Miller Barondess partner Sasha Frid has been recognized as an “Entertainment Business Visionary” in the June 2024 edition of The Envelope magazine published by L.A. Times B2B Publishing. This inaugural business section highlights business entertainment professionals who guide and contribute to the Southern California entertainment business community at large.
A founding partner of Miller Barondess and the firm’s entertainment practice lead, Sasha is well-known in the entertainment industry as a go-to litigator, having tried and won cases before juries and arbitration panels in California and around the country, often under intense media scrutiny. He is also a member of the Recording Academy® and a voting member of the GRAMMY Awards.
Sasha’s success in representing entertainers, artists, labels, and music managers has earned him a spot on Billboard’s list of Top Music Lawyers since 2018 and Variety’s list of top entertainment lawyers. He was honored among the 2024 Leading Commercial Litigators by the Daily Journal, recognized as 2023 Music Lawyer of the Year by the Century City Bar Association, and included among the 2023 Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Sasha’s recent trial victories include a federal jury defense verdict representing Motown legend William “Smokey” Robinson against a former manager, Eric Podwall, who sued the singer/songwriter for breach of contract, claiming that he was owed commissions on Smokey’s concerts and touring. The jury rejected the plaintiff’s entire claim for touring and concert commissions worth $2+ million. Smokey testified during the trial, recounting his illustrious career and explaining why the plaintiff was not entitled to any commissions despite a written management agreement.
Sasha won a jury defense verdict after a week-long federal trial representing Virtual Sonics, a cutting-edge music technology company that develops high-end digital music instruments used in films, video games, and other mediums, against former investors who sought millions of dollars in compensation. The jury returned a defense verdict in less than an hour.
Sasha has represented Mötley Crüe for over 15 years, including a recent much-publicized lawsuit against former guitarist Mick Mars. After Mars publicly resigned and was offered a generous compensation package, he sued the band for allegedly forcing him out after 41 years. An arbitration is also pending.
Sasha’s diverse practice includes favorably resolving lawsuits on behalf of Mötley Crüe, Five Finger Death Punch, Pantera, Tommy Lee, and Bush/Gavin Rossdale, as well as promoters and record companies like Live Nation and Universal Music, among many others, including:
Represented the band Bush and its co-founder and frontman, Gavin Rossdale, in a dispute with former band member Robin Goodridge over Goodridge’s dismissal from the band and the payment of certain royalties. The case was confidentially resolved.
Represented Warner Records and Warner Music Group in a copyright infringement lawsuit in which the plaintiff, Adrian Velasquez, p/k/a Eskupe, sought credit and a portion of the profits from rapper Phora’s 2017 debut album. The lawsuit alleged that the plaintiff and Phora were “joint authors” of songs included on the album. The plaintiff dismissed the federal court action seeking $3 million against Warner.
Represented Thomas St. John, one of the world’s leading business management firms, against Yeezy, LLC and Kanye West for breach of a business management agreement totaling $4.5 million. The case was confidentially resolved.
Successfully resolved a long-standing dispute on behalf of the Backstreet Boys against a Chinese concert promoter over performances in 2015 in China.
Successfully settled a lawsuit for the founder/principal member of rock band Journey against former band members over rights to the Journey name.