Miller Barondess partners Sasha Frid and Skip Miller have been honored for the eighth consecutive year on Billboard’s exclusive list of Top Music Lawyers (login credentials required).
Sasha and Skip’s unique broad-based music litigation practice has included representing artists such as Smokey Robinson, Mötley Crüe, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee, Montell Fish, Logic, Bad Wolves, Bush and Gavin Rossdale, Big Time Rush, Trey Songz, Nile Rodgers, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Steven Tyler, Axl Rose, former Eagles member Don Felder, Journey and Neal Schon, Pantera, Five Finger Death Punch, Steely Dan, Stone Temple Pilots, and KISS, among many others.
Sasha, the firm’s entertainment practice lead, achieved a complete case dismissal after winning a favorable demurrer ruling on behalf of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in a highly publicized lawsuit brought against him. He also convinced a Nevada state court to set aside an $11.2 million judgment entered against rapper Trey Songz over an alleged assault incident that occurred following a performance in Las Vegas. He confidentially resolved a dispute on behalf of Montell Frazier, p/k/a Montell Fish, against an unnamed professional. And he secured a confidential settlement for Thomas St. John, one of the world’s leading business managers, against Kanye West for breach of a business management agreement.
Sasha represented the band Mötley Crüe against former member Mick Mars in an arbitration dispute regarding his departure from the band. He also resolved a case for the band Bush and its co-founder and frontman, Gavin Rossdale, in a dispute with former bandmate Robin Goodridge regarding Goodridge’s dismissal from the band and associated royalty payments.
Sasha successfully represented Robert Bryson Hall II, p/k/a Logic, in a copyright infringement lawsuit where the plaintiff, Kenny Nolan, claims that Logic incorporated a fragment of Nolan’s song originally released in 1974. He represents the rock band Bad Wolves and its record label, Better Noise Music, against former lead singer Tommy Vext for violating the terms of a previous settlement agreement.
Sasha’s recent trial victories include a federal jury defense verdict representing Motown legend William “Smokey” Robinson against a former manager who sued the singer/songwriter for breach of contract, claiming he was owed commissions on Smokey’s concerts and tours. Sasha also won a jury defense verdict in a week-long federal trial representing Virtual Sonics, a cutting-edge company in music technology, against former investors who sought millions of dollars. The jury returned a defense verdict in under an hour.
What is the most pressing issue facing the music business (aside from AI)? “Marketing, promotion, and artist development,” says Sasha. “Getting your label and manager to put you on the right track.”