Bryan Freedman

Bryan Freedman is an American entertainment lawyer and litigator. He is co-founder of the Los Angeles–based law firm Freedman & Taitelman LLP. Freedman is known for representing many high-profile defendants in the entertainment industry, including actors, sportspeople as well as motion pictures and television companies, among others.[5][6][7][8]

Bryan Freedman
Born
Bryan Joel Freedman[1]
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley
McGeorge School of Law
Occupation(s)Trial attorney, litigator
ChildrenSpencer Freedman[2][3][4]
WebsiteOfficial website

Bryan Freedman also represented several parties represented by the Sony Pictures hack[9] and was instrumental in the US$500 million litigation related to the Michael Jackson Estate's debt.[10]

Education and personal life

Bryan Freedman attended University of California, Berkeley. Continuing his studies at the McGeorge School of Law, he attained his Juris Doctor.[11] Freedman lives with his family in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. His son Spencer Freedman is a college basketball player for the Harvard Crimson of the Ivy League.[2][12]

Career

After graduating from law school, Freedman was admitted to the California State Bar in 1991.[1] Bryan Freedman met his business partner Michael Taitelman while in law school at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1997 they founded Freedman & Taitelman LLP, a law firm mostly representing clients from the entertainment industry.[13] Since 1997, Freedman has gradually established his reputation as a celebrity lawyer through a series of high-profile cases.[14][15][16][17][18]

Settlement paid for sexual assault of a minor

Freedman paid a $40,000 settlement without admitting guilt in a lawsuit which accused him and several other Zeta Beta Tau brothers of gang-raping a 17-year-old while he was in college.[19]

Chris Harrison

Bryan Freedman represented Chris Harrison, an American television and game show host after Harrison faced criticism for defending a contestant on The Bachelor accused of racism.[20] During a controversial interview with former Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay, Harrison defended former contestant Rachael Kirkconnell for attending an "Old South" ball in 2018 with her sorority at Georgia College & State University.[21] The ball was hosted by Kappa Alpha Order (KA), a collegiate fraternity with historical ties to the Ku Klux Klan that claims Robert E. Lee as its "spiritual founder".[22]

Following public criticism, Harrison had to depart the franchise. According to a number of sources, Freedman was hired to negotiate an eight figure payout from the network.[5][23]

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union was a judge for America's Got Talent for its fourteenth season, but the show failed to renew her contract for another season in November 2019, allegedly after she spoke out against racism. Union's fellow America's Got Talent judge Julianne Hough's contract was also declined to be renewed.[24] In May 2020 Union filed a discrimination suit against the producers of America's Got Talent, citing racism and prejudice.[25][26]

Michael Jackson Estate

Bryan Freedman was instrumental (along with Howard Weitzman and executors John Branca and John McClain) in handling the estate's disputed debt left after Michael Jackson's death. In particular, Freedman successfully handled the $100 million Leaving Neverland lawsuit against HBO[10][27] and $500 million worth of the estate's debt.[28]

Notable clients

References
  1. "Bryan Freedman: License Status, Disciplinary and Administrative History". The State Bar of California.
  2. "President Spencer Freedman? Harvard-bound, Mater Dei guard aspires to highest office". Press News.
  3. "Hoops prospect leaves Samohi for Mater Dei". Santa Monica Daily Press.
  4. "Bad blood, betrayal turns L.A. coach into Nike whistleblower". Oregon Live.
  5. "Who Is Bryan J. Freedman? What to Know About the Lawyer Who Negotiated Chris Harrison's Payout". US Magazine.
  6. "Megyn Kelly's lawyer rips NBC News boss Andy Lack over 'false and irresponsible reports'". Fox News.
  7. "Variety's Legal Impact Report 2021". Variety's Legal Impact Report 2021.
  8. "NBC News, Megyn Kelly's Lawyer Trade Barbs in Public as Exit Talks Drag On". The Wrap.
  9. "Five Years Later, Who Really Hacked Sony?". The Hollywood Reporter.
  10. "Michael Jackson Estate Arbitration Win Over HBO In $100M 'Leaving Neverland' Suit Reaffirmed By Appeal Court – Update". Deadline.
  11. "Bryan J. Freedman". Super Lawyers Profiles.
  12. Gershon, Josh (June 9, 2017). "Top 100 PG Spencer Freedman chooses Harvard". Scout.com.
  13. "Bryan Freedman". Variety 500.
  14. "Power Lawyers 2021: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys". The Hollywood Reporter.
  15. "About Bryan J. Freedman". Freedman and Taitelman.
  16. "Shia LaBeouf Denies All FKA Twigs Allegations". Paper Magazine.
  17. "Tfue's California Suit Against FaZe Clan Dismissed as New York Trial Approaches". The Hollywood Reporter.
  18. "Migos Sue Talent Lawyer Over 'Excessive' Fees, Conflicts of Interest". Billboard.
  19. Taylor, Kate (November 16, 2022). "Top Hollywood lawyer Bryan Freedman paid a $40,000 settlement after being accused of gang-raping a 17-year-old while in college". Business Insider. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  20. Lewis, Sophie. ""Bachelor" host Chris Harrison is temporarily "stepping aside" after "excusing historical racism"". CBS News.
  21. "Opinion | "The Bachelor" and protecting white women from consequences". MSNBC.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021.
  22. "Bachelor: Photos Show Rachael Kirkconnell Allegedly At 'Old South' Themed Ball". ScreenRant. February 5, 2021. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021.
  23. "Chris Harrison hires top L.A. lawyer following 'Bachelor' hiatus". MSN.
  24. Donnelly, Matt (November 22, 2019). "Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough Out at 'America's Got Talent' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  25. "Gabrielle Union files discrimination complaint against 'America's Got Talent' producers". TODAY.com.
  26. "Gabrielle Union Files a Discrimination Complaint Against the Producers of America's Got Talent". Harpers Bazaar.
  27. "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter.
  28. "Even in death, Michael Jackson's estate made S$2.3 billion". CNA Lifestyle.
  29. "Vin Diesel Scores Knockdown in Former Partner's Lawsuit Over 'xXx' Sequel". THR.
  30. "Kevin Spacey scandal: A complete list of the 15 accusers". 10News.
  31. "Mariah Carey Sues Over Canceled Concerts in South America". The Hollywood Reporter.
  32. "Batman Director Chris Nolan Sues His Agencies To Determine Their Commission". THR.
  33. "Diplo Sued by Ex-Girlfriend for Sexual Battery, Assault, Defamation and Fraud". Complex.
  34. "FKA Twigs and Shia LaBeouf Are in 'Productive' Talks to Settle Abuse Lawsuit". Vulture.
  35. "Octavia Spencer wins case against weight loss firm over wrongful termination". Independent.
  36. "Judge Judy Has A Bruising Day In Court Over $22M Profits Battle, But It Ain't Over". Deadline.
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