Sasha Frid

Sasha Frid, a founding partner of Miller Barondess, LLP, has established himself as a distinguished litigator and trial lawyer, adept in handling high-stakes matters for a diverse clientele, including corporate, entertainment and public entities. His career is marked by significant victories in complex cases, often under the spotlight of intense media scrutiny.

One of Frid’s notable cases was representing Motown legend William “Smokey” Robinson in a federal jury defense verdict against his former manager, Eric Podwall. Podwall sued Robinson for breach of contract, claiming entitlement to more than $2 million in commissions from touring and concerts. Eric Podwall v. William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr., 2:16-cv-06088-ODW-AGR (C.D. Cal., filed Aug. 15, 2016).

“During his storied career, Smokey wrote many iconic songs and performed before millions of fans, but he never testified before a jury,” Frid said. “In his testimony, he talked about his iconic career and how his music helped break down racial barriers.”

Frid continued: “The case involved a written management agreement under which the former manager sought a 10% commission on Smokey’s touring and concert performances. We were able to persuade the jury that, despite the management agreement, the former manager did not do his job and was not entitled to a penny more in fees. It was a great result.”

This victory highlighted Frid’s ability to handle high-profile legal disputes effectively.

Another significant case in his career involved representing the Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills in a major trade secret theft case against the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Beverly Hills. The lawsuit alleged that the Waldorf’s managing director solicited a Peninsula employee to obtain trade secrets, including customer lists and guest preferences. This complex litigation, valued at more than $50 million, was settled favorably for Frid’s client before trial.

Frid also shared his perspective on the impact of technology on the legal profession in response to a question regarding ongoing trends.

“As a result of the pandemic, there has been a lot of reliance on technology to get legal work done — Zoom depositions, virtual court appearances, and work from home,” he said. “I think this negatively affects our profession because in-person meetings and collaboration bring forth new and better ideas and strategies. You can’t do this job effectively while sitting at home on your computer.”