Bruce Wessel focuses his practice on representing individuals and private companies in litigation and pre-litigation matters. He has more than 30 years of experience handling matters in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals.

In addition to his commercial litigation background, Bruce has represented elected officials in redistricting litigation and has handled constitutional challenges to state statutes and ballot measures.

Bruce has extensive experience advising on free speech and defamation matters. Best Lawyers named him 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in Los Angeles for First Amendment Law. His successful representation of Globetrotter Software before the Federal Circuit has been recognized as establishing, for the first time, the connection between the First Amendment and the notification rights of intellectual property owners. 

Experience

  • Prevailed in an arbitration and valuation proceeding for three entertainment executives, recovering more than $90 million.
  • Successfully represented a minority shareholder in a state court breach of fiduciary duty proceeding, winning $6 million.
  • Confirmed license rights for a licensee in an international arbitration proceeding.

Honors & Awards

  • Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of commercial litigation, First Amendment law and media law every year since 2007 and named “Lawyer of the Year” in 2018, 2020 and 2025
  • Rated Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Publications

  • “What You Need to Know About the Defend Trade Secrets Act,” The Recorder (April 27, 2016)
  • “Senate Gridlock Causes En Banc Uncertainty,” The Recorder (July 12, 2013)
  • “Libel Claims Against Lawyers for Statements Made to the Press,” Communications Lawyer (Fall 1998)

Education

Yale Law School (J.D., 1984)

Occidental College (M.A., Urban Studies, 1984)

Coro Foundation Fellow (1977-1978)

Trinity College (B.A., 1977), with honors; Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • California, 1984
  • U.S. District Court for the Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth and Federal Circuits
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