Julianna Margulies files countersuit against former management co.
By Pankaj Ladhar of Manos • Alwine P.L.
As any Miami fans of “The Good Wife” can probably guess, it seems Julianna Margulies didn’t learn to be a shrinking violet from her years playing Alicia Florrick, the CBS sitcom’s resilient main character.
Last week, Margulies met fire with fire by filing a countersuit against her former management company.
The company, D/F, had sued Margulies in July, claiming she owed the company at least $420,000 in unpaid commissions and shares of revenue drawn from deals she signed while represented by D/F, such as her endorsement contract with L’Oreal Cosmetics.
In her countersuit, Margulies said her management company demonstrated “a general lack of initiative, attention, focus and commitment.” She also claimed that D/F breached its contract with her by not performing the services she expected it to render. She is seeking to be compensated for the damages she incurred by remaining with the company during the time she feels it did not put forth its best efforts on her behalf.
Plenty of entertainers feel like there’s a mismatch of business savvy and legal know-how when it comes to dealing with agents and managers. It’s pretty easy to feel outmanned when you’ve spent your career honing your artistry and craft and your agent or manager has spent his or her career improving his or her negotiating skills. One way many entertainers combat this feeling is to find an attorney whom they are confident will be advocate strongly and zealously on their behalf.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, “Julianna Margulies Fires Back at Ex-Manager Lawsuit, Claims ‘Inappropriate’ Behavior,” Eriq Gardner, Oct. 19, 2012