Entertainment & Sports Law

Defense verdict for Courtney Love in ‘Twibel’ case brought by her former lawyer

Courtney Love. Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com A California jury spent three hours deliberating before rendering a defense verdict Friday in a libel lawsuit brought against Courtney Love by her former legal counsel. Lawyers for the plaintiff, attorney Rhonda Holmes of San Diego, has sought $8 million in damages in the…

Jan 27, 2014 4:50 PM CST

Oakland Raiders cheerleader sues, says she is earning less than minimum wage

An Oakland Raiders cheerleader claims in a lawsuit that the team is violating California labor laws. The would-be class action claims the team pays its Raiderette cheerleaders $1,250 at the end of the season, which amounts to less than $5 an hour when rehearsals, charity appearances and a swimsuit photo…

Jan 24, 2014 12:10 PM CST

Courtney Love testifies at first US ‘Twibel’ trial, sued by her ex-lawyer over critical tweet

Three years ago, Courtney Love paid $430,000 to settle a fashion designer’s lawsuit over a series of insulting tweets made by the singer and actress in the heat of a dispute over a $4,000 bill. Now the rock singer and actress is at trial in a California defamation suit brought…

Jan 16, 2014 8:25 PM CST

Two courts reject appeals in Michael Jackson death cases; insurance suit over $17M policy is settled

Litigation related to the death of pop singer Michael Jackson appears to be nearing a conclusion after the settlement of an insurance coverage case over a $17.5 million policy and a unanimous California appellate court ruling upholding the involuntary manslaughter conviction of his personal physician. Both were announced in court…

Jan 16, 2014 12:20 AM CST

Judge dubious about effort to seek new trial in Michael Jackson case due to confusing jury forms

Although a final ruling has not yet been made, a California judge was dubious during a Friday hearing about efforts to seek a new trial in the wrongful death case brought by Michael Jackson’s estate. Confusing jury instructions tainted the verdict in favor of a concert promoter who paid the…

Jan 3, 2014 10:20 PM CST

Entertainment industry lawyer, a former Napster exec, is killed in bike crash with cop car

An entertainment industry lawyer who was formerly chief operating officer for Napster was struck and killed while riding his bicycle on Sunday. Milton Everett Olin Jr. of Woodland Hills, Calif., was pronounced dead at the scene, report the Los Angeles Daily News and the Los Angeles Times. He was 65…

Dec 10, 2013 1:27 PM CST

Judge calls evidence against OJ Simpson ‘overwhelming,’ denies bid for new trial in robbery case

Calling the evidence against O.J. Simpson in a Las Vegas casino hotel robbery case “overwhelming,” a Nevada judge on Tuesday denied the former football star’s bid for a new trial. Rejecting Simpson’s arguments that his trial and appellate counsel were ineffective and prejudiced his case, Clark County District Judge Linda…

Nov 27, 2013 3:30 PM CST

10 former hockey players sue NHL for concussion damages

Just months after a surprise $765 million settlement by the National Football League of a lawsuit by former players over concussion injuries, a group of former hockey players has filed a similar suit. The 10 plaintiffs contend that the National Hockey League concealed the danger posed by concussions from them…

Nov 25, 2013 11:10 PM CST

Jay Leno is sued over rat bestiality jokes

A former flight attendant who was ridiculed on The Tonight Show claims in a lawsuit that she was falsely accused of “engaging in bestiality and sexual misconduct with a rat.” Louann Giambattista, who formerly worked for American Airlines, filed suit against the show, NBC and Jay Leno last week, Courthouse…

Nov 19, 2013 4:19 PM CST

Social media maven sues TV network, says it stole 6.78M Facebook ‘likes’ from her page on ‘The Game’

A social media maven credited with getting The Game back on cable television and helping the program about the lives of football players premiere in front of 7.7 million viewers on Black Entertainment Television in January 2011 has added an unusual claim to a federal lawsuit she filed in Florida.…

Nov 15, 2013 6:05 PM CST

Ex-Miss USA contestant told to pay Donald Trump $5M files malpractice suit against her former lawyer

Ordered to pay $5 million to Donald Trump earlier this year in a federal-court ruling upholding an award in a defamation and breach-of-contract arbitration she didn’t attend, an ex-participant in his Miss USA contest has now sued her former lawyer. Sheena Monnin is not alone in blaming attorney Richard Klineburger…

Nov 13, 2013 11:00 PM CST

Class ruling in players’ suit against the NCAA is a split victory

Both sides declared victory when a federal judge certified a class action on Friday in a suit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association by athletes challenging the use of their likenesses without compensation. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken allowed the class action by current and former Football Bowl Subdivision and…

Nov 12, 2013 6:36 PM CST

Tax lawyer and DOJ settle suit over claimed $16M shelter scheme; suit by football players ongoing

A Chicago tax lawyer is apparently going to have to focus on a new area of practice and find a new job following a settlement of a civil complaint by the U.S. Department of Justice that accused him of helping professional football players and others claim $16 million in improper…

Nov 11, 2013 8:40 PM CST

College football coaches seek to cash in on their names

Some college football coaches are seeking to profit from their names through trademarks and licensing rights. USA Today has a story on the phenomenon. Well-known coaches “are arriving at increasingly creative ways to define and protect their rights and financial interests,” the story says, even as college athletes are not…

Nov 11, 2013 12:15 PM CST

Lawyer Ted Wells to investigate Miami Dolphins workplace misconduct allegations

The National Football League has tapped high-profile lawyer Ted Wells to investigate allegations of workplace misconduct at the Miami Dolphins. Wells, a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, will prepare a report that will be released to the public, report the New York Times, the Miami Herald and…

Nov 7, 2013 12:52 PM CST