June 2026 – Kendall Brill and Kelly (KBK) has once again been honored by Chambers & Partners USA as a Leading Firm in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (Band 1) and Media & Entertainment: Litigation (Band 2). Nine KBK attorneys also earned individual rankings as state and national leaders in Chambers USA 2026: Laura W. Brill, Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky, Bert H. Deixler, Robert E. Dugdale, Philip M. Kelly, Richard B. Kendall, Nary Kim, Janet I. Levine, and Jeffrey H. Rutherford.
Research published by Chambers described KBK as “an impressive firm with some of the best litigators in California.” Legal professionals and clients also stated that “the firm is extremely good at navigating complex and sophisticated cases to the benefit of clients.”
Seven attorneys earned repeat rankings and two Partners, Mr. Chemerinsky and Ms. Kim, were recognized for the first time this year for their respective individual practices.
Chambers honored named Partner Laura Brill (Band 3: Litigation: Appellate) for her expertise in intellectual property, constitutional, and regulatory issues. She was lauded by respondents as “an appellate lawyer of distinction.”
Partner Jeffrey Chemerinsky earned his first Chambers’ Up and Coming distinction in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations. He was commended for “representing public entities and prominent individuals in high-profile criminal matters, including bribery and misuse of public funds” and possessing “excellent insight into the workings and direction of federal prosecution offices and regulators.”
Recognized for his “pragmatic and efficient approach,” Counsel Bert Deixler (Band 2: Media & Entertainment: Litigation) continues to be highly regarded and ranked in media & entertainment, especially in the music industry.
Partner Bob Dugdale (Band 2: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) was recognized this year as “phenomenal; one of the top people you would want in any investigation,” and “extremely strategic and effective in criminal investigations.” One respondent stated they “would trust Robert with the most sensitive and highest-stakes matter imaginable.”
Named Partner Phil Kelly (Band 2: Media & Entertainment: Litigation) was praised as an “excellent lawyer with fantastic judgment” and recognized as “smart, diligent, organized, and responsive” in his representation of “major film studios, television networks and other sizeable clients.”
Founding Partner Richard Kendall (Band 1: Media & Entertainment: Litigation) was praised for his strengths in the entertainment sector, called “an incredibly experienced, highly networked, and knowledgeable attorney” for his work with film studios, television networks, and talent agencies.
Partner Nary Kim earned her first individual Chambers ranking this year as Up and Coming in Media & Entertainment: Litigation. She was recognized for her “increasingly strong entertainment and media litigation practice, with expertise in IP and anti-SLAPP disputes” and for “her experience working with significant music and production industry clients.”
Named “one of the standout trial lawyers of her generation,” Partner Janet Levine was ranked nationally (Band 2: Litigation: Trial Lawyers) and statewide (Band 1: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations), and described as “a fearsome oral advocate.”
Partner Jeff Rutherford (Band 1: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) was praised by peers and clients as “one of the best trial lawyers and advocates for individual criminal defendants in Los Angeles,” who is “a trusted referral for anyone needing high-quality criminal defense services.”
Chambers & Partners is one of the preeminent guides to the legal industry around the world, publishing annual rankings based on an extensive research process that includes nominations and thousands of interviews with counsel, partners, experts, and clients.
To view KBK’s firm-wide rankings and individual attorney profiles in Chambers USA 2026, please click here.