Howard Weitzman, who represented many celebrities including Michael Jackson and also part of the lawyers at the Michael Jackson Estate, passed away Wednesday in his hometown of Los Angeles from cancer.
After Michael’s death in 2009, Weitzman worked with John Branca and recording executive John McClain to turn Jackson’s estate from deep in the red. Within a few years the estate was flourishing, in no small part thanks to $750 million sale of the performer’s lucrative 50% stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing to Sony Corp that Weitzman helped orchestrate.
As recently as late last year, Weitzman continued to represent and defend Michael in prepping the Jackson estate in its $100 million battle against HBO over its Leaving Neverland documentary. Pulling out a decades-old contract between Jackson and the premium cabler over a concert film, Weitzman was successful in convincing the courts to take the matter to arbitration, even over an appeal from HBO.
A two-time recipient of the Jerry Geisler Memorial Award as the outstanding trial lawyer in Los Angeles County, Weitzman is leaving behind his wife Margaret and his two sons. All our condolences to his friends and family.
John Branca, who had worked closely with Weitzman at various times on the Jackson estate declined to comment.
UPDATE 11/04/2021: The Estate of Michael Jackson posted on Social Media regarding the passing of Howard:
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter
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