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Rocker Rod Stewart Sued for $3.3 Mil by Own Attorneys

By Tanya Roth, Esq. on November 19, 2009 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

It seems that forever young Rod Stewart better start singing a new song... at least one that his litigation law firm likes a bit better. The firm of Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs, Howard & Shapiro, former attorneys of Rod Stewart, has sued their client of more than 20 years for unpaid fees totaling just over $3.3 million. Fortunately for Rod, the sum comes out to be a bit less in pounds sterling.

Unfortunately for Rod, the charges are detailed. Glaser, Weil, a well known entertainment firm in Century City, CA, says Rod still owes it for work on three cases stretching over the period from 2001-2007. The first is from a contract dispute between Stewart and the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. Stewart's business manager did pay $1.2 mil, but has yet to pay the balance, a mere $2,190,570.05. 

The second bill stems from a fraud and interference with contract suit by a concert group (PM Group v. Stewart). Stewart counter-sued for breach of contract. After a trial and appeal, Stewart still owes $960,345.57.

The final ding comes from a case called RKO Pictures v. Stewart, which was based on trademark infringement, unfair competition and related claims. That case was settled in mediation, but the bill was not. The former attorneys of Rod Stewart contend they are still owed $158,995.72 for fees and costs. 

It should be noted that the THR, Esq, the Hollywood Reporter legal blog, opines that it is strange that such an accomplished firm, who's billing department figures fees owed to the penny (see above), failed to get a retainer from their long standing client. According to the THR Blog, talent reps often work without a net, but "..litigators, who generally work on an hourly fee basis, almost always spell out the terms of the representation in a contract the client must sign." Evidently, even attorneys forget that old rule of thumb when dealing with contracts: get it in writing. 

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