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Jay Spillane


Jay Spillane
Spillane Trial Group

A college roommate used to rib me about my last name, likening it to Ricky Ricardo’s signature phrase “Lucy, you’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do.” As I mused about launching a blog to explain my philosophy about both litigation and client relations, this memory flooded back and instantly suggested the blog’s handle, “Spillane it To Me.”

Most of you know my practice focuses mainly on “bet-the-company” litigation for entrepreneurs, usually individuals or privately held companies. Despite their acumen and sophistication, most of my clients don’t face litigation on an ongoing basis; in fact, many are facing their first significant lawsuit as either a plaintiff or a defendant. As a result, they depend on me as their lawyer to ensure they clearly understand their rights, legal exposure and the full range of possible outcomes. I strive to do that well so I can get my clients back to business as usual.

“Spillane It To Me” springs from that desire to make high-stakes litigation more “user-friendly.” I invite you to follow me as I “Spillane” it to a larger audience through my legal blog.

468 N. Camden Drive
Second Floor
Beverly Hills, CA
90210-4507
(t) 424.347.8591
(f) 888.590.1683

spillaneplc.com
About Jay Spillane

Why Do LA Copyright Cases Go to Federal Court?

Federal Court Holds Exclusive Power Over Copyright Disputes When a major studio discovers unauthorized use of their $5 million production, or a software company finds their proprietary code copied by a competitor, the path to justice leads to only one destination: federal court. This jurisdictional requirement isn’t a suggestion or …
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$914M in 2025 LA Fire Claims: When You Need an Insurance Attorney

When Fire Insurance Companies Don’t Keep Their Promises As of January 16, 2025, the devastating Eaton Fire alone has destroyed 5,718 structures and damaged another 679 across Los Angeles County, leaving thousands of residents facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. While insurance should be your safety net during …
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High Stakes Entertainment Litigation – Lessons Learned

Spillane Trial Group was delighted to be selected to defend Cross Creek, a top independent film producer whose first effort was Academy Award winner “Black Swan,” in a case eminently heading toward trial filed by French entertainment giant Studiocanal. A Cross Creek entity had contracted with Studiocanal to pay $5 …
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Cross-Examination Revisited

Some years ago, I blogged about “Effective Cross-Examination at Trial.” I stand by those comments, but my technique has evolved. Some of my colleagues cross from a word-for-word script, including full printouts of the impeaching testimony or exhibit, but I prefer a simple outline, to make the cross more organic …
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Direct Examination – Fact Witnesses

Your client’s case is presented primarily through “direct” examinations, those where your witnesses tell your side of the story in their words. Advance Planning Before meeting with your witnesses to prepare, you should have developed your case “theme,” possibly through a mock jury. This is a plainspoken statement of why …
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Jury De-Selection

The trial phase that takes place before opening statements and presentation of evidence is popularly referred to as jury “selection.” This is a misnomer. The parties do not “select” jurors who will hear their case. Rather, after several rounds of vetting by courthouse staff and the judge, potential jurors are …
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