United States Supreme Court to Hear Appeal in Arnold Preston vs. Alex Ferrer – Joseph D. Schleimer, Schleimer & Freundlich LLP, Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills, CA, September 27, 2007 --(PR.com)-- The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of Arnold Preston in his ongoing litigation with Judge Alex Ferrer of the nationally-syndicated television program “Judge Alex.” Arnold M. Preston v. Alex E. Ferrer, U.S. Supreme Court Case No. 06-1463.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/06-1463.htm

Alex Ferrer is a former Florida District Court Judge, who now makes his living on television, arbitrating petty legal disputes.

Arnold Preston is a Florida attorney, who once practiced before Judge Ferrer in Miami. In 1999, Mr. Preston left Florida and took a job with the William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, California. Recalling Judge Alex Ferrer’s charisma on the bench, Arnold Preston introduced the Florida jurist to the top agents at William Morris. When Arnold Preston left William Morris to become a talent manager and television producer in 2002, he became Judge Alex Ferrer’s manager.

The legal dispute involves a commission claim on Judge Alex Ferrer’s earnings from the nationally syndicated television program “Judge Alex.” In 2005, Arnold Preston filed an arbitration in Los Angeles, seeking commissions due under a written personal manager agreement. Judge Alex Ferrer responded by filing a Petition with the California Labor Commissioner, alleging violations of the California Talent Agencies Act (TAA) and asking that the contract be voided. Judge Alex Ferrer then obtained an injunction in the Los Angeles Superior Court, staying the arbitration until the Labor Commissioner decides the issue.

In 2006, in a 2-1 decision, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the injunction. Ferrer v. Preston (2006) 145 Cal.App.4th 440. When the California Supreme Court declined to review the decision of the Court of Appeal, Arnold Preston filed his Petition for Certiorari, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the issue of Federal preemption under the Federal Arbitration Act. His Petition was granted on September 25, 2007. Oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court has been set for January, 2008.

The Petition for Certiorari was filed by Joseph D. Schleimer, of Schleimer & Freundlich, LLP. Joseph D. Schleimer, a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar since 1995, is counsel of record for Arnold Preston in the Supreme Court proceedings. Kenneth D. Freundlich is co-counsel.

For further information, contact Joseph D. Schleimer at (310) 273-9807. www.Schleimerlaw.com

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