
Yakub Hazzard is the Vice Chair of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp and former Co-Chair of the Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Hazzard specializes in litigating high-profile matters involving intellectual property, right of publicity, privacy, breach of contract, profit participation, commercial disputes, and other media & entertainment-related conflicts across a wide range of industries. He has also handled employment litigation matters for clients. Yakub began his career at MSK in the 1990s, developing his entertainment litigation practice as the firm was representing the Recording Industry Association of America in the Napster dispute. Over his career, he has represented an array of entertainment industry clients, including Berry Gordy, the Ray Charles Foundation, Incubus, Weezer, NBCUniversal, Universal Music Group, Starz Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment in litigation spanning copyright, trademark, right of publicity and contracts. His clients have also included foreign distributors and leading video game companies. At NBCUniversal, his most recent role, Mr. Hazzard handled all profit participation audits and litigation for the companyโs television, film and consumer products businesses. In addition, Mr. Hazzard oversaw copyright, trademark and general litigation matters brought by or against NBCUniversal.