Zia F. Modabber

Zia F. Modabber brings more than thirty-five years of national trial and appellate experience to his work as a mediator, offering a rare combination of strategic insight, calm leadership, and deep familiarity with high-stakes disputes. Known for his ability to navigate business concerns, sensitive personalities, and reputational consequences, he helps parties evaluate risk, understand one another’s perspectives, and move toward resolution with clarity and purpose. His approach is grounded in preparation, thoughtful communication, and an intuitive understanding of the human dynamics that shape conflict.

Zia’s work as a mediator is informed by decades representing world-renowned artists and public figures, media and entertainment companies, and executives in complex and often emotionally-charged matters. He understands the pressures that accompany creative, business, and public-facing disputes, as well as the complex considerations that often influence decision-making behind the scenes. This allows him to read a room, build rapport with participants at all levels, and deliver candid guidance with sensitivity and respect.

His mediation style centers on listening first, engaging directly, and helping parties explore both the legal and practical realities of their positions. He believes that mediation works best when participants are heard and understood, and he creates a setting where parties can examine risk honestly without being boxed in or dismissed. When called for, he is also able to apply focused pressure to help move parties through impasse, doing so with a steady, thoughtful approach that encourages progress rather than resistance. This balanced combination of calm presence and firm guidance has made him a trusted resource in resolving challenging disputes that involve substantial financial, personal, or reputational stakes.

Widely regarded as a leader in entertainment law, Zia has been named to Billboard Magazine’s annual “Top Music Lawyers” list for seven consecutive years and honored by The American Lawyer in 2021 as a “Media and Entertainment Trailblazer.” He has also been recognized by, among others, Best Lawyers in America from 2010 to 2026, Chambers USA from 2022 to 2025, and The Legal 500 United States from 2017 to 2025 for his work in entertainment and sports, business litigation, and intellectual property litigation.

Prior to becoming a full-time mediator, Zia served as Managing Partner of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP’s California offices and Chair of the firm’s Media and Entertainment Litigation Practice. As a trial and appellate lawyer, he handled matters involving copyright and trademark claims, right of publicity and defamation, partnership and accounting disputes, labor and employment issues, and complex commercial litigation. His work often required the discretion, diplomacy, and long-term strategic judgment necessary to protect his clients in the public eye.

Zia’s clients have included iconic artists and industry leaders such as Michael Jackson personally and his Estate, Stevie Wonder, André 3000, and countless other household names. He has also represented Live Nation, most of the major record and publishing companies, Insomniac, and Lance Armstrong. He has represented Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails for more than twenty years, functioning as Trent’s outside general counsel advising on all aspects of his professional life including Nine Inch Nails, his award-winning film and television projects, his relationships with outside professionals, and his overall business operations. Zia’s ability to earn and maintain trust over decades reflects his integrity, discretion, and commitment to understanding the people behind the disputes he handles.

In his mediation practice, Zia focuses on entertainment and media disputes, intellectual property matters, First Amendment and defamation claims, right of publicity, labor and employment issues, partnership and fiduciary duty conflicts, and other complex commercial litigation.

Zia received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley and his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. He began his legal career at Wyman, Bautzer, Kuchel and Silbert before joining Katten in 1991. He has also completed advanced training at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution.

At Signature Resolution, Zia brings a grounded, disciplined, and empathetic approach to mediation. His ability to understand both the legal and personal dimensions of conflict allows him to guide parties toward thoughtful, durable agreements that reflect their priorities and values.