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Bryan Freedman

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Bryan Freedman
Born
Bryan Joel Freedman[1]
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley
McGeorge School of Law (JD)
Occupation(s)Trial attorney, litigator
Years active1991–present
ChildrenSpencer Freedman[2][3][4]
Websiteftllp.com

Bryan Freedman is an American entertainment lawyer and litigator. He is co-founder of the Los Angeles–based law firm Freedman Taitelman + Cooley LLP.

Freedman is known for his aggressive litigation style.[5] He has represented many high-profile defendants in the entertainment industry, including actors, sportspeople as well as motion pictures and television companies, among others.[6][7][8]

Early life and education

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Freedman is based in Los Angeles. He attended the University of California, Berkeley and later McGeorge School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor.[9][5]

Career

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1991–2015: Early career, Spencer, and Sony cases

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After graduating from law school, Freedman was admitted to the California State Bar in 1991.[1][5]

In 1997 Freedman co-founded Bryan Freedman Freedman + Taitelman, LLP with Michael Taitelman whom he met while attending law school at McGeorge.[5][10] The law firm mostly represents clients from the entertainment industry.[10]

In August 2014 Freedman represented Octavia Spencer who sued Sensa Products for $700,000 after the company terminated her contract prematurely.[11] Sensa allegedly took issue with Spencer's use of the hashtag "#spon" to identify sponsored tweets promoting their products.[11] She argued that her contract did not require her to avoid using such hashtags, and the court ruled in her favor, with Judge Michael Stern ordering Sensa to pay Spencer $940,000.[11]

In November 2014 a hacker group called "Guardians of Peace" leaked confidential data from Sony Pictures Entertainment, including employee information, emails, salaries, and unreleased films.[12] The group demanded that Sony withdraw the upcoming film The Interview, which depicted a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and threatened terrorist attacks at cinemas screening the film.[12] Sony canceled the film's formal premiere and mainstream release, opting for a limited digital and theatrical release instead. Freedman represented several parties in the lawsuit against Sony which was eventually settled for $8 million.[12][13][14]

2016–2020: Kelly, Michael Jackson Estate, and Union cases

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In 2018 Megyn Kelly was fired from NBC after a Halloween segment on her talk show where she questioned why blackface is considered racist, stating that it was acceptable during her youth if someone was portraying a character.[15] This led to accusations that Kelly was defending the use of blackface in Halloween costumes. Despite issuing a public apology, her show was canceled, and she was terminated from NBC.[16][17] Freedman represented Kelly and said that NBC allowed false rumors to circulate and argued that Kelly should receive the remainder of her contract. Ultimately, NBC agreed to pay out the full remainder of her contract.[18][19]

In February 2019 Freedman represented Michael Jackson Estate who filed a lawsuit against HBO over Leaving Neverland.[20] After Michael Jackson's death, his estate faced debt-related issues.[20] Freedman, alongside Howard Weitzman and executors John Branca and John McClain, worked to resolve a reported $500 million in estate debt and a $100 million lawsuit against HBO related to the documentary Leaving Neverland, which detailed allegations of child sexual abuse against Jackson.[21][22][23]

In May 2020 Freedman represented Gabrielle Union who filed a discrimination lawsuit against the producers of America's Got Talent, alleging racism and prejudice after her contract as a judge was not renewed for the fourteenth season in 2019, following her complaints about racist incidents on set.[24][25] Fellow judge Julianne Hough's contract was also not renewed.[26] Freedman managed a settlement for Union with an "amicable resolution", although the terms of the agreement were not disclosed publicly.[15]

2021–present: Harrison and other cases

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In 2021 Chris Harrison hired Freedman to negotiate his exit from the show, when he faced backlash after defending Rachael Kirkconnell, a contestant on The Bachelor, during an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay.[27][28] Kirkconnell had attended an "Old South" ball in 2018, hosted by Kappa Alpha Order (KA).[29] With the help of Freedman, Harrison received an eight-figure payout, later reported to be $10 million, from the network.[30][15]

In February 2022 Miles Cooley joined Freedman + Taitelman LLP as a partner and later in September 2023 it was renamed as Freedman Taitelman + Cooley.[31]

Over the years Freedman has represented Alanis Morissette,[15] Bethenny Frankel,[32] Chris Cuomo,[33] Christopher Nolan,[34] Deborah Dugan,[35] Diplo,[36] Don Lemon,[33] FKA twigs,[37] Jeff Ross, Julia Roberts, Kate Beckinsale, Kevin Spacey,[38] Lil Pump, Linkin Park, Mariah Carey,[39] Mike Richards,[33] Quentin Tarantino,[40][41] Robert Downey Jr., Seth Rogen,[33] Tucker Carlson,[33] and Vin Diesel.[5][42]

Personal life

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Freedman lives with his family in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. His son Spencer Freedman is a college basketball who played for the Harvard Crimson of the Ivy League, and currently plays for the NYU Violets of the University Athletic Association.[2][43]

Recognition

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bryan Freedman: License Status, Disciplinary and Administrative History". The State Bar of California.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e "Who is Bryan Freedman, the lawyer said to represent Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson?". April 27, 2023 – via www.bbc.com.
  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. ^ "Bryan J. Freedman". Super Lawyers Profiles.
  10. ^ a b "Bryan Freedman". Variety 500.
  11. ^ a b c Child, Ben (December 24, 2014). "Octavia Spencer wins lawsuit against weight-loss company" – via The Guardian.
  12. ^ a b c Siegel, Tatiana (November 25, 2019). "Five Years Later, Who Really Hacked Sony?".
  13. ^ Freedman, Linn Foster (April 13, 2016). "Sony settles employees' class action suit for up to $8M". Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Insider.
  14. ^ Patten, Dominic (April 6, 2016). "Sony Hack Class Action Settlement Gets Final Approval".
  15. ^ a b c d Debusmann Jr, Bernd (April 27, 2023). "Who is Bryan Freedman, the lawyer said to represent Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson?". BBC News. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Kludt, Tom; Stelter, Brian (January 12, 2019). "Megyn Kelly leaves NBC with all of her $69 million contract intact | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  17. ^ Benitz, Samantha (March 16, 2022). "Who Is Chris Cuomo's Giant Slayer Of A Lawyer? Meet The Man Who Made Millions For Megyn Kelly, Chris Harrison & Gabrielle Union". RadarOnline. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  18. ^ Flood, Brian (January 11, 2019). "Megyn Kelly, NBC officially split". Fox News. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  19. ^ Chamlee, Virginia. "Don Lemon, Tucker Carlson Hire Same Lawyer Who Represented Chris Cuomo and Megyn Kelly After Their Firings". People. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Gardner, Eriq (February 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary".
  21. ^ "Michael Jackson Estate Arbitration Win Over HBO In $100M 'Leaving Neverland' Suit Reaffirmed By Appeal Court – Update". Deadline.
  22. ^ "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. ^ "Even in death, Michael Jackson's estate made S$2.3 billion". CNA Lifestyle.
  24. ^ "Gabrielle Union files discrimination complaint against 'America's Got Talent' producers". TODAY.com.
  25. ^ "Gabrielle Union Files a Discrimination Complaint Against the Producers of America's Got Talent". Harpers Bazaar.
  26. ^ Donnelly, Matt (November 22, 2019). "Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough Out at 'America's Got Talent' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  27. ^ Lewis, Sophie. ""Bachelor" host Chris Harrison is temporarily "stepping aside" after "excusing historical racism"". CBS News.
  28. ^ "Opinion | "The Bachelor" and protecting white women from consequences". MSNBC.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021.
  29. ^ "Bachelor: Photos Show Rachael Kirkconnell Allegedly At 'Old South' Themed Ball". ScreenRant. February 5, 2021. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021.
  30. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 18, 2021). "Inside Chris Harrison's Shocking Downfall as 'The Bachelor' Host — and a $9 Million Payout (EXCLUSIVE)".
  31. ^ Franklin, McKinley (September 18, 2023). "Freedman + Taitelman Rebrands With Miles Cooley As New Name Partner".
  32. ^ Malkin, Marc (July 28, 2023). "Bethenny Frankel Enlists Power Attorneys Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos in Fight for Reality Star Protections: 'This Is Going to Be a War' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Robertson, Katie (April 25, 2023). "Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon Hire a Top Hollywood Lawyer". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  34. ^ "Batman Director Chris Nolan Sues His Agencies To Determine Their Commission". THR.
  35. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (January 18, 2020). "Ousted Recording Academy Chief Given Security Detail After "Disturbing" Threat, Says Lawyer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  36. ^ "Diplo Sued by Ex-Girlfriend for Sexual Battery, Assault, Defamation and Fraud". Complex.
  37. ^ "FKA Twigs and Shia LaBeouf Are in 'Productive' Talks to Settle Abuse Lawsuit". Vulture.
  38. ^ "Kevin Spacey scandal: A complete list of the 15 accusers". 10News.
  39. ^ "Mariah Carey Sues Over Canceled Concerts in South America". The Hollywood Reporter.
  40. ^ Dalton, Andrew (November 17, 2021). "Lawyer says Tarantino has right to sell 'Pulp Fiction' NFTs". AP NEWS. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  41. ^ "Judge Judy Has A Bruising Day In Court Over $22M Profits Battle, But It Ain't Over". Deadline.
  42. ^ "Vin Diesel Scores Knockdown in Former Partner's Lawsuit Over 'xXx' Sequel". THR.
  43. ^ Gershon, Josh (June 9, 2017). "Top 100 PG Spencer Freedman chooses Harvard". Scout.com.
  44. ^ Budnick, Dean; Hendrickson, Paula; Idelson, Karen; Longwell, Todd; Marich, Robert; Morfoot, Addie; Verini, Bob; Wass, Mike (April 17, 2024). "Variety's Legal Impact Report 2024: Meet Hollywood's Top Entertainment Attorneys".
  45. ^ Cullins, Ashley (March 30, 2022). "Power Lawyers 2022: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
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