It was Californias 2nd District Court of Appeal that overturned the verdict. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. Whether you're making your arrangements at time . On a day when his lawyer delivered a particularly blistering cross-examination of an FBI agent, DeLorean told reporters, All I can say is I thank God for Howard Weitzman.". He left his law practice in 1995 to work as vice president of corporate operations for Universal Studios. Despite continually working in the public eye, Weitzman maintained that the justice system would function better in private. Its clear she was selectively prosecuted because of who she is, he said. He also represented major motion picture studios as well as the powerhouse talent agencies William Morris, ICM and CAA, giving him a 360-degree view of the inner workings of the entertainment industry and a Rolodex of top-level connections that enhanced his reputation as a fixer. He attended Brooklyn Technical High Although he was best known for his celebrity criminal cases, Mr. Weitzman had extensive experience in business litigation and making deals. It was always an It Howard Weitzman. Howard loved adventure, and was passionate about wanting to live life to the fullest. Howard Lloyd Weitzman was born on Sept. 21, 1939. The 19-member county legislature held a moment of silence for Weitzman on Monday afternoon, and County Executive Laura Curran tweeted that county flags will be lowered to half-staff "in tribute to his memory.". Not a week goes by where something strange doesnt happen. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Meyer become one of Weitzmans most recent high-profile clients when the former NBC Universal executive was forced to step down in August after he admitted paying more than $2 million to actress Charlotte Kirk to cover up a previous sexual relationship. Howard's. All Rights Reserved. MCA was renamed Universal Studios in 1996. in Brownsville, and then Laurelton, Queens. The story also misidentified the law firm where Weitzman worked in the 1980s when he successfully defended auto executive John DeLorean against federal drug charges. At that point, the magazine said, his baseball coach, Rod Dedeaux, called the dean of the law school, who found a spot for Mr. Weitzman. Howard had a very profound presence, and an incredible wealth of wisdom and Howard Weitzman - In Memoriam | KWIKH Attorneys Contact Us (310) 566-9800 Howard Weitzman In Memoriam Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump Holley LLP mourns the loss of our beloved partner, mentor, and friend Howard Weitzman, who passed away on April 07, 2021. surrounded by his loving family on September 27th, 2021 at the age of 75 after a He was 81. The story also misidentified the law firm where Weitzman worked in the 1980s when he successfully defended auto executive John DeLorean against federal drug charges. Comptroller from 2001-2009. Weitzman also briefly represented Simpson in the days after the killing of the football stars ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and friend Ronald Goldman, with the lawyer on hand when police initially interrogated O.J. Weitzmans son Jed confirmed to Billboard that his father died peacefully at his Los Angeles home following a battle with cancer. He was an avid boater and avid tennis player.". Weitzmans son Jed told Billboard that his father died peacefully at his Pacific Palisades home Wednesday surrounded by family, listening to music from his favorite artists, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin and Joni Mitchell. As the pioneer and most centurion funeral home in Dearborn, Howe-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services serves the Dearborn, Taylor, Dearborn Heights and Downriver communities by honoring the compassion, honesty, integrity and professionalism of the original Howe and Peterson families. A prominent trial lawyer and dealmaker for half a century, Weitzman deftly defended some of Hollywoods biggest names, including Hugh Grant and O.J. 313-291-0900 February 12, 2023 (74 years old) View obituary. Howard Weitzman died from. Since 1971, the Harold W. Vick Funeral Home has provided dedicated and compassionate care to families of Mount Clemens and the surrounding communities in Macomb County. I was always more inclined to draw lines in the sand earlier in my career, he said. Howard Weitzman religion. In later decades Hollywood celebrities would be his most notable clients as he became a founding partner in the elite law firm Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump LLP. the University of Vermont and continue on to Montreal. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Weitzmans name to Los Angeles City College. In 2009, the co-executors of the Jackson estate enlisted Weitzman to lead litigation matters ranging from a royalties dispute with producer Quincy Jones to a copyright battle with Disney which Weitzman settled in December 2019 to the estates legal dispute with HBO and the Finding Neverland documentary. in tax return preparations and healthcare reimbursements. . Once his children finished college, he and his wife Susan traveled all This led It is a tragedy and a travesty of justice, Weitzman told jurors during the trial. From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. Howard Weitzman was remembered and praised by many in Nassau County's political establishment. Howard Weitzman, the Hollywood power lawyer perhaps best known for defending Michael Jackson and his estate, has died. From 1995 to 1998, Weitzman was the Executive Vice President of Corporate Operations for Universal Studios. I believe it changes how people act, that is, the lawyers, the witnesses, the judges. An avid jazz collector, he was a two-time recipient of the Jerry Geisler Memorial Award for outstanding trial work in Los Angeles. In a 1984 trial during which the jury heard audiotapes of Mr. DeLorean making incriminating statements, Mr. Weitzman demolished the credibility of a key informant, argued that the F.B.I. Just before the trial was to begin, Mr. Weitzman announced that the two had reached an agreement, and the suit was dropped. Weitzman died Wednesday in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles after a brief illness, his wife, Margaret Weitzman, said. Howard Weitzman crimes. A renowned trial lawyer and deal-maker, Howard skillfully handled some of the most famous cases in Hollywood, his law firm, Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert, said in a statement. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. Simpson whose case he decided to drop before the trial began. Weitzman came to national fame as defence attorney for DeLorean, who was accused of cocaine trafficking in 1982. We are heartbroken at the passing of our friend and colleague Howard Weitzman, said a statement from Jacksons estate. We are here to assist and guide you every step of the way during this difficult and emotional time. Review Us!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.reviewmgr.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, "script", "reviewmgr-wjs"); Find resources to plan your own final wishes. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. degree at the University of Southern California in 1962 and his J.D. visit. In addition to his wife, Mr. Weitzman is survived by two sons, Armen and Jed, and two grandchildren. Simpson and Michael Jackson, died Wednesday following a . to his nomination and successful campaign as Nassau county comptroller in 2001. This, Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. [6], Weitzman taught trial advocacy at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law for 12 years. It was on behalf of notorious automaker John DeLorean in the 1980s and O.J. of an incredible team of doctors and a devoted sister who gave him her kidney. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Weitzman, and sons Jed and Armen Weitzman. His first job was working at his parents grocery business. Weitzman represented Simpson until shortly after the football legend was arrested in connection with the killings of his ex-wife and her friend, Ron Goldman. ", Weitzman was first elected comptroller in 2001 on a ticket with Thomas Suozzi, a Glen Cove Democrat and candidate for county executive. From 1995-98, Weitzman served as vice president of corporate operations for Universal Studios. Murdoch has survived scandal after scandal. Over the course of six decades in entertainment, Weitzmans stable of clients grew to include Marlon Brando, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Courtney Love, Morgan Freeman, Axl Rose, Sean Combs and more. Mr. Weitzman also prevailed on appeal in 2020 in a case against the Jackson estate brought by Quincy Jones, Mr. Jacksons longtime producer, over unpaid royalties; his win reduced the estates liability to roughly $2.5 million from $9.4 million. The city attorney disputed Mr. Weitzmans interpretation, saying the judge had simply shown that no one was above the law. The Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state board that controls the county's finances and to which Weitzman was appointed in 2016, said in a statement: "With the passing of Howard Weitzman, Nassau County has lost a tireless advocate and dedicated public servant. college, he planned a trip to navigate the Erie Canal and Lake Cayuga to arrive at He was 81. He was married to Stacey Weitzman (who later wed actor Henry Winkler) and interior designer Margaret Weitzman. He was a great help to me when I was county executive. He also represented O.J. - USC Gould School of Law", "Howard Weitzman, Hollywood Power Lawyer, Dies at 81", "Howard Weitzman Dies: Heavyweight Lawyer Repped Michael Jackson, O. J. Simpson, CAA, Marlon Brando & More", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Howard_Weitzman&oldid=1114077949, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 October 2022, at 17:56. 5:37 p.m. May 2, 2021: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said a federal appeals court in 1994 overturned an $8.1 million verdict against actor Kim Basinger in a lawsuit against Main Line Pictures. Anyone can read what you share. His wife said he died of complications of amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder. They were married in May 1969 We send our love and condolences to Howards wife Margaret, his sons Armen and Jed, and to his many clients, friends, and admirers. He took the LSAT but didnt score high enough to be admitted to U.S.C.s law school, according to Southern California Super Lawyers. Howard Weitzman age. Please enter valid email address to continue. Anousha Sakoui is an entertainment industry writer for the Los Angeles Times, covering topics such as labor and litigation in Hollywood. One of his most famous clients was Michael Jackson, whom he represented against allegations of sexual abuse and against claims involving his tangled estate. Burial & Cremation Services with Dignity, Compassion, Dignity and Respect. He was a member of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, as well as former county comptroller. Mr. Weitzman in 2009 with John Branca, who had recently been named the executor of Michael Jackson's estate, in front of Los Angeles Superior Court. Sign up for Rolling Stones Newsletter. Weitzman, who also represented Jackson during his life, was among the singer's most vocal defenders amidst abuse allegations, rarely missing a chance to publicly proclaim Jackson's innocence. All Rights Reserved. He loved to play racquetball and tennis, to jog and workout, and while he often went practice until his retirement from the business world in 2000. February 10, 2023 (92 years old) View obituary. Weitzman briefly represented O. J. Simpson after he was accused of killing his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Howard Weitzman children. 313-561-1500 At this time he and his partner Jerry Sloane started their own firm specializing He defended Jackson and his estate against creditor claims and accusations of pedophilia, most recently prompted by HBOs 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.. howard goldstein obituary. He quickly turned it to his advantage, addressing the news media and the court of public opinion from the front of the courthouse. The attorney, whose client list included almost every studio, plus CAA, William Morris and other major agencies, as well as a long list of stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Britney Spears and Sean Combs, died Wednesday night at his home in Pacific Palisades after a battle with cancer. After the singers death in 2009, Weitzman also led a lawsuit against Lloyds of London in a claim against an insurance policy covering the pop stars planned This Is It concert tour. degree in 1965. Ellen Birnbaum (D-Great Neck) said Weitzman would be credited for helping to right the county's finances and added: "Some will say he was responsible for bringing the county back to fiscal solvency. experience. He was instrumental in putting Nassau County on firm He works in Forest Hills, NY and specializes in General . Cornell University. He made this point in 2007 while representing Paris Hilton, who was caught driving without her license, which had been suspended after a drunk-driving conviction. Taylor, Upon his passing, his firm of Kinsella Weitzman made the following statement: Our beloved friend and partner Howard Weitzman passed away yesterday. He continued in the Weitzman was the lead attorney in more than 300 civil and criminal jury trials and represented more than 1,000 individuals and companies on such matters as intellectual property, entertainment family law and estates. His wife, Margaret Weitzman, confirmed. Simpson. RIP Howard, you will always be a giant.. He took his kids on The fiery side he showed during the DeLorean trial and occasionally during others came out rarely. Mr. Weitzman, representing Mr. Bieber, said that his client would submit to such a test and at the same time threatened to countersue the woman, saying she was making a bogus claim. Howard Weitzman, Nassau County's comptroller from 2002 to 2009 who was known for challenging establishment politics through the power of the audit during this time in office, died Sept. 27 of a He also repped at times Arnold Schwarzenegger, Courtney Love, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Sean Combs, Chuck Lorre and Magic Johnson. She dropped her suit. He was often ranked as one of the most influential lawyers in the country. Although he was best known for his celebrity criminal cases, the lawyer also had extensive experience in business litigation and making deals, including work for Interscope Communications and former basketball star Earvin Magic Johnson. Howard Weitzman, a longtime Hollywood power attorney and partner with Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert law firm who represented top celebrities from Marlon Brando to Michael Jackson. over the world to visit them from Cambodia, to Australia, to Italy. Weitzman claimed to have introduced Simpson to members of the "Dream Team," including Johnnie Cochran, before removing himself from the case. Working there on occasion, he developed an ability to converse with a wide variety of people. 2nd District Court of Appeal that overturned the verdict. Select from a wide variety of fully catered options. In later years, he was publicly cagey about the reasons he left Simpsons side, though he did take credit for introducing Simpson to some of the other members of his legal team, including Johnnie Cochran. After Even 10 years after Mr. Jacksons death in 2009, Mr. Weitzman, always a vocal defender of his client, was still trying to uphold his name and sued HBO over its documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men said he had sexually molested them as children. Before the Dream Team came along, he represented Simpson when the former NFL star was arrested in connection with the brutal slaying of ex-wife Nicole and her lover, Ron Goldman. Weitzman is survived by his wife, Margaret, and sons, Jed and Armen. / KCAL News. He got his undergrad degree at Los Angeles . Howard Weitzman, the high-powered Hollywood lawyer with an A-list clientele that included O.J. Howard Weitzman Death - Obituary, Funeral, Cause Of Death Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Howard Weitzman, one of the truly great public servants. See where your favorite artists and songs rank on the Rolling Stone Charts. [1] His other famous clients included Justin Bieber,[2] O.J. Simpson,[3] and John DeLorean.[4]. You learn pretty quickly to speak in sound bites if possible., Reporters found him helpful, congenial and entertaining, The Washington Post reported during the DeLorean trial. Howard Lloyd Weitzman (September 21, 1939 - April 7, 2021) was an American entertainment lawyer active in matters ranging from intellectual property and entertainment issues to family law and estate issues. He was a member of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, as well as. FatalDeaths.com. His press conference on courtroom steps during the DeLorean trial captured attention. Simpson after Mr. Simpson was charged with two counts of murder in 1994. EDMONTON A Edmonton homeless man whose spontaneous piano performance was viewed on theinternetby millions ofpeople has died. Weitzman cited a heavy workload for leaving the case. American singer, songwriter, and dancer (19582009), Former wife of American football player O. J. Simpson, a royalties dispute with producer Quincy Jones. Max, Morris and Ema; his sister and brother-in-law Leslie and Edward Kornfeld; and Michigan 48124, 313-561-1500 Simpson, Marlon Brando, Morgan Freeman, Magic Johnson and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Former Florida Gov. He was 81. 313-561-2363 Lorne J. D'Arcy. Part of my reasoning for talking to the media at all was to try and even the scales, Mr. Weitzman told Southern California Super Lawyers magazine in an interview in 2008. They won. "Everyone here in the comptroller's office is sad and . adventure. She also called him a "straight shooter," adding, "He loved life. Although Weitzman split with Simpson, the attorney nevertheless maintained controversial clients throughout his career, perhaps none more so than Michael Jackson, who regularly cycled through lawyers. 22546 Michigan Ave A decade later, Weitzman represented John DeLorean during that automakers cocaine trafficking trial. In order to take his son Peter to A renowned trial lawyer and dealmaker, Howard skillfully handled some of the most famous cases in Hollywood. He defended the estate against collaborators and creditors seeking a piece of the money Jackson left behind, and against two men who alleged Jackson molested them as boys, also leading the lawsuit against HBO for airing those allegations in the documentary Leaving Neverland.. Recently, he battled the IRS in a high-stakes case over estate taxes and HBO over the 2019 sex abuse documentaryLeaving Neverland. Suzanne Weitzman called her husband of 52 years a "loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother and uncle." Village Trustee and then as Mayor of Great Neck Estates from 1989-1995. [10], Weitzman twice won the Jerry Giesler Memorial Award as an outstanding trial lawyer in Los Angeles County.[11]. He studied at Los Angeles City College before transferring to the University of Southern California, from which he graduated in 1962 with a degree in physical education. One of the first lawyers to face round-the-clock television coverage of a big trial, Mr. Weitzman turned it to his advantage. The Honorable Howard Weitzman passed away at his home in North Hills, NY, Howard Weitzman, an influential and wildly successful attorney who represented some of the biggest names in Hollywood has died. His first marriage, to Stacey Cooper Furstman, ended in divorce. The lawyer Howard Weitzman, known for his many high-profile clients, speaking at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Calif., in 2014. Howard Weitzman is confirmed dead at the age of 81. [1] LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - Attorney Howard Weitzman, whose clients included O.J. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. (Coincidentally, Weitzman last recalled seeing the entertainer at Cochrans memorial in 2005. Yacht Club. A 1965 graduate of the University of Southern California Law Center, he worked his way up to partner at Wyman, Bautzer, Kuchel & Silbert and began cultivating top clients. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Weitzman had spoken about his fight with the disease. told Southern California Super Lawyers magazine, The Washington Post reported during the DeLorean trial, HBO over its documentary Leaving Neverland,, case against the Jackson estate brought by Quincy Jones, He worked there until being ousted in a management reshuffle, much of the nation had ground to a halt waiting for the verdict. That is my opinion, he told Super Lawyers, based on time spent with him before the incident occurred, time spent with him after the murders occurred, and observing at arms length the facts brought out during the trial., He said he had no regrets about not participating in the spectacle. He said later that his experience at Universal had helped him better evaluate whether to take a case to trial. financial footing. The case was ultimately settled. working on Bill Bradleys presidential campaign, he attended the democratic When a young fan accused Justin Bieber of fathering her child in 2011, she demanded that he take a DNA test. His client list read like a Whos Who of the last half-centurys superstars, among them Marlon Brando, Magic Johnson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean Diddy Combs, Justin Bieber, Ozzy Osbourne, Morgan Freeman and Britney Spears. We invite you to join our mailing list to receive updates on all obituaries posted on our website. Will Dominion-Fox News lawsuit be different? Howard T. Jackson Obituary. He was predeceased by : his significant other . HBOs 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland., Chuck Lorre, cocreator of Two and a Half Men,. Howard was born in Brooklyn, NY to Faye and William Weitzman in 1945 and raised in Brownsville, and then Laurelton, Queens. Weitzman taught trial advocacy at USCs law school for 12 years. Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. ", Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) said in a statement: "For decades, Howard Weitzman called upon his vast intellect and fiscal expertise to serve the residents of Nassau County. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. American entertainment lawyer (19392021), "Justin Bieber settles lawsuit with ex-bodyguard Moshe Benabou - CNN.com", "The Music Industry's Top Lawyers 2016: Who Made the List? Howard started his career in a large accounting firm and quickly realized that he He also made lawsuits disappear. Cross. degree at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law (1965). Howard and Susan raised their three children, Catherine, Peter and Matthew in Howard has always been a relentless fighter for righteous causes and ferociously fought for Michael during his lifetime and after.. Jeb Bush confirmed Thursday ATLANTA Former U.S. Sen. Zell Miller, a lifelong Democrat and the father of Georgia's lottery-funded HOPE scholarship while serving as governor, died Friday. Peter and Jessica Weitzman, Matthew and Alexa Weitzman; his grandchildren Leo, People often came to him for advice or guidance, and he was always so Weitzman was a founding partner at Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump LLP (KWIKA),[5] a boutique litigation firm in Santa Monica, California. He was named one of the top 15 lawyers in the country by the National Law Journal and twice received the Jerry Giesler Memorial Award for outstanding trial lawyer in Los Angeles County. After a 14-year-old boy accused Mr. Jackson of sexually molesting him, Mr. Weitzman and Johnnie Cochran Jr., another superstar defense lawyer, helped short-circuit the boys civil suit by having Mr. Jackson pay him a sum believed to be in the millions of dollars. Before becoming a powerful Hollywood entertainment lawyer, one of Weitzmans first brush with celebrity came in 1973 when he was the court-appointed lawyer for Manson family member Mary Brunner. We are there for youBefore, During and Afteryour loss. Whether you are planning in advance or a loved one has recently passed, we promise to explain all of your options and answer all your questions. Weitzman originally told the media that Simpson was on a flight to Chicago at the time of the murders, then bowed out of the case, citing a heavy workload. Find Providers by Specialty Find Providers by Procedure . He sought a career in baseball, winning a college national championship as a second baseman in 1961, but when hopes of a major league career diminished he went to law school at the University of Southern California. Survivors include his sons, Jed and Armen, the latter known for playing the manservant Garfield on the 2015-18 Comedy Central seriesAnother Period. He loved baseball and hoped to make a career of it, but when that didnt materialize, a friend suggested he try law school. Ross A. Lincoln | April 7, 2021 @ 9:20 PM. Weitzman was born in Los Angeles in 1939. degree at the University of Southern California (1962) and his J.D. white water rafting trips and was an avid boater. He also lectured at Harvard University, the Georgetown University Law Center and UCLA. He pursued a career in baseball, playing second base for a team that won the national college championship in 1961. Now I try to avoid the actual trial and resolve it short of litigation.. The subject of his talk was the trial of O.J. ", NIFA board Chairman Adam Barsky added separately: "I have lost a friend whose wisdom and advice I had come to rely on as NIFA seeks to help the county. Suozzi, now serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, said Weitzman "had a brilliant mind and was very devoted to helping people. RIP Howard, you will always be a giant.. He revelled in his role as Nassau Countys Fiscal Watchdog and served as Privacy Policy |Terms of service |Subscription terms |Your ad choices |Cookie Settings |California Privacy Rights |About Us |Contact Newsday |Reprints & permissions |Advertise with Newsday |Help. He gave them insights into his legal strategy, the paper said, as well as a steady supply of his own humorous asides and highly quotable denunciations of the government and its informer.. Justin Bieber in a case against Mariah Yeater, He was ousted in a management reshuffle under, after he admitted paying more than $2 million to actress, Charlotte Kirk and the sex scandals roiling Hollywood. quality time with them. A private funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Temple Israel of Great Neck. He was 81. 313-291-0919 Howards wit, charm, and brilliant legal mind are legendary, and we will miss him dearly.. Burial is to be in Montefiore Cemetery in Springfield Gardens, Queens. He began his criminal law practice in 1965 and established himself as an energetic defender in sometimes notorious cases. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy. Suozzi and Weitzman were defeated in 2009 and 2013 by the Republican ticket of Edward Mangano for county executive and George Maragos for comptroller. Dr. Howard Weitzman, is a General Dentistry specialist practicing in Forest Hills, NY with 46 years of experience. Howard Weitzman, an entertainment lawyer whose client list bristled with the names of some of the nation's most famous, and infamous, celebrities including Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and,.