When you read headlines like TMZ Exclusive’s “Precious’ Star Mo’Nique Sues Landlord: My House Smells Like Dog Crap!” Or the “Pants on the Ground” lawsuit brought by a national digital distributor, which hit many popular sites and blogs like OK magazine, Access Atlanta, Bossip, TMZ and AllHipHop, you must know that they aren’t fabricated-scenes-made-especially-for-reality-TV. In fact, these are two of the many cases that live in urban news infamy and are handled by astute entertainment attorney Leron E. Rogers, a partner at the national law firm, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP.
The savvy legal expert has a persuasively fierce presence during litigation and here he insists that his success is built on his uncanny ability to build lasting relationships. –yvette caslin
Tell us a little about your expertise.
My practice is primarily in commercial litigation representing entertainers, athletes and celebrities in litigation matters. We represent the broad range … from start-up corporations to multibillion-dollar companies, individuals and organizations.
How did you transition from having your own law firm to becoming a partner at a large practice?
It was actually a good transition because my practice over the years has grown. There are clients that have needs in other cities. It was a good way for me to get some support and a large national law firm imprint allows me to service my clients better when they have matters in Los Angeles, New York, Texas, Florida and internationally.
What sets you apart from a traditional entertainment attorney?
I have a perspective that most entertainment attorneys don’t. I have a finance background and I have done transactional work in the entertainment industry. So when I look at an entertainment matter, I understand the nuts and the bolts of the underlying contracts, how the money flows, where the cash comes from, and how entertainers and athletes make their money. When there is a dispute, I am uniquely qualified to go after and find the money.
Why would a client choose you?
You choose someone to handle your matters based on your relationship. I receive referrals from people that I’ve worked with in the industry. We do good work and that’s why we continue to grow our business.
Typically agents have a legal background.
Why would an entertainer need your services as well?
I was a sports agent for some time … about six or seven years. I represented NFL players. I understand that world and many sports agents don’t practice on a regular basis. They don’t do corporate work or understand the contracts involved with setting up the corporation. Some of them don’t do litigation. I have done all of those things … represented players, negotiated corporate deals and I have also done litigation.
You mentioned international cases earlier, what do you have in the pipeline?
I have a case currently pending in Cincinnati, Ohio federal court involving a large theme park developer. Jack Rouse Associates is the defendant; my client Roger Kalaouz & Associates, a Lebanese corporation that had a contract with JRA to develop theme parks throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE). My client performed and set up deals with Dubailand, which is a huge development there, as well as the F1 Ferrari Theme Park in Abu Dhabi and was not properly compensated for it. That’s a national case here in the U.S. that has international implications. I recently visited the theme park and it’s amazing. It’s definitely something we want to make sure my client is adequately compensated for.
