Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Talent Manager’s Fraud Claim, Over Buyout of His Share of Company Formed With Client, Is Struck Down

By Stan Soocher
March 01, 2025

It isn’t unusual for talent managers and artists they manage to cofound and operate businesses together. For example, a recording artist and manager may join together to establish their own record label. If an artist/manager partnership or joint-venture projects are to be part of the relationship, a manager will want the artist to sign a conflicts-of-interest waiver. This is because a manager owes an artist a fiduciary obligation based on the artist entrusting the manager to in good faith primarily further the artist’s career.

Sometimes, though, the talent manager may claim the artist has violated the manager’s rights via the joint-business entity, as recently happened when talent manager Michael Gruen sued Josh Richards, a management client, actor, producer and social-media influencer over their Los Angeles-based CrossCheck Studios.

Business Insider had included Gruen in its list of the 19 top agents or managers representing TikTok influencers and in its list of the 24 most powerful people utilizing TikTok to change the music industry. In February 2021, Gruen and Richards cofounded CrossCheck, which Gruen says “boast[s] strategic partnerships” with Mark Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas production company, influencers platform Influential, and Amazon and STX studios.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Overview of Regulatory Guidance Governing the Use of AI Systems In the Workplace Image

Businesses have long embraced the use of computer technology in the workplace as a means of improving efficiency and productivity of their operations. In recent years, businesses have incorporated artificial intelligence and other automated and algorithmic technologies into their computer systems. This article provides an overview of the federal regulatory guidance and the state and local rules in place so far and suggests ways in which employers may wish to address these developments with policies and practices to reduce legal risk.

Is Google Search Dead? How AI Is Reshaping Search and SEO Image

This two-part article dives into the massive shifts AI is bringing to Google Search and SEO and why traditional searches are no longer part of the solution for marketers. It’s not theoretical, it’s happening, and firms that adapt will come out ahead.

While Federal Legislation Flounders, State Privacy Laws for Children and Teens Gain Momentum Image

For decades, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act has been the only law to expressly address privacy for minors’ information other than student data. In the absence of more robust federal requirements, states are stepping in to regulate not only the processing of all minors’ data, but also online platforms used by teens and children.

Revolutionizing Workplace Design: A Perspective from Gray Reed Image

In an era where the workplace is constantly evolving, law firms face unique challenges and opportunities in facilities management, real estate, and design. Across the industry, firms are reevaluating their office spaces to adapt to hybrid work models, prioritize collaboration, and enhance employee experience. Trends such as flexible seating, technology-driven planning, and the creation of multifunctional spaces are shaping the future of law firm offices.

From DeepSeek to Distillation: Protecting IP In An AI World Image

Protection against unauthorized model distillation is an emerging issue within the longstanding theme of safeguarding intellectual property. This article examines the legal protections available under the current legal framework and explore why patents may serve as a crucial safeguard against unauthorized distillation.