grossing stores in Los Angeles) in a contentious business dispute with another shareholder.
    • Represented the manufacturer/distributor of the extremely popular cannabis brand in a dispute in Federal Court in the Southern District of New York by the purported owner of the “New York Cannabis” mark for claims of trademark infringement (Lanham Act and common law) and unfair competition resulting from the unauthorized use of the client’s logo on the website by an unrelated party that purported to offer cannabis “snack boxes.”
    • Prevailed on a motion for summary judgment on behalf of a commercial real estate brokerage. The city attorney filed a civil suit against the client alleging that the client “leased” space, or otherwise aided and abetted in leasing space, to an unlicensed cannabis operator.
    • Represented cannabis distributor in potential dispute with insurance company regarding policy coverage and loss as a result of a burglary at its cannabis manufacturing facility.

    /Looking ahead

    The new administration is likely to influence white-collar matters. In the past, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice investigated/prosecuted more Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and fraud matters than other administrations.

    /In the news

    • Reuters Legal

      Daily Docket

      This roundup article of recent hirings and promotions across the legal industry highlights the arrival of Priya, as well as New York City and Chicago Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Ted Wolff, a member of NP’s Environmental team.

      Feb 7, 2025
    • Law360

      Nixon Peabody adds partner from Greenberg Glusker

      The following article covers the NP arrival of Los Angeles Complex Disputes partner Priya Sopori. Priya is quoted in the coverage, discussing what she looks forward to at NP and how the firm’s platform will benefit her clients and practice.

      Feb 6, 2025
    • Bloomberg Law

      Nixon Peabody taps Priya Sopori as complex disputes partner

      The following article covers the NP arrival of Los Angeles Complex Disputes partner Priya Sopori. Priya is quoted in the coverage, discussing what she looks forward to at NP and how the firm’s platform will benefit her clients and practice.

      Feb 6, 2025

    /Admitted to practice

    California
    U.S. District Court, Central District of California

    /Education

    University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
    University of Pennsylvania, B.A.

    /Professional activities

    • Women in Media, President of the Board
    • Diavolo Dance, Board Member
    • International Cannabis Bar Association
    • South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, Executive Board Member/Treasurer (2017–2018)
    • South Asian Bar Association of Southern California, Board Member (2014)
    • South Asian Bar Association of North America, Southern California Representative (2015, 2016)
    • British-American Project, US Executive Committee (2016–2018)
    • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Attorney Mentor
    • La Verne College of Law, Adjunct Professor (2014)
    • Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Board Member (2001)

    /Recognition

    • Southern California Super Lawyers – Business Litigation 2016–2024
    • Lawyers of Color, "Law Firm Leaders” 2022
    • Los Angeles Business Journal, “Minorities of Influence: Attorneys” 2021
    • Chambers USA, “Leading Lawyer – Cannabis Law” 2022–2024
    • Cannabis Law Report & Cannabis Law Journal, “Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers” 2023
    • Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal, "Top Cannabis Lawyer" 2022
    • National Law Journal, "Cannabis Law Trailblazers" 2020

    Insights And Happenings

    View All
    • Press Release

      Nixon Peabody taps veteran litigator Priya Sopori on West Coast

      Feb 5, 2025
    View All

    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • John Ruskusky

      Partner / Practice Group Leader, Complex Disputes
      • Chicago
      • Office:+1 312.977.4460
        Mobile:+1 708.606.8720
      • jtruskusky@nixonpeabody.com
      John Ruskusky
    • Daniel J. Hurteau

      Office Managing Partner / Deputy Practice Group Leader, Complex Disputes
      • New York City
      • Office:+1 518.427.2652
      • dhurteau@nixonpeabody.com
      Daniel J. Hurteau
    • Joseph J. Ortego

      Partner / Chair, NP Trial / Leader, Aviation
      • New York City
      • Office:+1 212.940.3045
      • jortego@nixonpeabody.com
      Joseph J. Ortego
    • Carolyn G. Nussbaum

      Senior Counsel
      • Rochester
      • Office:+1 585.263.1558
        Mobile:+1 585.766.1480
      • cnussbaum@nixonpeabody.com
      Carolyn G. Nussbaum
    • Christopher M. Mason

      Partner / Deputy Leader, Class Actions & Aggregate Litigation / Leader, Arbitration Team
      • New York City
      • Office:+1 212.940.3017
      • cmason@nixonpeabody.com
      Christopher M. Mason
    View All

    Subscribe to stay informed of the latest legal news, alerts, and business trends.Subscribe

    • People
    • Capabilities
    • Insights
    • About
    • Locations
    • Events
    • Careers
    • Alumni
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Statement of Client Rights
    • Purchase Order Terms & Conditions
    • Nixon Peabody International LLC
    • PAL
    © 2025 Nixon Peabody. All rights reserved