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Mike McKoolA thriller of a verdict was announced on July 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California wherein a jury found that music producer Quincy Jones was entitled to $9.4 million in royalties from the estate of musician Michael Jackson. A McKool Smith team led by co-founder and chairman Mike McKool represented Jones, focusing on allegations that MJJ Productions Inc., which is controlled by Jackson’s estate, failed to honor a contract and pay Jones royalties for the soundtrack to “This Is It,” a documentary about Jackson released shortly after his death. MJJ was also found to be in breach of contract for Jackson’s Cirque du Soleil productions, which both feature several songs produced by Jones. Jones produced many of Michael Jackson’s most popular albums, including “Thriller” and “Bad.”

The case was Quincy Jones et al. v. MJJ Productions Inc. et al., case number BC525803, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. After a two-week trial before Judge Michael L. Stern, the jury deliberated for two days before finding in the favor of the plaintiff.

“The jury worked tirelessly to listen to all of the evidence and weigh the facts of the case,” said McKool in a statement. “As we have maintained throughout trial, based on contractual obligations and a long standing agreement with Mr. Jackson himself, Quincy Jones is clearly entitled to his fair share of royalties based on his significant contributions to many of Michael Jackson’s most iconic pieces of work. We are very pleased with the jury’s decision.”

The McKool Smith trial team also included J. Michael Hennigan, Robert E. Allen, Scott L. Cole, Frank Vecella, and Caroline M. Walters, and Elizabeth Lachman along with Henry Gradstein and Maryann R. Marzano of Gradstein & Marzano PC. Visit McKool Smith for more information.