Restoration of a performing artist’s rights and accounts against her manager

The situation

A performing artist in French popular song was sued by her manager, acting in the name of the company they held jointly. Brought against a background of deteriorating relations, the proceedings sought an order that the artist pay damages to their joint company. Caught in the middle of this governance dispute, she found herself exposed to a direct legal risk, the claim brought by her business partner turning the company itself into an instrument against her.

The difficulty

The threat was twofold. In financial terms, the artist faced a heavy personal award against her in favour of a company that had become hostile. In professional terms, the conflict with her manager unsettled the balance of their working relationship and threatened her public image as much as her peace of mind. Every procedural decision had immediate consequences for the viability of their joint venture, turning the working structure into a legal weapon.

Our involvement

The defence consisted in dismantling the manager’s litigation strategy and in showing that the claim brought in the name of the company was unfounded. By keeping a firm hold on the arguments put forward and securing each stage of the file, we obtained a ruling that the claim was abusive, which opened the way to compensation for the artist and established the liability of the opposing company. Unable to meet those awards, that company was placed in compulsory liquidation, bringing the dispute to an end.