Haley, James and Lauren all have the same entertainment lawyer, Dina LaPolt, who I believe came recommended by Steven Tyler.
The lawsuit states Dina was part of the Artist's management team that included business and talent managers, booking agents and lawyers. And that she undermined their attempt to negotiate a big pay raise for Steven Tyler being a judge on American Idol.
Quote:TSE wanted the new contract to be in line with what other personalities were earning on the show. TSE sought to obtain a contract that would have earned $6-$8 million more annually than the Artist's contract at the time. A more lucrative contract for the Artist would have earned TSE a larger management commission.
...But instead of supporting the renegotiation efforts, LaPolt went behind the back of her clients, the Artist and TSE, to undermine the negotiations so she could benefit herself...she directed communications to an agent for American Idol (the other side) in which she bad-mouthed, disparaged and undermined Kovac (her client) and his negotiation strategy and tactics. LaPolt undercut TSE's strategy to leverage the Artist's popularity for a more lucrative deal. She told American Idol's agent that Kovac "overplayed his hand with his aggressive behavior" and that American Idol could get the Artist for cheap, thereby undermining and negating Kovac's/the Artist's position in the negotiations.
...LaPolt did this for a selfish motive. She wanted to curry favor with American Idol to refer her other artists and talent. She sold out one client to get many others. That's exactly what happened -- after the negotiations were completed, LaPolt signed on to represent numerous American Idol performers.
...LaPolt faciliated...the Artist's departure from TSE by negotiating with and setting up another competing management company to represent the Artist while he was still at TSE. LaPolt did this behind Kovac's back and without his knowledge.
Sounds to me like Dina was representing Steven.
American Idol balked at paying what TSE wanted and she approached them on his behalf to say they could still reach an agreement.
The lawsuit also states she poached one of their employees and in a settlement involving that they were entitled to 60% of the commission form touring revenues in Year 1 and 40% in Year 2. This year she took a cut and that reduced by half the amount the received -- millions of dollars. That's what the suit is really about.
BTW: Here is the original commission structure between TSE and the Artist:
Quote:12% gross management commission on the Artist's personal activities in the entertainment industry
2% management commissison of the Artist's band gross touring revenue
They're seeking $8 million plus damages, interest and legal fees.
Original story:
http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/lawyer-r...um=twitter
PDF of lawsuit:
http://www-deadline-com.vimg.net/wp-cont...001734.pdf
Steven Tyler's former management company is suing Haley's lawyer
