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EXCLUSIVE: Just hours after the international media feasted on Charlie Sheen’s juicy lawsuit against Warner Bros. and Chuck Lorre comes news that it may not go any further. We’ve learned that Warner Bros. has succeeded in officially putting the contract dispute into arbitration. “It’s been commenced and approved by JAMS,” an insider tells us, referring to Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services. “It’s a definite go.” The Warner Bros./Charlie Sheen contract, like most in Hollywood, calls for private arbitration to settle all disputes. But with its lawsuit filed today, Team Charlie is trying to draw the studio and its executive producer Chuck Lorre into a messy public court battle. Both Warner Bros.’ legal eagles and Lorre’s attorney Howard Weitzman now will try to include Lorre in the arbitration, too. (Aw, but where’s the fun in that?) As for Sheen’s $100 million lawsuit filed by litigator Marty Singer today, a studio insider derided it as “rambling, as if Charlie was helping dictate it.”
NO DAY IN COURT? Warner Bros Succeeds In Putting Charlie Sheen Dispute Into Arbitration; May Include Chuck Lorre, Too
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This post makes no sense. To the extent it suggests that the court case is over and has been moved to arbitration, it is incorrect. All that appears to have happened is that Warner has filed a demand for arbitration with JAMS (not, as the post says, “JAM”). This is not news; the letter from Warners’ attorneys to Sheen’s released March 7 states, “Warner Bros. has submitted this dispute to arbitration before JAMS, as required by the Agreement.”
What will likely happen next is that Warners’ lawyers will move in court to compel arbitration. If they succeed, the complaint Marty Singer filed yesterday will be dismissed (at least as to Warner), and the dispute between Sheen and Warner will be resolved in JAMS arbitration. Whether Lorre could compel arbitration is a more difficult question.
That’s correct, with one proviso, based on a similar situation I had with Mr. Singer’s firm (BTW I’ve always found him and the other attorneys at his firm to be highly professional and courteous). Instead of an answer to the civil suit, I filed a motion to compel arbitration, which suspended (but did not dismiss) the civil proceeding until the arbitraton was done. Once the arbitration was successfully completed, the civil case formally dismissed.
UI think this whole situation is disgraceful….i guess there are no more moral clauses like there used to be..Too bad WB and Lorre have to go through this..Sheen should be put away…
and you have all the facts?
Blah blah blah
that must be the smartest comment I’ve ever read or heard from an attorney in a long time.
What’s an attorney at FILM?
Arbitration is by no means a defeat in entertainment law. I have successfully represented a number of entertainment clients in arbitration cases resulting in substantial victories for plaintiffs. Charlie showed up for work and performed. If Warner Bros. had a problem with Charlie on the set hitting marks, why wasn’t it persued prior to the blow up. Charlie will prevail with a substantial settlement in accordance with his contract that states he continue to be paid as long as the show runs. Mark my words.
You don’t think WB can successfully argue that the blowup itself was enough cause to end the show? What if they end the show rather than replace Sheen with Stamos, can they say that the show is no longer running so the contract is nullified?
Per the complaint, Charlie was pay or play for a GUARANTEED number of episodes (think it was 24), so I hope that answers your question.
You are absolutely correct Saul. Charlie IS WINNING.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! This applies to everyone! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
OK, thank you for your helpful suggestion.
warner’s checkbook is out.
the “chuck lorre” part of the equation is interesting.
what fun.
Money for nothing.
Yes, but apparently, the chicks are not free with Charlie…
In the end everyone will get paid. Did we think this was going any other way?
This is a high-stakes battle over public disclosure of Warners’ internal documents. In arbiration, these documents are kept private. In court, they are public when part of the record, except in rare circumstances. Sheen’s lawyer wants leverage over Warners with the threat of public disclosure of its agreements with Chuck Lorre and CBS. He hopes that will force a settlement. Warners wants their business affairs kept private.
Good for Charlie if he can ge WB to open up it’s books in court (even one of it’s several sets).
As for his personal life, and what he does in his own home, on his own time, this is none of anybody’s business. That includes WB. Charlie’s home is his castle.
We have protected, guaranteed, rights: to live in peace and to enjoy the privacy of our own homes.
If Charlie reported for work, fulfilling his contract obligations, as apparently he did, WB hasn’t got a leg to stand on.
He’s brilliant, IMHO.
I suspect the court would seal the record if requested but why bother? The complaint already outlined the key terms of the agreement.
Women at Warners are paid much less than men on the dollar… actresses, writers, directors and execs in TV and movies. That’s the story that needs to come out. Notice there are no women in the upper ranks.
Beth it’s because it’s a MAN’S world, get your brainless head out of your a** and bow down to me.
Beth’s point deserved respect.
Now, go lick the beer off the floor of your fraternity, and let the professionals continue the discussion.
Thank you. Beth’s point had nothing to do with the article above, but it didn’t merit such a stupid remark. I mean, guy could’ve at least tried to be funny…
Beth’s point is well taken and it did have something to do with the article because WB doesn’t want any part of their business looked at. They have everything to lose. WB will always arbitrate because they want their books kept closed to the public eye.
The whole point of arbitration is to avoid a jury. Why? Because juries are made up of dumbasses too stupid to know how to get out of jury duty. I.e. they are exactly the kinds of morons that might actually award Charlie Sheen damages.
Arbitration also keeps everything private. Which is huge for the studios.
Every Hollywood contract has an arbitration clause these days. You don’t like it? Don’t sign it.
But then you can’t work.
It really does kinda blow.
Actually, the reason why most entertainment contracts call for arbitration is BECAUSE IT IS CHEAPER than going to court and it is binding. You do not need an attorney for arbitration and you don’t usually have weeks and weeks of testimony and EBTs and depositions, etc.
And, Howard & Marty are wringing there hands and drooling with glee! Ooooo, those mounting fees$$$$$$$$$$$
In almost EVERY major studio employment agreement I’ve read, and I’ve read many, there is a clause that says if an issue is NOT arbitrable per state or federal law, the venue is the court of competent jurisdiction. Let’s see what happens.
In the past major studio employment agreement/contract disputes–what issues were found to be NOT arbitrable? Who will pay the abitrator(s)–or do Warners and Sheen and whoever else gets drawn in share the fee/costs?