Adam Streisand Explained

Adam Streisand
Birth Name:	Adam Frederic Streisand
Birth Date:	9 June 1963
Birth Place:	New York City, US
Occupation:	Attorney
Years Active:	31
Education:	Trinity College American University Washington College of Law

Adam Fredric Streisand^[1] (born June 9, 1963, in New York City)^[2] is an American trial attorney notable for his involvement in high profile litigation with regard to private wealth disputes: "Adam Streisand is widely regarded as one of the nation's top trial attorneys, particularly in high profile litigation involving private wealth disputes, fiduciary litigation, business succession and partnership disputes and litigation involving trusts, estates and conservatorships."^{[3] [4] [5]} He is credited with "rescuing" both NBA franchises in Los Angeles, having represented former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at trial against Donald Sterling over the Los Angeles Clippers,^[6] and Jeanie Buss in litigation over control of the Los Angeles Lakers.^{[7] [8] [9] [10]} Streisand also represents Dea Spanos Berberian and Georgia Angelos in litigation involving succession and control over the LA Chargers and Baltimore Orioles, respectively.^{[11] [12]} Streisand is named one of the top trial lawyers in the U.S. by the L.A. business journal, and one of the most influential people in Los Angeles,^{[3] [4] [5] [13]} for these and many other victories in battles over the estates of the rich and famous, including Michael Jackson,^[14] Tom Petty,^[15] Hugh Hefner,^[16] Muhammad Ali, Ray Charles, Marilyn Monroe,^[17] Marlon Brando, Douglas Tompkins,^{[18] [19] [20]} Barry White, Dennis Hopper, Michael Crichton,^{[21] [22]} Anna Nicole Smith, Rodney Dangerfield, Rock Hudson,^[23] Joey Bishop, Bing Crosby, Gore Vidal,^{[24] [25]} Carroll Shelby, Alan Thicke,^[26] Terry Semel^[27] Allen Paulson^[28] and others.

Career

Early career

Streisand graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, with a BA in history.^[29] During college, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris for one academic year.^[29] After college, he served as legislative aide to U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md).^[29] Streisand graduated cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law, a member of the Honor Society, and an editor of the Law Review.^[29]

Streisand began his legal career litigating entertainment cases. On behalf of his clients, Beastie Boys and Capitol Records, Streisand won the first digital sampling case in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, Newton v. Diamond, et al.^{[30] [31]} Streisand won a palimony case for comedian Bill Maher brought by former girlfriend, Coco Johnson.^{[32] [33]} Streisand achieved a significant settlement against Faye Dunaway, Terrence McNally and others over the film rights to the stage play Master Class for producer Lester Persky.^[34] Streisand successfully defended Diana Ross in a copyright infringement action by photographer Art Shay. He successfully litigated a copyright infringement action for BMG Music Publishing against Melissa Etheridge. Streisand represented Quincy Jones, the key witness in the defamation trial by Steve Wynn against "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis, in which the jury returned a $40 million verdict.^[35] Streisand obtained an injunction for Jacques Cousteau against the use of the Cousteau name in connection with a Fiji resort against Jean-Michel Cousteau and others. Britney Spears retained Streisand in connection with the petition to establish a conservatorship over the singer.^{[36] [37] [38] [39]} Streisand successfully represented Kobe Bryant in a defamation action.

Estate litigation

Streisand transitioned from entertainment litigation to trust and estate litigation, becoming well known for success in celebrity estate cases.^{[40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47]} He has been recognized for achievements in traditional or non-celebrity estate cases.^{[48] [49] [50]} Streisand has been widely acknowledged as a leading American trial attorney, particularly in the field of trust and estate litigation.^{[3] [51] [52] [53] [54]} Streisand is noted as one of the best trial attorneys in the country and for his strategic vision. Streisand is well known as the architect of the strategy to rely on an arcane provision of the California probate code, section 1310b, and resulting trial victory for Steve Ballmer resulting in his $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers.^[55] Given Streisand's well acknowledged expertise, he is also involved in the drafting of legislation, including in particular, due to his experience in both entertainment and estates, amendments drafted by Streisand to the California Celebrities Rights Act to ensure the protection of a deceased celebrity's name and likeness and its descendibility to the celebrity's heirs.^[56] The estate of Marilyn Monroe retained Streisand to draft the amendments to the California Celebrities Rights Act.

Recognition

• In 2015 and 2017, Mr. Streisand was recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers, in the field of Litigation, trusts and estates.^[57]
• In 2015, 2017 and 2018, the Daily Journal named Streisand as one of the top trial attorneys in the nation.^{[58] [59]}
• In 2016, Streisand was recognized by The National Law Journal as a Divorce, Trusts & Estates Trailblazer.^[60]
• The Chambers HNW guide published by Chambers & Partners, individually ranked Streisand in the Private Wealth Law category for Southern California and he was also ranked nationally in the Private Wealth Disputes category. In 2019, Chambers & Partners named Streisand as the U.S. Trusts and Estates Litigator of the Year.^[61]
• In 2017 and 2018, Lawdragon named Streisand as one of the top "Leading Lawyers in America."^{[62] [63]}
• The Los Angeles Business Journal named Adam Streisand as Litigation Attorney of the year in 2018 for his rare and wide expertise in disputes involving entertainment and intellectual property issues.^[64]
• In 2020, 2022, and 2023, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Adam Streisand as one of the “Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers” which highlights “the very best litigators in the business.”^{[65] [66] [67]}
• In 2020, Citywealth, a UK financial magazine, named Streisand one of the top 50 private wealth attorneys in North America, one of the top 100 private client lawyers and one of the 100 litigation attorneys worldwide.
• In 2021, he was selected by the Hollywood Reporter for their 15th annual Power Lawyers list which highlights the top entertainment lawyers in the industry.^[68]
• Streisand was named by the Daily Journal as a top 100 Lawyer in California for 2022.^[69]
• In 2022, Streisand was named one of the "Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022" by Citywealth.^[70]
• The LA Business Journal has also named Adam Streisand as one of the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles for 5 years in a row^[71] and Who's Who in Law in 2023.^[72]
• The Hollywood Reporter listed Streisand as a power lawyer in trusts and estates in their 2022 and 2023 "Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters".^{[73] [74]}

Personal life

Adam Streisand is married to writer, director and producer Sofia Streisand,^[75] and they have one son, Pierre Streisand. He also has two daughters, Lena Streisand, an attorney, and Olivia Streisand, a documentary filmmaker, from a previous marriage to journalist Betsy Streisand. ^[76] Adam is a cousin of famous singer and actress, Barbra Streisand.^[77] He is an avid cyclist and an adventurist. He has camped near the North Pole, trekked in the Himalayas and crossed the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean on his bike.^[78]

Filmography

Streisand has appeared as himself in Framing Britney Spears, The New York Times Presents, in the Netflix documentary, Britney vs Spears, and in guest appearances on Cuomo Prime Time, CNN Newsroom with Pamela Brown, America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, and Your World with Neil Cavuto.^[79] Streisand is featured in the December 2022 Discovery+ docuseries Jamie Vs Britney: The Father Daughter Trials.

Bibliography

• "Till Death Do We Divorce", Trusts and Estates Quarterly, Vol. 25, Issue 4, 2019
• "Cryptocurrencies and Trustees' Duty to Invest Prudently: Navigating Fiduciary Duties in the Age of Decentralization", Trusts and Estates Quarterly, Vol. 24, Issue 3, 2018
• Que Je T'Aime: L'affaire d'Heritage de Johnny Hallyday, National Law Review, August 2018
• “What Should Attorneys Have In Their Engagement Agreements”, ACTEC Podcast, February 2018
• California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, “Tortious Interference With Inheritance: Is It A Brave New World, Part II?”, Vol. 18, Issue 3, 2012
• California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, “Tortious Interference With Inheritance: Is It A Brave New World?”, Vol. 18, Issue 2, 2012
• ABA Trust & Investments: "Mental Disorders that Erode Capacity" by Adam F. Streisand, Esq. and James Edward Spar, M.D.
• ACTEC Journal: "A Lawyer's Guide to Diminishing Capacity and Effective Use of Medical Experts in Contemporaneous and Retrospective Evaluations" by Adam F. Streisand, Esq. and James Edward Spar, M.D.
• Planning & Community Property Law Journal, Vol.3, Book 2, Spring 2011: Malpractice Melee: Fending Off The Disgruntled And Disappointed, An Estate Planner's Field Guide, by Adam F. Streisand, Esq.
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly: "Rumors of Their Death are Greatly Exaggerated: the Pre-Death Will Contest and Other Strategies in Conservatorship Litigation", Vol.12, Issue 1, Spring 2006.
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly: "Gone But Not Forgotten: Celebrity Estates and Intellectual Property Rights", Vol.11, Issue 1, Spring 2005.
• Hollywood Reporter: "Nine Things Entertainment Lawyers Should Know About Probate" (Nov. 6, 2007)
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly, "No-Contest Clauses Need To Be Reformed, Not Abolished", Vol.10, Issue 3, Fall 2004
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly, "Tapping The Trust To Fund The Battle: When Trustees Can Use Trust Funds To Litigate With Beneficiaries", Vol.9, Issue 1, Spring 2003.
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly: "The Jury Is Back: Where There's A Will, Finding New Ways", Vol.8, Issue 1, Spring 2002.
• Cornell International Law Journal: "Conflicts of International Inheritance Laws in the Age of Multinational Lives", Vol.54, Issue 4, Fall 2020.
• L'OBS: "Le Jour De L’audience Pour Britney, on Ignorait Que La Cour L’avait Déjà Mise Sous Tutelle" by Adam F. Streisand
• Estate Planning Course Materials Journal, "Claims Against Irrevocable Trusts in Divorce Proceedings: Select Topics from a Litigator's Perspective", January 2022.
• Trusts & Estates Quarterly, "If I Get Married, I Want to Be Very Married. The Godfather of Soul, Richard Pryor and Other Post-Death Challenges Tell Us: How Married You Are Depends on the State", Vol.28, Issue 2, Spring 2022.

External links

• New York Daily News-Topics: Adam Streisand
• Streisand Photography
• Radar Online: Adam Streisand

Notes and References

1. Web site: Adam Fredric Streisand Profile | Los Angeles, CA Lawyer. Martindale.com. November 22, 2021.
2. Book: Hubbell, Martindale . March 2002 . Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (2002) . . 9781561604913 .
3. Web site: Leaders in Law Honorees - Attorney Awards: Adam Streisand . Los Angeles Business Journal. February 12, 2018.
4. Web site: Top Litigators in Los Angeles: Adam F. Streisand. Los Angeles Business Journal . August 22, 2018.
5. Web site: Adam Streisand - Los Angeles Business Journal. Labusinessjournal.com. July 30, 2018.
6. News: Donald Sterling Loses Bid to Block Sale of Clippers. Billy. Witz. The New York Times. July 28, 2014.
7. Web site: It was 16 months ago when Jeanie Buss made a daring move to seize control of the Lakers. Nathan. Fenno. Los Angeles Times. July 4, 2018.
8. News: In stopping her brothers' attempted takeover, Jeanie Buss shows she's in charge of Lakers — for now. Bill. Plaschke. Los Angeles Times. March 4, 2017.
9. Web site: Family or franchise? Jeanie Buss' choice was easy. April 11, 2017. ESPN.com.
10. News: La guerre en héritage : La mauvaise passe des Lakers. Stéphane. Loignon. July 17, 2018. French. Le Parisien.
11. Web site: June 10, 2022 . Spanos sued by sister as Chargers feud escalates . July 21, 2022 . ESPN.com . en.
12. Web site: Veterans of legal battles over Michael Jackson estate and against O.J. Simpson jump into Angelos fray . July 21, 2022 . Baltimore Sun.
13. Top 100 Lawyers in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal. September 22, 2010. From his victory in the landmark copyright case, Newton v. Diamond, in which he represented the Beastie Boys and Capitol Records... Streisand has transitioned into a nationally recognized trust and estate litigator. His practice is unique in that he is the rare lawyer in the field with an expertise in disputes involving entertainment and intellectual property issues. He has been in courtroom battles over the estates of Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Marlon Brando, Michael Crichton, Anna Nicole Smith, Rodney Dangerfield, Dennis Hopper, William Randolph Hearst and many more..
14. Web site: Jackson family lawyer: 'New evidence' in battle for estate . Cnn.com.
15. Tom Petty's Widow Files New Appeals Against Daughters in Escalating Battle Over Late Rocker's Trust. Billboard.,Web site: Tom Petty's Daughters File Lawsuit Against His Widow. Variety. May 15, 2019.
16. Web site: Hugh Hefner's Estate is Selling Off All His Playboy Ownership (UPDATE). Ryan. Naumann. Mike. Walters. Gary. Trock. Liz. Walters. December 22, 2017. The Blast.
17. Web site: Law Decides Who Owns a Dead Star's Image. NPR.org.
18. Web site: Daughter seeks millions from Esprit co-founder Douglas Tompkins' will - SFChronicle.com. October 29, 2017. Sfchronicle.com.
19. Web site: A San Francisco socialite sues for a share of the Esprit fortune her conservationist father left to charity. Michael. Hiltzik. Los Angeles Times. October 27, 2017.
20. Web site: Daughter of North Face and Esprit co-founder Douglas Tompkins loses latest bid to claim inheritance - SFChronicle.com. October 7, 2018. Sfchronicle.com.
21. Web site: Estateofdenial.com. Estateofdenial.com.
22. Web site: Michael Crichton's daughter speaks up about sale of her father's art collection. Latimesblogs.latimes.com. March 17, 2010.
23. Web site: Rock Hudson Has a Daughter Nobody Knew About and Claims to Have the DNA Test to Prove It. Daniel. Goldblatt. Mike. Walters. Liz. Walters. January 9, 2018. The Blast.
24. News: For Gore Vidal, a Final Plot Twist. Tim. Teeman. The New York Times. November 8, 2013.
25. Web site: Gore Vidal's Final Feud. Washingtonian.com.
26. Web site: Alan Thicke's Widow Thanks Him for Being Her 'Angel' as Judge Throws Out Stepsons' Lawsuit. People.com.
27. Web site: Former Yahoo CEO has Alzheimer's; Son Files for Conservatorship. TheBlast.com. May 11, 2018., Web site: Terry Semel's Alzheimer's Battle: Inside the Family War over the Hollywood Titan's Care. Los Angeles Times. May 3, 2019.
28. Web site: The Paulson Estate Battle. Michael. Freedman. Forbes.
29. Web site: Adam F. Streisand. Sheppardmullin.com.
30. Web site: Archived copy . February 20, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111004143640/http://www.loeb.com/files/Uploads/Newton%20v.%20Diamond%20(Adam%20Streisand).pdf . October 4, 2011 . dead.
31. Web site: 349 F.2d 591 (9th Cir. 2003). Scholar.google.com.
32. Web site: Judge Dismisses $9M Lawsuit Against Bill Maher. March 25, 2015. Associated Press.
33. Web site: Bill Maher is sued by ex-girlfriend. November 12, 2004. Articles.latimes.com.
34. Web site: Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press.. SHAUNA. SNOW. August 1, 1997. Articles.latimes.com.
35. Web site: Steve Wynn Vs. Joe Francis: Anatomy of a $40 Million Smackdown. The Hollywood Reporter. September 12, 2012.
36. Web site: Lawyer: Britney Spears doesn't want her father in charge of her welfare. Stephanie Gaskell . Dan Cox . nydailynews.com.
37. Web site: A Guide To The #FreeBritney Movement. May 16, 2019.
38. Web site: A Guide to the #FreeBritney Theory That Britney Spears Is Being Held Against Her Will. Jezebel.com. April 23, 2019 . November 22, 2021.
39. News: Is Britney Spears Ready to Stand on Her Own?. The New York Times. May 4, 2016. Kovaleski. Serge F.. Coscarelli. Joe.
40. Web site: Lawyer Limelight: Adam Streisand. John. Ryan. October 25, 2015. Lawdragon.com.
41. http://subscribers.trustsandestates.com/estate_planning/michael-crichton-will-assets-son-0401/index1.html
42. The Daily Journal profiled Streisand on the cover of its "Extra" section under the title "The Sure Thing" and called his expertise "a lawyer's C.V. on steroids." Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, "The Sure Thing", June 13, 2005.
43. Trusts and Estates Magazine says "Adam Streisand is a trial lawyer renowned for his courtroom victories in celebrity estates."
44. Web site: Michael Crichton's Posthumous Child . October 2, 2018 . March 20, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120320162415/http://subscribers.trustsandestates.com/estate_planning/michael-crichton-will-assets-son-0401/wall.html?return=http%3A%2F%2Fsubscribers.trustsandestates.com%2Festate_planning%2Fmichael-crichton-will-assets-son-0401%2Findex1.html . bot: unknown.
45. [American Lawyer|The American Lawyer]
46. Lawdragon Magazine says "Adam Streisand is easily one of the best trust and estate litigators in the country."
47. Web site: Jackson's Mom Hires Adam Streisand. October 24, 2009. Tisonandwillis.wordpress.com.
48. Web site: HUTCHINGS v. DROMMERHAUSE - B209155 - 20090811008 - Leagle.com. Leagle.com.
49. In re James Patrick Trust involving $350 million claim to Alacer Corp., manufacturer of "Emergen-C".
50. Web site: Exec's Remarks Stir Farmer Bros. Battle. Jerry. Hirsch. November 24, 2003. Articles.latimes.com.
51. Web site: Named one of the "Top 100 Lawyers in California by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals. Sheppardmullin.com.
52. Web site: DailyJournal. Dailyjournal.com.
53. Web site: Lawdragon Magazine. January 2020. lawdragon.com.
54. http://www.lawdragon.com/images/uploads/pdf/issue11_updated.pdf and one of the "Top 500 Trial Lawyers in America"
55. Daily Journal, « A Slam Dunk for Ballmer’s Dealmaker ».
56. Web site: Cal. Civ. Code 3344–3346. February 20, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20101123205931/http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=03001-04000&file=3344-3346. November 23, 2010. dead.
57. Web site: February 1, 2014 . Adam F. Streisand - Best Lawyers Lawyer Profile . https://web.archive.org/web/20140201152627/https://www.bestlawyers.com/lawyers/adam-f-streisand/82615 . February 1, 2014 . August 11, 2022 .
58. Web site: Partner Adam Streisand Named Among Daily Journal's Top 100 . August 11, 2022 . www.sheppardmullin.com . en-US.
59. Web site: Partner Adam Streisand Named Among Daily Journal's Top 100 . August 11, 2022 . www.sheppardmullin.com . en-US.
60. https://www.sheppardmullin.com/assets/htmldocuments/005031622%20Sheppard.pdf
61. Web site: Adam F Streisand . August 11, 2022 . Chambers & Partners . en.
62. Web site: April 26, 2017 . The 2017 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America . August 11, 2022 . Lawdragon . en.
63. Web site: March 14, 2018 . The 2018 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America . August 11, 2022 . Lawdragon . en.
64. Web site: February 12, 2018 . Leaders in Law Honorees - Attorney Awards: Adam Streisand . August 11, 2022 . Los Angeles Business Journal . en-US.
65. Web site: Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers . August 11, 2022 . Los Angeles Business Journal . en-US.
66. Web site: Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers . August 30, 2022 . Los Angeles Business Journal . July 18, 2022 . en-US.
67. Web site: Garcia . Kelly . 2023-08-07 . Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 – Adam Streisand . 2024-01-17 . Los Angeles Business Journal . en-US.
68. Web site: Cullins . Ashley . May 26, 2021 . Power Lawyers 2021: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys . August 11, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
69. Web site: September 28, 2022 . Adam Streisand Named a 2022 "Top 100 Lawyer" by the Daily Journal . December 22, 2022 . Northern California Record.
70. Web site: Ricciardi . Silvia . 27 Apr 2022 . Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222200448/https://www.citywealthmag.com/news/top-100-international-private-client-litigation-lawyers-2022/ . December 22, 2022 . December 22, 2022 . CityWealth.
71. Web site: June 20, 2022 . LA500 2022: Adam Streisand . August 30, 2022 . Los Angeles Business Journal . en-US.
72. Web site: Hill . Zane . 2023-03-27 . Special Report: Who's Who In Law - Adam Streisand . 2024-01-17 . Los Angeles Business Journal . en-US.
73. Web site: Cullins . Ashley . November 28, 2022 . Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters . https://web.archive.org/web/20221222201658/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/power-lawyers-troubleshooters-2022/ . December 22, 2022 . December 22, 2022 . Hollywood Reporter.
74. Web site: Ashley . Cullins . 2023-09-22 . Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Who the Stars Call to Put Out Fires and Prevent Future Disasters . 2024-01-17 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
75. Web site: Sofia Streisand . August 2, 2022 . IMDb.
76. Web site: Olivia Streisand . August 2, 2022 . IMDb.
77. Web site: Brit's New Lawyer -- A Real Yentl! . August 2, 2022 . TMZ . en.
78. Web site: October 25, 2015 . Lawyer Limelight: Adam Streisand . August 2, 2022 . Lawdragon . en.
79. Web site: Adam Streisand . August 2, 2022 . IMDb . en.