who was michael jackson's attorney

by Retha Morissette 4 min read

Thomas Mesereau (born 1950; JD Hastings College of the Law 1979) is a California-based criminal trial lawyer at Mesereau & Yu. He rose to national and international fame for successfully defending Michael Jackson in his 2005 child molestation trial.

Why was Michael Jackson so controversial?

Thomas Mesereau (born 1950; JD Hastings College of the Law 1979) is a California-based criminal trial lawyer at Mesereau & Yu. He rose to national and international fame for successfully defending Michael Jackson in his 2005 child molestation trial. Mesereau has also worked on other criminal, white-collar and professional conduct cases.

Does Michael Jackson have a family?

Apr 23, 2019 · Yesterday, here in Los Angeles, I did the first extensive interview since the release on HBO with the man who secured the acquittal in Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, famed defense attorney Tom Mesereau. Mesereau has, until now, been tied up in a trial in Texas since Leaving Neverland debuted, and has therefore been unable to do any extensive in-person interviews.

Does Michael Jackson Love You?

Sep 23, 2020 · Thomas Mesereau is a criminal defense attorney who perhaps is best known for successfully representing deceased singer Michael Jackson in a case involving 14 charges of child molestation. Mesereau also represented other celebrities that include Bill Cosby, Suge Knight, Michael Tyson, and Robert Blake. Mesereau currently is representing “That 70s Show” …

Was Michael Jackson good looking?

May 03, 2010 · 3. 5/3/2010 8:45 AM PT. Peter Lopez -- the music attorney who had close ties to Michael Jackson -- left a suicide note that was completely silent as to why he took his life ... sources connected ...

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Who were Michael Jackson lawyers?

Michael Jackson In 2004, Mesereau and Susan Yu were hired to replace attorneys Mark Geragos and Ben Brafman as lead trial counsel. Johnnie Cochran, who had represented Jackson during earlier molestation accusations, had recommended Mesereau to Jackson's family.

What happened to Michael Jackson's lawyer?

Howard Weitzman, L.A. attorney for Michael Jackson and other celebrities, dies at 81. Howard Weitzman, an attorney whose clients included Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and automaker John DeLorean, died April 7 in Los Angeles. He was 81. His wife, Margaret Weitzman, confirmed the death.Apr 9, 2021

Who was OJS lawyer?

O.J. Simpson (centre) and his attorneys F. Lee Bailey (left) and Johnnie Cochran reacting to the not-guilty verdict at Simpson's criminal trial, October 3, 1995.Feb 16, 2022

How much was Michael Jackson's lawyer paid?

A Superior Court judge signed a judgment Friday that awarded $216,837 along with $39,177 in interest to the Torrance firm of Ayscough & Marar, according to court records.Jul 17, 2007

What was Michael Jackson's net worth?

In 2018, the figure was $400 million. It was the eighth year since his death that Jackson's annual earnings were reported to be over $100 million, thus bringing Jackson's postmortem total to $2.4 billion. In 2020, Forbes recognized Jackson as the top-earning dead celebrity each year since his death except 2012.

Who did Johnny Cochran defend?

In addition to O.J. Simpson, Cochran's high profile clients have included Michael Jackson, Reginald Denny, Abner Louima, Geronimo Pratt (former Black Panther), Todd Bridges, James Brown, Angela Igwe, and Cynthia Wiggins. Cochran has been selected as one of the best trial lawyers in the country in 1994.

How did OJ not get convicted?

In the epic 252-day trial, Simpson's “dream team” of lawyers employed creative and controversial methods to convince jurors that Simpson's guilt had not been proved “beyond a reasonable doubt,” thus surmounting what the prosecution called a “mountain of evidence” implicating him as the murderer.

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer?

Kim Kardashian has passed a law exam and moved a step closer to being able to practice as an attorney in the state of California. Kardashian revealed that she passed the exam at the fourth attempt in an Instagram post published Monday.Dec 13, 2021

Who was Mark Fuhrman and what role did he play?

Mark Fuhrman (born February 5, 1952) is a former detective of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). He is primarily known for his part in the investigation of the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in the O. J. Simpson murder case.

How much does Thomas Mesereau cost?

Thomas Mesereau has a net worth of $25 million. Thomas Mesereau built his net worth as the founding partner of Mesereau & Yu Law Firm. He is probably most famous for successfully defending Michael Jackson of child molestation charges in 2005....Thomas Mesereau Net Worth.Net Worth:$25 MillionNationality:United States of America3 more rows

How much does Thomas Mesereau make?

Thomas Mesereau: $25 million He was Michael Jackson's attorney when he was acquitted of 14 child molestation charges and has won an unprecedented three federal criminal jury trials in a row. While his hourly rate is so high that it's not published, he also does pro bono work through the Mesereau Free Legal Clinic.

Who is Tom Mesereau wife?

But he and his partner, Susan Yu, left the case before trial after “a falling out” with Blake. None of the parties would discuss the case. But Mesereau's departure left him available when Michael Jackson came calling.Nov 23, 2005

What is the significance of Michael Jackson's case?

The Michael Jackson criminal prosecution underscores an important fact about the justice system in the United States. A person can be charged with a sexually abusing, assaulting, or molesting a person and found not guilty. Nevertheless, a civil claim can be brought against a person in Jackson’s position, resulting in a successful lawsuit for damages or a settlement of claims despite the outcome of a criminal case. The fact is that two very different judicial standards are applied in criminal and civil cases in the United States.

What happened to the Masterson case?

In June 2020 , Masterson was arrested on charges that he raped three different women, the case being brought against him after a three-year investigation by Los Angeles police. The Masterson prosecution is one of only a handful of criminal cases brought against celebrities alleged to have perpetrated crimes of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct during the #MeToo movement. Dozens of men have been investigated by law enforcement based on allegations of this nature. Few have been charged criminally. Nonetheless, many civil actions have been brought by women (and some men) who allege they have been sexually victimized.

Who was Michael Jackson's manager?

Michael Jackson. John Branca. Branca was hired by Jackson after he fired his father Joseph Jackson as his manager of his career. He was also an instrumental in the production and release of Michael Jackson's Thriller short film.

Who is the #1 music attorney in the world?

Marquis Who's Who named Branca the World's #1 Music Attorney in 2019. Branca is currently the chairman of The Michael Jackson Company, and serves as Co-Executor of the Michael Jackson Estate . Billboard named Branca its 2016 "Lawyer of the Year".

What was the Steel Wheels deal with the Rolling Stones?

For the Rolling Stones' 1989 Steel Wheels tour, Branca crafted a deal which, for the first time, centralized ticket sales, sponsorships, promotions and logistics with a national promoter, rather than numerous local promoters. Today, virtually all major concert tours follow this model.

Who is John Branca?

John Gregory Branca (born December 11, 1950 in Bronxville, New York ), is an entertainment lawyer and manager who specializes in representing rock and roll acts, as well as independent investors, music publishing catalogs, and independent music labels. He has represented over 30 acts in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including The Rolling Stones, ...

How many copies of thriller were sold?

In the five days following, the Thriller album - already out for 1½ years, sold another million copies. Ultimately, Thriller sold an estimated 110 million copies. The success of the video caused rock groups and record companies to consider music videos an essential part of the way rock music was packaged and sold.

Who was Elvis' mother?

His mother, Barbara May Theresa Werle (October 6, 1928 - January 1, 2013) was an entertainer and Harvest Moon Ball winner who danced on The Ed Sullivan Show. Werle's acting credits include the Elvis Presley films Tickle Me, Harum Scarum (1965) and Charro! (1969); Battle of the Bulge (1965), The Rare Breed (1966), Gunfight in Abilene (1967) and Krakatoa, East of Java (1968), as well as recurring roles in the television series San Francisco International Airport (1970–1971) and The Virginian, during the 1960s and 1970s. She moved to Los Angeles when Branca was four to pursue her show business career. Branca lived with his father, also named John, who later served as the New York State Athletic Commissioner. (His uncle, Ralph Branca, pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers for many years, including the 1947 World Series. He is portrayed in the Jackie Robinson biopic "42" as one of Robinson's earliest supporters.)

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Overview

Thomas Arthur Mesereau Jr. is an American attorney best known for successfully defending Michael Jackson in his 2005 child molestation trial, as well as representing many other celebrities.

Legal cases

Mesereau represented former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in a rape investigation conducted by the San Bernardino County, California District Attorney's Office in 2001. Charges were dropped.
Mesereau was the second lawyer during pre-trial proceedings in actor Robert Blake's case over the murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley. Blake's first attorney Harland Braun resigned over Blake's …

Pro bono work and awards

Although known for his celebrity cases, Mesereau is also an advocate for pro bono volunteer legal services. He has established a legal clinic in Los Angeles and accepts one capital murder case each year on behalf of a defendant in the Deep South who cannot afford representation.
In 2005, Barbara Walters named him one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People". GQ Magazine named him one of its "Men of the Year" in their December 2005 issue.

Personal life and education

Mesereau was educated at Phillips Academy, Harvard University (cum laude), the London School of Economics and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Bibliography

• Jones, Aphrodite; (2007). Michael Jackson Conspiracy. iUniverse. ISBN 0-9795498-0-9.
• Sullivan, Randall; (2012). Untouchable: The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson. Grove Press. ISBN 978-0-8021-1962-9.

External links

• Mesereau Law Group
• Mesereau Free Legal Clinic
• Transcript of 6/14/05 Appearance of Thomas Mesereau on Larry King Live
• Transcript of Appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno