Meet Our Firm

PARTNER

Richard Charnley

Richard L. Charnley is known nationally for his work in areas of intellectual property, media and entertainment. His first chair trial expertise is regularly sought by studios, television networks, producers, insurers and public figures. With a background in business and finance, Richard also focuses on matters involving professional errors and omissions, EPLI, D&O, lending institutions, title companies and real estate practitioners

He is often retained/appointed by media and entertainment carriers for defense of cases involving Buss issues, reservations, declinations and to monitor cases for excess exposure. Previously a partner with the Los Angeles office of a national firm, Richard is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the American Bar Association Entertainment and Sports Forum. Richard has been acknowledged by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Entertainment Attorneys” in the United States and is peer-rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been repeatedly recognized by the prestigious ranking company Chambers and Partners in the area of “Media and Entertainment” and selected by California Super Lawyers magazine annually since 2005. Mr. Charnley’s more prominent publications include:

 

  • “The Elephant in the Living Room” — The Crash of Real Property Value; and,
  • “‘Borat’ Judge Not Likely to High-Five Fraud Suit”, The Hollywood Reporter, Esq.

Richard has addressed many professional associations. His recent audiences include:

  • The Risk and Insurance Management Society – International Meetings, Entertainment Section;
  • The American Bar Association Entertainment Section (Enforcing Profit Participations);
  • The American Bar Association Entertainment/Sports Forum: Internet Defamation Issues;
  • The American Bar Association Entertainment/Sports Forum: Effective Arbitration Management.

Richard was the Charter President of the Los Angeles Westside Sunrise Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

BAR & COURT ADMISSIONS

  • California Bar
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
  • US Court of Federal Claims
  • US Tax Court

PARTNER

Annie Rian

Founding partner Annie Rian is a native of Portland, Oregon. She received her Bachelor of Science and her J.D. from the University of Oregon. Prior to forming Charnley Rian, Ms. Rian was an associate with national firms. Annie’s practice has focused primarily on entertainment litigation, representing clients in both state and federal courts in California and New York.

She also managed a multi-million dollar portfolio of distressed real estate, supervising foreclosure efforts throughout the country.

 

Annie is fiercely dedicated to providing her clients with a superior level of representation and brings a unique perspective to the management of each matter. She invests time and energy to ensure that she fully understands her clients’ ultimate goals in litigation and the means by which her clients hope to achieve their goals.

Annie has extensive trial and arbitration experience. As a result of her exceptional representation and her assistance in obtaining an award for her clients in excess of $12 million, in 2012, Annie was recognized by the City of Lancaster for her excellence in advocacy.

BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS

  • California State Bar
  • New York State Bar
  • New Jersey State Bar
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office Bar
  • US Tax Court

OF COUNSEL 

Ashley Bhole

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She also managed a multi-million dollar portfolio of distressed real estate, supervising foreclosure efforts throughout the country.

 

Annie is fiercely dedicated to providing her clients with a superior level of representation and brings a unique perspective to the management of each matter. She invests time and energy to ensure that she fully understands her clients’ ultimate goals in litigation and the means by which her clients hope to achieve their goals.

Annie has extensive trial and arbitration experience. As a result of her exceptional representation and her assistance in obtaining an award for her clients in excess of $12 million, in 2012, Annie was recognized by the City of Lancaster for her excellence in advocacy.

BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS

  • California State Bar
  • New York State Bar
  • New Jersey State Bar
  • United States Patent and Trademark Office Bar
  • US Tax Court

PARALEGAL 

Lauren Ewing

Lauren has over 10 years of experience assisting attorneys, including 8 years as a Litigation Paralegal.  She has worked on matters in numerous practice areas/industries.  She’s assisted  with attorney representation of clients who vary in size from individuals to large corporations.  She’s worked on matters in state, federal, appellate, bankruptcy, and supreme courts.  Her expertise includes the processing, drafting and revising of documents including forms, pleadings, motion papers, notices,  correspondence, and discovery requests/responses; she has experience with e-discovery, trial prep, deposition summaries, docketing, cite checking, and legal research.

Lauren has been with Charnley Rian since it’s inception.  She supports all areas of the firm’s practice, partnering with firm Counsel in all aspects of Litigation from pre-litigation claims and investigation to judgment collections and case dismissals.   

Industries

  • Business Litigation
  • Entertainment Litigation
  • Bankruptcy
  • Personal Injury-Elder law
  • Consumer
  • Employment

Education

  • California State University, Los Angels

Bachelor of Arts, Communications

Certifications

  • University of California, Los Angeles

Paralegal Studies Certificate

  • California Notary Public
  • US Tax Court