Brian L. Davidoff

Chair, Bankruptcy, Reorganization & Capital Recovery
Fax 310-553-0687

Convent, Katy Perry at Center of L.A. Archdiocese Dispute

July 21, 2015Article
Los Angeles Daily Journal

Greenberg Glusker partner Bernard Resser was quoted in a story that ran in the Daily Journal July 21st about who controls the sale of a Los Feliz convent. In a Petition filed by Greenberg partners Brian Davidoff and Resser and Greenberg Associate Ira Steinberg, the Sisters state that Jose Gomez, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, illegally took control of The California Institute of the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary by appointing himself director in order to sell the convent known as the Waverly Property.

Archbishop Gomez planned to sell the Waverly Property to Katheryn Hudson, AKA Katy Perry, the pop superstar. The Sisters of the Institute objected to selling the convent to Perry citing her public image and in a defensive action on June 10th, agreed to sell the property to restaurateur Dana Hollister. Archbishop Gomez’ attorneys filed a lawsuit in June to overturn that sale and seek an injunction ousting her from the property.

Greenberg Glusker then filed a petition seeking to determine the validity of Archbishop Gomez’s unilateral amendment of the Institute’s Bylaws and appointment of himself as a director and officer of the Institute along with other Archdiocese officials who are not Sisters of the Institute. Archbishop Gomez is claiming that the control of the Institute was decided in 2014 by the Pope.

Resser said “a letter from Rome saying the Archbishop can do this doesn’t cut it,” and requested a hearing. That request was granted and a hearing will occur on October 15th.

The case is The California Institute of the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, et al. v. Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, et al.