"I think the best way to rate is to detail my experience. I hope this review helps.
I'm an independent producer who, due to differences of opinions, had been inexcusably ousted from a project. I went above and beyond (the EP's words, not mine) in all areas; was on set where and when I could be, offered industry insight, assisted them with another production (for which I was made promises and they never followed through), introduced them to connections (for which they wouldn't have had otherwise), distribution (to which they snubbed their noses at), obtained pertinent info on an historic criminal case, info they never could have obtained on their own. That old adage "no good deed goes unpunished" well, does that ever ring true in my case.
Bottom lining it, I was in for a percentage of the proceeds. The EP's decided they were not going to honor our initial verbal agreement. I knew that if I wanted to see a dime, I needed an attorney.
I had spoken with various entertainment lawyers in L.A. and Michael came to me highly recommended by a manager who knows the business of "show" inside and out. He knows who's good, who's bad.
Michael and his team were, in a word, exceptional. Knowledgeable, skilled, always responsive (it's rare for an attorney to always be responsive!), always took the time to make sure I understood the intricate details, and why the case had to take the turn it did. My case was simplistic yet complicated; both defendants were, well, beyond words. I'll stop there.
So during discovery it came out that proceeds were so much lower than I had anticipated. Because the project turned out as it did technically (my opinions didn't matter despite being hired because of my expertise), and due to the inexperienced jacks of all trades/masters of nothing, there was hardly any return to speak of.
Or so the EP's have said. Ask me if I really buy that, I'll tell you no. Problem is proving it. But in the off-chance what they have claimed they made is true, then they were an utter failure.
I digressed; Michael and Paul were patient. They cared about the outcome. They guided me through the first trial; there was mediation at first and the proposed settlement was beyond a slap in the face. I'd have rather lost every penny at the judges hands than to settle with those two ignoramus'. Michael left me a voicemail while I was in court, he cared about what was happening. When I called him back, I told him what transpired. Additionally there was some paperwork that needed immediate attention. Although that trial was over, and we were then awaiting a verdict, Michael cared enough to take care of what needed taking care of. And we won!
So I guess one time in court wasn't humiliating enough to these two inept wanna-bees; yep, you guessed it! They filed an appeal. I then had the Kernan firm by my side in court; they were allowed to accompany me this time. And, we won again!
The satisfaction of having stellar representation, who is not only knowledgeable but professional, and can kill in court, that's sublime. For all I went through with an inexperienced, inadequate, irrational and highly unprofessional first-time "producers"- and I've worked with many over my 22 years in the industry- these two were the worst... and just to know that I had a competent, trustworthy, reliable and responsive team in the Kernan Law Firm- there are not enough great adjectives in our vocabulary to describe Michael, Paul and the whole team. If this thing went up to thousands of stars, the Kernan Law Firm would have that rating from me. I would use Mike and his team again in a heart beat.... and only Mike and his team. They're the best, (literally) bar none."
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