The Rear Window Ruling
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York

The Sheldon Abend Revocable Trust v. Steven Spielberg; DreamWorks, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Viacom, Inc.; Cold Springs Pictures, Montecito Picture Co.; and United International Pictures, B.V. • Copyright infringement claims against Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks, LLC and various other major motion picture entities filed on September 5, 2008. • Client (The Sheldon Abend Revocable Trust) alleged that Spielberg and the other named defendants’ production and exploitation of the motion picture released in 2007 entitled Disturbia violates the Trust’s copyright in the original short story by Cornell Woolrich entitled Rear Window. • Status: Settled. An amicable confidential settlement was reached with Mr. Spielberg and Paramount Pictures prior to the Southern District of New York’s entry of summary judgment in favor of the defendants. The Trust agreed to the voluntarily dismissal of its claims.


Mary Demetree & Lee Chira v. Bobby Ginn, Ginn Development Co., & Hammock Beach River Club
American Arbitration Association

• Breach of Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Estate.
• Clients (Mary Demetree and Lee Chira) sold Bulow Creek property near Palm Coast to Ginn, but Ginn failed to pay approximately $7 million due to Clients.
• Status: Confidential settlement entered by the parties 2 days before the
start of a one week trial. Successfully defeated defendants’ motion for summary judgment on all grounds.

Wright Entertainment Group, LLC v. Britney Spears. (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Contract, Accounting
• Client (Johnny Wright) was the former manager for Spears, Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC and currently manages Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, The Jonas Brothers and other artists.
• Status: After an accounting performed on Ms. Spears, an amicable, confidential settlement agreement was entered.
  

Isham v. The City of Ft. Lauderdale Police Dept.

• Negligent police chase against a sovereign defendant
• A successful business owner was killed in an illegal hot pursuit by unauthorized undercover officers.
• Result: Jury verdict awarded $1.9 million. City has paid partially, claims still pending.
• Click here for Press Release

Tanner v. Woodland Properties, et al. (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Contract, Fiduciary Duty.
• Client (Tanner) was a development consultant of large Georgia golf community.
• Expert Report Damages: $5,000,000.00
• Status: Confidential six-figure settlement one week before trial.
  
  

Curly Neal, et al v. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. and FUBU Clothing Company (District of Arizona, Federal Court)

• Lanham Act, Right of Publicity, False Light
• Clients were six former Harlem Globetrotter players.
• Damages: Confidential 7 figure settlement after 2 days of trial in Phoenix

Meadowlark Lemon v. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. and FUBU Clothing Company (District of Arizona, Federal Court)

• Co-Counsel to Goldwater Firm
• Lanham Act, Right of Publicity, False Light
• Client was a former Harlem Globetrotter player
• Result: $780,000 verdict, appeal pending.

Hall v. Pearlman, et al (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Constructive Fraud, Fraud
• Clients are former members, managers and shareholders of the Backstreet Boys
• Result: Settled day before trial for confidential amount.
  
  

Williams v. Pearlman, et al (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Constructive Fraud, Fraud
• Client was a former managers and shareholder of the Backstreet Boys
• Result: Settled just before trial for confidential amount.
  
  

Hard Rock Academy Partners, Inc. v. Hard Rock Café International (USA), Inc, (9th Cir. Business Court)

• Tortious Interference, Breach of Contract
• Client (HRA) was a licensee of “Hard Rock” brand for education and musical instruments business
• Result: Confidential settlement a week before trial.

Marks v. Hernando County

• Negligence against a sovereign defendant.
• Client paralyzed due to poorly maintained roadway
• Result: $2.5 Million settlement after filing claims bill, legislative and gubernatorial approval.

Past Clients:

Backstreet Boys Aaron Carter Johnny Wright and Wright Entertainment Group Phoenix Stone Sybil Hall and StoneHall Management Demetree Development Lee Chira and Associates

Hard Rock Academy Billboard Music Academy Ingersoll Partners,LLC Curly Neal Marques Haynes “Twiggy “ Sanders “Big D” Dallas Thornton

Robert “Showboat” Hall “Gator” Rivers Bubba “Whoopass” Wilson of Monsters of Midday Jeff Howell “Savannah” of Monsters of Midday Larry Hoppen and “Orleans”