On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael P. Linfield sustained, without leave to amend, a demurrer brought on behalf of our clients, Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, in a lawsuit brought by a former agent seeking commissions in connection with Johnson’s work on “Star Wars.”

The agent, Brian Dreyfuss of Featured Artists Agency, claimed he was entitled to commissions in connection with Star Wars, notwithstanding that he played no role in procuring the work and even though his services were terminated well before that deal was negotiated.  In February 2020, following a three-day evidentiary hearing, the California Labor Commissioner ruled in favor of Johnson.

In October 2020, Dreyfuss and Featured Artists Agency filed an amended complaint alleging additional claims for relief. The Greenberg Glusker team filed a demurrer arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the new claims, and that they were barred by the statute of limitations. Following extensive briefing and a hearing, the court agreed, dismissing the claims against our clients.

Greenberg Glusker Litigation Chair Aaron Moss and Partner Dan Stone represented Johnson and Bergman.

Resources

• The Hollywood Reporter