The relationship between Sean "Diddy" Combs and his former attorneys may be over, but he still has a substantial bill to settle. Sher Tremonte LLP, which previously represented the Bad Boy founder in his $100 million defamation lawsuit, claims he owes a hefty fee for its work on that case alone. The firm now wants a federal judge to establish the amount owed and give it a claim on any money Combs might eventually recover from the lawsuit.
In an October 30 filing reviewed by AllHipHop, attorney Michael Tremonte outlined the firm's request to U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan. "Exhibit A reflects that Mr. Combs owes Sher Tremonte $581,893.75 in connection with the work performed in this matter," he wrote in a sworn declaration. The firm is seeking a charging lien that would allow it to pursue payment from a potential settlement or judgment in Combs' favor. Its supporting billing spreadsheet was submitted under seal, meaning the detailed accounting isn't publicly available.
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Diddy Previously Accused His Lawyers Of Overcharging Him
The disagreement became public in September when Sher Tremonte asked to withdraw from Combs' defamation lawsuit, citing months of unpaid invoices and a breakdown in communication. The firm claimed he hadn't paid for legal services in more than six months and had become difficult to reach while incarcerated. Combs disputed that account through spokesperson Juda Engelmayer, arguing that the attorneys had charged him for work he never authorized.
"I made the decision to switch lawyers because I won't let anyone take advantage of me by overcharging me," Combs said in a statement provided to Rolling Stone. Tremonte rejected the accusation, maintaining that the firm had represented Combs efficiently and was withdrawing because of unpaid bills and deteriorating communication.
The lawsuit at the center of the financial dispute was filed against Courtney Burgess, attorney Ariel Mitchell, and Nexstar Media, the parent company of NewsNation. Combs accused the defendants of spreading false allegations about him, including claims involving purported sexual recordings. In September, Judge Cronan allowed portions of the defamation lawsuit to proceed, dismissing some claims against Nexstar while rejecting Mitchell's attempt to dismiss the case entirely.
Judge Cronan approved the firm's withdrawal on Oct. 21 and granted a retaining lien concerning its case files. The latest filing asks him to set the monetary value of that lien and approve an additional claim against any potential recovery. As of the firm's Oct. 19 update, Combs hadn't identified replacement counsel, and discovery had been paused. The judge has yet to determine whether the former attorneys are entitled to the full amount they're demanding.
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