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Adam Streisand

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Adam Streisand
Born
Adam Fredric Streisand

(1963-06-09) June 9, 1963 (age 61)
New York City, US
EducationTrinity College (BA)
American University Washington College of Law
OccupationAttorney
Years active34

Adam Fredric Streisand[1] (born June 9, 1963, in New York City)[2] is an American trial attorney notable for his involvement in high profile litigation with regard to private wealth disputes, fiduciary litigation, business succession and "partnership disputes and litigation involving trusts, estates and conservatorships."[3]

He is credited with preserving both NBA franchises in Los Angeles, having represented former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at trial against Donald Sterling over the Los Angeles Clippers,[4] and Jeanie Buss in litigation over control of the Los Angeles Lakers.[5][6] Streisand also represented Dea Spanos Berberian and Georgia Angelos in litigation involving succession and control over the LA Chargers and Baltimore Orioles, respectively.[7][8] Streisand is one of the most influential people in Los Angeles,[9][10] due to his involvement in battles over the estates of the rich and famous, including Michael Jackson,[11] Tom Petty,[12] Hugh Hefner,[13] Muhammad Ali, Ray Charles, Marilyn Monroe,[14] Marlon Brando, Douglas Tompkins,[15][16][17] Barry White, Dennis Hopper, Michael Crichton,[18][19] Anna Nicole Smith, Rodney Dangerfield, Rock Hudson,[20] Joey Bishop, Bing Crosby, Gore Vidal,[21][22] Carroll Shelby, Alan Thicke,[23] Terry Semel[24] Allen Paulson[25] and others.

Career

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Early career

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Streisand graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, with a BA in history.[26] During college, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris for one academic year.[26] After college, he served as legislative aide to U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md).[26] Streisand graduated cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law, a member of the Honor Society, and an editor of the Law Review.[26]

Streisand began his legal career in entertainment litigation. On behalf of his clients, Beastie Boys and Capitol Records, Streisand won the first digital sampling case in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, Newton v. Diamond, et al.[27][28] Streisand won a palimony case for comedian Bill Maher brought by former girlfriend, Coco Johnson.[29][30] Streisand achieved a significant settlement against Faye Dunaway, Terrence McNally and others over the film rights to the stage play Master Class for producer Lester Persky.[31] Streisand successfully defended Diana Ross in a copyright infringement action by photographer Art Shay. He successfully litigated a copyright infringement action for BMG Music Publishing against Melissa Etheridge. Streisand represented Quincy Jones, the key witness in the defamation trial by Steve Wynn against "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis, in which the jury returned a $40 million verdict.[32] Streisand obtained an injunction for Jacques Cousteau against the use of the Cousteau name in connection with a Fiji resort against Jean-Michel Cousteau and others. Britney Spears retained Streisand in connection with the petition to establish a conservatorship over the singer.[33][34][35][36] Streisand successfully represented Kobe Bryant in a defamation action.

Estate litigation

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Streisand transitioned from entertainment litigation to trust and estate litigation, becoming well known for success in both celebrity and traditional estate cases.[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Streisand has been widely acknowledged as a leading American trial attorney, particularly in the field of trust and estate litigation.[45][46]

Streisand is cited as being the architect of the strategy to rely on an arcane provision of the California probate code, section 1310b, resulting in a trial victory for Steve Ballmer and his $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers.[47] Streisand was also involved in the drafting of legislation, including amendments to the California Celebrities Rights Act, to ensure the protection of a deceased celebrity's name and likeness and its descendibility to the celebrity's heirs.[48] The estate of Marilyn Monroe retained Streisand to draft the amendments to the California Celebrities Rights Act.

In 2018, Adam Streisand represented Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss who was under pressure from an attempted coup by her brothers, Jimmy and Johnny Buss.[49]  Streisand’s pre-emptive strike not only led to cementing permanently Jeanie’s control of the Lakers, but the instant removal of her brothers from their positions as co-trustees of the trust established by their father, Jerry Buss, which owns the team.[50]

The children of Leonard Cohen hired Streisand to represent them against Cohen's former manager, Robert Kory, whose attorney forged documents naming Kory the trustee of Cohen's estate. Streisand successfully returned control of the estate and monies Kory earned while acting in the capacity of trustee back to Cohen's children and heirs.[51]

Streisand represented Dea Spanos Berberian in a significant legal case against her brother, Dean Spanos, regarding control of the Los Angeles Chargers. The lawsuit addressed fiduciary disputes within the Spanos family, ultimately leading to the proposed sale of a 27% stake in the team to Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores.[52]

In 2024, Streisand represented Rupert Murdoch at trial before a court in Reno, Nevada, against James Murdoch, Elisabeth Murdoch and Prudence MacLeod, three of Murdoch’s children, seeking to ratify changes to an irrevocable trust that would have the effect of eliminating the voting control they would have over his media empire after Rupert Murdoch’s death, and vest that control in the hands of his son and chosen successor, Lachlan Murdoch.[53]

Recognition

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  • In 2015 and 2017, Mr. Streisand was recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers, in the field of Litigation, trusts and estates.[54]
  • In 2015, 2017 and 2018, the Daily Journal named Streisand as one of the top trial attorneys in the nation.[55][56]
  • In 2016, Streisand was recognized by The National Law Journal as a Divorce, Trusts & Estates Trailblazer.[57]
  • The Chambers HNW guide published by Chambers & Partners, individually ranked Streisand in the Private Wealth Law category for Southern California and he was also ranked nationally in the Private Wealth Disputes category. In 2019, Chambers & Partners named Streisand as the U.S. Trusts and Estates Litigator of the Year.[58]
  • In 2017 and 2018, Lawdragon named Streisand as one of the top "Leading Lawyers in America."[59][60]
  • The Los Angeles Business Journal named Adam Streisand as Litigation Attorney of the year in 2018 for his rare and wide expertise in disputes involving entertainment and intellectual property issues.[61]
  • In 2020, 2022, and 2023, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Adam Streisand as one of the “Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers” which highlights “the very best litigators in the business.”[62][63][64]
  • In 2020, Citywealth, a UK financial magazine, named Streisand one of the top 50 private wealth attorneys in North America, one of the top 100 private client lawyers and one of the 100 litigation attorneys worldwide.
  • In 2021, he was selected by the Hollywood Reporter for their 15th annual Power Lawyers list which highlights the top entertainment lawyers in the industry.[65]
  • Streisand was named by the Daily Journal as a top 100 Lawyer in California for 2022.[66]
  • In 2022, Streisand was named one of the "Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022" by Citywealth.[67]
  • The LA Business Journal has also named Adam Streisand as one of the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles for 5 years in a row[68] and Who's Who in Law in 2023.[69]
  • The Hollywood Reporter listed Streisand as a power lawyer in trusts and estates in their 2022 and 2023 "Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters".[70][71]

Personal life

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Adam Streisand is married to writer, director and producer Sofia Streisand,[72] and they have one son, Pierre Streisand. He also has two daughters, Lena Streisand, an attorney, and Olivia Streisand, a documentary filmmaker, from a previous marriage to journalist Betsy Streisand. [73] Adam is a cousin of famous singer and actress, Barbra Streisand.[74] He is an avid cyclist and adventurist. He has camped near the North Pole, trekked 19,000 feet (5,800 m) in the Himalayas, and crossed the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean on his bicycle.[75]

Filmography

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Streisand has appeared as himself in Framing Britney Spears, The New York Times Presents, in the Netflix documentary, Britney vs Spears, and in guest appearances on Cuomo Prime Time, CNN Newsroom with Pamela Brown, America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, and Your World with Neil Cavuto.[76] Streisand is featured in the December 2022 Discovery+ docuseries Jamie Vs Britney: The Father Daughter Trials.

Bibliography

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References

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  1. ^ "Adam Fredric Streisand Profile | Los Angeles, CA Lawyer". Martindale.com. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Hubbell, Martindale (March 2002). Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (2002). Martindale-Hubbell. ISBN 9781561604913.
  3. ^ "Leaders in Law Honorees - Attorney Awards: Adam Streisand". Los Angeles Business Journal. February 12, 2018.
  4. ^ Witz, Billy (July 28, 2014). "Donald Sterling Loses Bid to Block Sale of Clippers". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Family or franchise? Jeanie Buss' choice was easy". ESPN.com. April 11, 2017.
  6. ^ Loignon, Stéphane (July 17, 2018). "La guerre en héritage : La mauvaise passe des Lakers". Le Parisien (in French).
  7. ^ "Spanos sued by sister as Chargers feud escalates". ESPN.com. June 10, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "Veterans of legal battles over Michael Jackson estate and against O.J. Simpson jump into Angelos fray". Baltimore Sun. June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "Top Litigators in Los Angeles: Adam F. Streisand". Los Angeles Business Journal. August 22, 2018.
  10. ^ "Top 100 Lawyers in California". Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal. September 22, 2010. From his victory in the landmark copyright case, Newton v. Diamond, in which he represented the Beastie Boys and Capitol Records... Streisand has transitioned into a nationally recognized trust and estate litigator. His practice is unique in that he is the rare lawyer in the field with an expertise in disputes involving entertainment and intellectual property issues. He has been in courtroom battles over the estates of Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Marlon Brando, Michael Crichton, Anna Nicole Smith, Rodney Dangerfield, Dennis Hopper, William Randolph Hearst and many more.
  11. ^ "Jackson family lawyer: 'New evidence' in battle for estate". Cnn.com.
  12. ^ "Tom Petty's Widow Files New Appeals Against Daughters in Escalating Battle Over Late Rocker's Trust". Billboard.,"Tom Petty's Daughters File Lawsuit Against His Widow". Variety. May 15, 2019.
  13. ^ Naumann, Ryan; Walters, Mike; Trock, Gary; Walters, Liz (December 22, 2017). "Hugh Hefner's Estate is Selling Off All His Playboy Ownership (UPDATE)". The Blast.
  14. ^ "Law Decides Who Owns a Dead Star's Image". NPR.org.
  15. ^ "Daughter seeks millions from Esprit co-founder Douglas Tompkins' will - SFChronicle.com". Sfchronicle.com. October 29, 2017.
  16. ^ Hiltzik, Michael (October 27, 2017). "A San Francisco socialite sues for a share of the Esprit fortune her conservationist father left to charity". Los Angeles Times.
  17. ^ "Daughter of North Face and Esprit co-founder Douglas Tompkins loses latest bid to claim inheritance - SFChronicle.com". Sfchronicle.com. October 7, 2018.
  18. ^ "Estateofdenial.com". Estateofdenial.com.
  19. ^ "Michael Crichton's daughter speaks up about sale of her father's art collection". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. March 17, 2010.
  20. ^ Goldblatt, Daniel; Walters, Mike; Walters, Liz (January 9, 2018). "Rock Hudson Has a Daughter Nobody Knew About and Claims to Have the DNA Test to Prove It". The Blast.
  21. ^ Teeman, Tim (November 8, 2013). "For Gore Vidal, a Final Plot Twist". The New York Times.
  22. ^ "Gore Vidal's Final Feud". Washingtonian.com.
  23. ^ "Alan Thicke's Widow Thanks Him for Being Her 'Angel' as Judge Throws Out Stepsons' Lawsuit". People.com.
  24. ^ "Former Yahoo CEO has Alzheimer's; Son Files for Conservatorship". TheBlast.com. May 11, 2018., "Terry Semel's Alzheimer's Battle: Inside the Family War over the Hollywood Titan's Care". Los Angeles Times. May 3, 2019.
  25. ^ Freedman, Michael. "The Paulson Estate Battle". Forbes.
  26. ^ a b c d "Adam F. Streisand". Sheppardmullin.com.
  27. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. ^ "349 F.2d 591 (9th Cir. 2003)". Scholar.google.com.
  29. ^ "Judge Dismisses $9M Lawsuit Against Bill Maher". Associated Press. March 25, 2015.
  30. ^ "Bill Maher is sued by ex-girlfriend". Articles.latimes.com. November 12, 2004.
  31. ^ SNOW, SHAUNA (August 1, 1997). "Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press". Articles.latimes.com.
  32. ^ "Steve Wynn Vs. Joe Francis: Anatomy of a $40 Million Smackdown". The Hollywood Reporter. September 12, 2012.
  33. ^ Stephanie Gaskell; Dan Cox (February 4, 2008). "Lawyer: Britney Spears doesn't want her father in charge of her welfare". nydailynews.com.
  34. ^ "A Guide To The #FreeBritney Movement". May 16, 2019.
  35. ^ "A Guide to the #FreeBritney Theory That Britney Spears Is Being Held Against Her Will". Jezebel.com. April 23, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  36. ^ Kovaleski, Serge F.; Coscarelli, Joe (May 4, 2016). "Is Britney Spears Ready to Stand on Her Own?". The New York Times.
  37. ^ Trusts and Estates Magazine says "Adam Streisand is a trial lawyer renowned for his courtroom victories in celebrity estates."]
  38. ^ "Michael Crichton's Posthumous Child". Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  39. ^ The American Lawyer says: "Mr. Streisand is a veteran of battles over celebrity estates such as Marlon Brando and Ray Charles". The American Lawyer, "Notable and Notorious Lawyers", Vol.31, No.12, Dec. 2009.
  40. ^ Lawdragon Magazine says "Adam Streisand is easily one of the best trust and estate litigators in the country."
  41. ^ "Jackson's Mom Hires Adam Streisand". Tisonandwillis.wordpress.com. October 24, 2009.
  42. ^ "HUTCHINGS v. DROMMERHAUSE - B209155 - 20090811008 - Leagle.com". Leagle.com.
  43. ^ In re James Patrick Trust involving $350 million claim to Alacer Corp., manufacturer of "Emergen-C".
  44. ^ Hirsch, Jerry (November 24, 2003). "Exec's Remarks Stir Farmer Bros. Battle". Articles.latimes.com.
  45. ^ "Lawdragon Magazine". lawdragon.com. January 2020.
  46. ^ and one of the "Top 500 Trial Lawyers in America" Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Streisand was named one of the "Top 100 Lawyers" in Southern California by The Los Angeles Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, Vol.31, No.40, Oct. 5–11, 2009, one of the "Top 100 Lawyers" in the field of Trusts and Estates in the United States by Worth (magazine) Worth Magazine, "The Top 100 Attorneys", Dec/Jan 2009, and one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in North America" in the field of wealth management by Citywealth Magazine. Named a "Top Litigator" by Los Angeles Business Journal, August 13, 2018. He is also named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers. Streisand is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. "American College of Trust and Estate Counsel | Find an ACTEC Fellow". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2011. Adam Streisand was given the highest ranking available for an attorney by "Chambers USA" Chambers USA: Adam Streisand and by Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell: Adam Streisand He has been named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since the inception of the magazine in 2004.
  47. ^ Daily Journal, « A Slam Dunk for Ballmer’s Dealmaker ».
  48. ^ "Cal. Civ. Code 3344–3346". Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  49. ^ Fenno, Nathan (July 4, 2018). "It was 16 months ago when Jeanie Buss made a daring move to seize control of the Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  50. ^ "Column: In stopping her brothers' attempted takeover, Jeanie Buss shows she's in charge of Lakers — for now". Los Angeles Times. March 4, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  51. ^ Aswad, Jem (March 2, 2023). "Leonard Cohen's Heirs Accuse Former Manager and Attorney of Forgery (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  52. ^ X; Instagram; Email; Facebook (September 27, 2024). "Pistons owner to buy 27% stake of Chargers, ending Spanos family dispute". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  53. ^ Aratani, Lauren (September 9, 2024). "Succession battle for Murdoch empire to play out in secret in Nevada court". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  54. ^ "Adam F. Streisand - Best Lawyers Lawyer Profile". February 1, 2014. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  55. ^ "Partner Adam Streisand Named Among Daily Journal's Top 100". www.sheppardmullin.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  56. ^ "Partner Adam Streisand Named Among Daily Journal's Top 100". www.sheppardmullin.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  57. ^ https://www.sheppardmullin.com/assets/htmldocuments/005031622%20Sheppard.pdf
  58. ^ "Adam F Streisand". Chambers & Partners. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  59. ^ "The 2017 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America". Lawdragon. April 26, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  60. ^ "The 2018 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America". Lawdragon. March 14, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  61. ^ "Leaders in Law Honorees - Attorney Awards: Adam Streisand". Los Angeles Business Journal. February 12, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  62. ^ "Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  63. ^ "Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers". Los Angeles Business Journal. July 18, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  64. ^ Garcia, Kelly (August 7, 2023). "Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 – Adam Streisand". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  65. ^ Cullins, Ashley (May 26, 2021). "Power Lawyers 2021: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  66. ^ "Adam Streisand Named a 2022 "Top 100 Lawyer" by the Daily Journal". Northern California Record. September 28, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  67. ^ Ricciardi, Silvia (April 27, 2022). "Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022". CityWealth. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  68. ^ "LA500 2022: Adam Streisand". Los Angeles Business Journal. June 20, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  69. ^ Hill, Zane (March 27, 2023). "Special Report: Who's Who In Law - Adam Streisand". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  70. ^ Cullins, Ashley (November 28, 2022). "Hollywood's Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  71. ^ Cullins, Ashley (September 22, 2023). "Hollywood's Troubleshooters: Who the Stars Call to Put Out Fires and Prevent Future Disasters". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  72. ^ "Sofia Streisand". IMDb. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  73. ^ "Olivia Streisand". IMDb. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  74. ^ "Brit's New Lawyer -- A Real Yentl!". TMZ. February 5, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  75. ^ "Lawyer Limelight: Adam Streisand". Lawdragon. October 25, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  76. ^ "Adam Streisand". IMDb. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
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