Allan B. Gelbard, Esq. retired from the practice of law on December 31, 2026. This site remains active for historic and informational purposes only.
Mr. Gelbard was a solo practitioner based in Encino, California. His practice focused on First Amendment, media law, intellectual property, entertainment law and civil litigation in Federal and California court. Representing numerous production and internet companies, producers, directors, publishers, actors, musicians and D.J.s, he is well known and respected as one of the nations' premiere entertainment lawyers.
Mr. Gelbard provided counsel in all aspects of the entertainment industry, including state and federal litigation, criminal defense, transactional matters, federal records keeping compliance, internet domain disputes, administrative proceedings, and the protection and licensing of copyrights and trademarks.
Mr. Gelbard was the National Chair of the First Amendment Lawyer's Association (September of 2021 - 2022), and President of Consensuality, Inc. (2018-2021, 2023), a California 501(c)(3) that teaches sexual consent culture. He is a founding member of the Electronic Music Alliance. He previously served a two year term as a board member of the Free Speech Coalition, and later represented the association. On behalf of the Free Speech Coalition, he drafted legislation which was subsequently enacted in California as Penal Code Section 1536.5, which allows businesses whose records are seized pursuant to a search warrant to obtain copies of the records through a judicial proceeding. He also previously sat on the board of the Los Angeles League of Arts.
Mr. Gelbard opened his practice in December of 1996. Mr. Gelbard was a member of the State Bar of California, as well as the Bars of the United States District Courts for the Central, Southern and Northern Districts of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Mr. Gelbard has been featured in numerous national and local publications including The Daily Journal, The National Law Journal, California Lawyer, The Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. He was a frequent speaker and panelist at professional conferences and has lectured at law schools, universities, and music festivals. He is also an accomplished musician, recording engineer, and music producer.
Mr. Gelbard was a solo practitioner based in Encino, California. His practice focused on First Amendment, media law, intellectual property, entertainment law and civil litigation in Federal and California court. Representing numerous production and internet companies, producers, directors, publishers, actors, musicians and D.J.s, he is well known and respected as one of the nations' premiere entertainment lawyers.
Mr. Gelbard provided counsel in all aspects of the entertainment industry, including state and federal litigation, criminal defense, transactional matters, federal records keeping compliance, internet domain disputes, administrative proceedings, and the protection and licensing of copyrights and trademarks.
Mr. Gelbard was the National Chair of the First Amendment Lawyer's Association (September of 2021 - 2022), and President of Consensuality, Inc. (2018-2021, 2023), a California 501(c)(3) that teaches sexual consent culture. He is a founding member of the Electronic Music Alliance. He previously served a two year term as a board member of the Free Speech Coalition, and later represented the association. On behalf of the Free Speech Coalition, he drafted legislation which was subsequently enacted in California as Penal Code Section 1536.5, which allows businesses whose records are seized pursuant to a search warrant to obtain copies of the records through a judicial proceeding. He also previously sat on the board of the Los Angeles League of Arts.
Mr. Gelbard opened his practice in December of 1996. Mr. Gelbard was a member of the State Bar of California, as well as the Bars of the United States District Courts for the Central, Southern and Northern Districts of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Mr. Gelbard has been featured in numerous national and local publications including The Daily Journal, The National Law Journal, California Lawyer, The Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. He was a frequent speaker and panelist at professional conferences and has lectured at law schools, universities, and music festivals. He is also an accomplished musician, recording engineer, and music producer.