Los Angeles: Actor Johnny Depp has recently resolved a lawsuit challenging the nearly $30 million that he paid to Bloom Hergott for representing him in transactional matters.
A settlement announced by the parties avoids the need for a trial that was scheduled to take place in December.
The actor claimed in his suit that his oral contract with talent lawyer Jake Bloom was void thanks to a California statute that required contingency fee agreements be in writing.
According to court documents, across several cases, the actor has been beset by financial problems.
Bloom argued that Hollywood's percentage fee deals aren't contingency fee arrangements, but a Los Angeles Superior Court judge didn't buy it. Even if the agreement was ripped up, that didn't necessarily mean that Bloom would have to return the money.
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Bloom Hergott pursued its own claim of quantum meruit on the basis that the firm deserved adequate compensation for its services.
The parties pursued all sorts of ambitious discovery in advance of the trial as Depp essentially blamed his ex-lawyer for steering him towards trouble while Bloom Hergott investigated Depp's previously settled legal battle with former managers.
"The former law firm of Bloom Hergott, with the help of its insurance carrier, has favourably settled the litigation with Depp for a fraction of his original demand," says attorney Bryan Freedman.
"While the firm was confident it would prevail at trial, we are nonetheless pleased with this resolution as it expedites the firm's winding down process and allows it to get off the endless Johnny Depp litigation train," Adam Waldman, Depp's legal advisor, responded.
"The law firm formerly known as Bloom Hergott, sued by Johnny Depp for a multi-decade fraud and malfeasance spree, and after losing a landmark 6147 ruling, avoided the shame of evidence in a public trial by paying Mr. Depp an eight-figure settlement," he said.
Besides this, Depp also has other legal battles including a defamation fight with his ex-wife Amber Heard, the City of Lies location manager and other ex-lawyers at Buckley LLP among others.
