Japan is not the first place you think of when you bring up the sport of surfing. But in the little town of Hyuga, a southern port city in the Kyushu region, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Pristine beaches, popular surfing spots, no frills. It’s also where you would have found Jake Albertson teaching English in 2006.

After graduating with a degree in Sociology from Brown University, Jake took some time before attending law school seeking simplicity in his life. While his surroundings in Hyuga were picture-perfect, Jake’s inability to communicate effectively in Japanese made his day-to-day experience exceedingly complex. Life in Japan forced Jake to change the way he thought about language and communication. He learned how to hone the all-important skill of keeping it simple. 

During his year in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program, Jake taught English to 9th & 10th graders, coached students preparing for English-speaking competitions, and eventually became conversant in Japanese – nothing fancy, just enough to get by. Jake also made a name for himself as the worst karate student his dojo had ever seen, a nightmare at the karaoke bar (tone-deaf and loud), and the only adult in town who biked with a helmet on.

Jake has never forgotten the important lessons that Hyuga taught him about effective communication, and he continues to practice the art of simple today. Fortunately for all of us, his karaoke days are (mostly) behind him.

Legal Expertise

Jake Albertson is the Managing Partner of MSK’s New York office. He has extensive experience in all stages of litigation and arbitration, including trials in state and federal courts, hearings before the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), and arbitration proceedings before JAMS and AAA.  He represents companies and individuals in a broad range of industries, including film and television, music, media, and technology.  Jake’s practice focuses on complex and intersecting issues relating to intellectual property, the First Amendment, employment law, and commercial disputes.

Representative Matters

Employment Litigation 

• Obtained dismissal of discrimination and related tort claims by a former participant in a reality television series in New York state court.  Successfully argued for the application of New York’s anti-SLAPP law to defeat the plaintiff’s claims and obtain an award of attorneys’ fees.
• Obtained dismissal of discrimination, retaliation, and RICO claims by a former participant in a reality television series in New York federal court.  Successfully argued that the defendants’ alleged misconduct that related to the creation of the television show was protected by the First Amendment.

• On behalf of a group of film and television production companies, obtained dismissal of a putative class action brought under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws.
• Represent producers, distributors, and broadcasters in multiple employment lawsuits brought by former participants in an enormously popular reality television franchise.

• Defend a television production company against hybrid LMRA Section 301/duty of fair representation and Title VII claims in federal court.
• Represent a Broadway production in a federal court case involving claims of reverse discrimination.
• Represent a multinational mass media and entertainment company in a putative class action brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act and related state laws.

• Obtained dismissal of multiple federal and state discrimination and retaliation claims on behalf of media and entertainment companies. 

Commercial Litigation 

• Defeated a putative class action lawsuit that sought rescission of a financial news publisher’s subscription fees based on purported violations of the Investment Advisers Act and related state statutes.  Successfully argued in the district court that the suit was barred by the “publisher’s exclusion,” which protects publishers of financial news from unreasonable restrictions on protected speech.  Obtained affirmance from the Second Circuit. (Lingley v. Seeking Alpha, S.D.N.Y. & 2d Cir.)

• Obtained a complete victory on behalf of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in contentious, years-long litigation over the closure of Ramsay’s Los Angeles restaurant.  At the end of a two-week trial in New York state court, the Court not only dismissed all claims against Ramsay (including the plaintiff’s demand for $10 million in damages), but also ruled in favor of Ramsay on his counterclaims, awarding over $1 million in damages and over $4 million in attorneys’ fees.  The Court rejected the plaintiff’s allegations of misconduct by Ramsay, and found that the plaintiff, not Ramsay, was dishonest, disreputable, and entirely at fault.  The trial court’s findings were upheld on appeal.  (Seibel v. Ramsay, N.Y. Sup. Ct. & 1st Dep’t)

• As lead counsel for an emerging biotechnology company in an action concerning potential disclosure of trade secret information, defeated the plaintiff’s application for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.  The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the complaint the day after the Court denied the application. 

• Obtained dismissal of claims for breach of contract and fraud on behalf of a multinational mass media and entertainment company.

• Represented one of the world’s largest chemical companies in litigation concerning force majeure declarations and other commercial disputes.

• As co-lead counsel, obtained a $4 million award for a green energy investor following a seven-day arbitration.

• Obtained dismissal with prejudice of tort claims against a golf club manufacturer and related companies.

Intellectual Property Litigation 

• On behalf of the record companies, publishers, and songwriters of a hit pop song, obtained post-trial judgment as a matter of law dismissing a copyright infringement claim.  The decision was affirmed on appeal.  (Gray v. Perry, C.D. Cal. & 9th Cir.)

• Represent a collective of producers and distributors of copyrighted television programming in proceedings before the CRB, concerning the allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties. 

• Obtained dismissal of copyright infringement claims relating to hit pop songs on behalf of major recording artists, songwriters, and record labels.

• In a dispute over music publishing rights, obtained an order of sanctions, which required opposing counsel to pay MSK’s attorneys’ fees.

Provide pro bono litigation and counseling services regarding various issues, including intellectual property, housing, and family law.

Honors & Awards

• "Client Service All-Star," BTI Consulting Group (2024-2026) 
  • BTI All-Star MVP 2026
• "Pro Bono Publico Award," Legal Aid Society (2012-2013)

Other Career Experience

• Associate, Litigation, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (2011-2016)
• Fellowship in Civil Rights Law, Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing & Feinberg LLP (2010-2011)

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Events & Speaking Engagements