L.A. Law Firms Contend Celeb Clients Fit the Bill

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In the world of celebrity legal disputes, Hollywood stars often get special treatment. Sometimes attorneys will take cases just to bask in the publicity glow of a famous client.

But in most instances, the lawyers want to get paid. And a trio of local cases shows that firms want their money – and maybe now more than ever.

At least three lawsuits have been filed by local attorneys against celebrities for allegedly failing to pay legal bills.

In the past six months, rock singer Rod Stewart, rap star Master P and soft-porn purveyor Joe Francis each have been sued in Los Angeles Superior Court as law firms, dealing with a recessionary economic climate, are increasing collection efforts.

“Law firms are taking a more aggressive approach,” said Robert Weinberg, an Encino sole practitioner who represents law firms in collection cases. “And celebrity client or not celebrity client, they are looking for some additional funds and this is one of the ways to do so.”

Law firms aren’t alone in going after alleged high-profile debtors. Celebrities, including Nicolas Cage, Toni Braxton and Janice Dickinson, have been sued recently by local banks for falling behind on loan payments.

Weinberg said attorneys are sometimes reluctant to sue clients, because a typical response is a countersuit for legal malpractice.

But that concern wasn’t enough to stop three firms from going after big names in recent suits filed in Los Angeles.

Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs Howard & Shapiro LLP sued Stewart on Nov. 17, claiming that the British rock star has failed to pay $3.3 million in legal fees stemming from three separate matters the Century City firm handled.

An attorney for Glaser Weil declined comment, and a business manager for Stewart did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Glaser Weil, which has represented Stewart for more than 20 years, claims in court documents that the firm defended Stewart in litigation brought by the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas over a contract dispute involving a concert the singer was scheduled to perform. Stewart made an initial payment of $1.2 million to the firm, but sill owes a balance of $2.2 million. Stewart also allegedly owes $1.1 million in legal fees related to a fraud lawsuit brought by a concert promoter, and a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by a local film and production company.

Perkins Coie LLP sued Percy Miller, better known as rapper Master P, on Nov. 3, claiming that the performer has not paid $115,739 in legal fees from a bankruptcy matter its attorneys handled on behalf of one of Master P’s companies, Boutit Inc.

An attorney for Perkins Coie declined to comment on the pending litigation and Master P’s publicist did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Perkins Coie claims in court document that the firm has unsuccessfully made efforts to recover its money in the past, even receiving a Los Angeles Superior Court judgment against the rapper in 2005.

Howrey LLP sued Francis in June in an effort to compel an arbitration proceeding over $477,782 in unpaid legal fees.

Richard Burdge, the Howrey attorney who filed the suit, said arbitration in the matter is pending.

The “Girls Gone Wild” founder hired Howrey in 2007 to represent him in a Panama City, Fla., case. Francis pleaded guilty to a criminal contempt charge for yelling obscenities during negotiations to settle a lawsuit filed by seven women who were allegedly minors when they were filmed for a racy video.

Even though firms are becoming more aggressive in their collection efforts, it could be awhile before they see any of the money come in.

“There are times that a client will … go by way of default,” Weinberg said. “And you will have to search for assets and that will take months and months.”

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