Adam Streisand

Career

Early career

Streisand graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, with a BA in history. During college, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris for one academic year. After college, he served as legislative aide to U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md). Streisand graduated cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law as a member of its honor society and as an editor of its law review.

Streisand began his legal career in entertainment litigation. On behalf of his clients, Beastie Boys and Capitol Records, Streisand won the first digital sampling case in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, Newton v. Diamond, et al. Streisand won a palimony case for comedian Bill Maher brought by former girlfriend, Coco Johnson. Streisand achieved a significant settlement against Faye Dunaway, Terrence McNally and others over the film rights to the stage play Master Class for producer Lester Persky. Streisand successfully defended Diana Ross in a copyright infringement action by photographer Art Shay. He successfully litigated a copyright infringement action for BMG Music Publishing against Melissa Etheridge. Streisand represented Quincy Jones, the key witness in the defamation trial by Steve Wynn against "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis, in which the jury returned a $40 million verdict. Streisand obtained an injunction for Jacques Cousteau against the use of the Cousteau name in connection with a Fiji resort against Jean-Michel Cousteau and others. Britney Spears retained Streisand in connection with the petition to establish a conservatorship over the singer. Streisand successfully represented Kobe Bryant in a defamation action.

Estate litigation

Streisand transitioned from entertainment litigation to trust and estate litigation, becoming well known for success in both celebrity and traditional estate cases. Streisand has been widely acknowledged as a leading American trial attorney, particularly in the field of trust and estate litigation.

Streisand is cited as being the architect of the strategy to rely on an arcane provision of the California probate code, section 1310b, resulting in a trial victory for Steve Ballmer and his $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers. Streisand was also involved in the drafting of legislation, including amendments to the California Celebrities Rights Act, to ensure the protection of a deceased celebrity's name and likeness and its descendibility to the celebrity's heirs. The estate of Marilyn Monroe retained Streisand to draft the amendments to the California Celebrities Rights Act.

In 2018, Adam Streisand represented Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss who was under pressure from an attempted coup by her brothers, Jimmy and Johnny Buss.  Streisand’s pre-emptive strike not only led to cementing permanently Jeanie’s control of the Lakers, but the instant removal of her brothers from their positions as co-trustees of the trust established by their father, Jerry Buss, which owns the team.

The children of Leonard Cohen hired Streisand to represent them against Cohen's former manager, Robert Kory, whose attorney forged documents naming Kory the trustee of Cohen's estate. Streisand successfully returned control of the estate and monies Kory earned while acting in the capacity of trustee back to Cohen's children and heirs.

Streisand represented Dea Spanos Berberian in a significant legal case against her brother, Dean Spanos, regarding control of the Los Angeles Chargers. The lawsuit addressed fiduciary disputes within the Spanos family, ultimately leading to the proposed sale of a 27% stake in the team to Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores.

In 2024, Streisand represented Rupert Murdoch at trial before a court in Reno, Nevada, against James Murdoch, Elisabeth Murdoch and Prudence MacLeod, three of Murdoch’s children, seeking to ratify changes to an irrevocable trust that would have the effect of eliminating the voting control they would have over his media empire after Rupert Murdoch’s death, and vest that control in the hands of his son and chosen successor, Lachlan Murdoch.

Recognition

• In 2015 and 2017, Mr. Streisand was recognized as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers, in the field of Litigation, trusts and estates.
• In 2015, 2017 and 2018, the Daily Journal named Streisand as one of the top trial attorneys in the nation.
• In 2016, Streisand was recognized by The National Law Journal as a Divorce, Trusts & Estates Trailblazer.
• The Chambers HNW guide published by Chambers & Partners, individually ranked Streisand in the Private Wealth Law category for Southern California and he was also ranked nationally in the Private Wealth Disputes category. In 2019, Chambers & Partners named Streisand as the U.S. Trusts and Estates Litigator of the Year.
• In 2017 and 2018, Lawdragon named Streisand as one of the top "Leading Lawyers in America."
• The Los Angeles Business Journal named Adam Streisand as Litigation Attorney of the year in 2018 for his rare and wide expertise in disputes involving entertainment and intellectual property issues.
• In 2020, 2022, and 2023, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Adam Streisand as one of the *“*Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers” which highlights “the very best litigators in the business.”
• In 2020, Citywealth, a UK financial magazine, named Streisand one of the top 50 private wealth attorneys in North America, one of the top 100 private client lawyers and one of the 100 litigation attorneys worldwide.
• In 2021, he was selected by the Hollywood Reporter for their 15th annual Power Lawyers list which highlights the top entertainment lawyers in the industry.
• Streisand was named by the Daily Journal as a top 100 Lawyer in California for 2022.
• In 2022, Streisand was named one of the "Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022" by Citywealth.
• The LA Business Journal has also named Adam Streisand as one of the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles for 5 years in a row and Who's Who in Law in 2023.
• The Hollywood Reporter listed Streisand as a power lawyer in trusts and estates in their 2022 and 2023 "Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters".

Personal life

Adam Streisand is married to writer, director and producer Sofia Streisand, and they have one son, Pierre Streisand. He also has two daughters, Lena Streisand, an attorney, and Olivia Streisand, a documentary filmmaker, from a previous marriage to journalist Betsy Streisand. Adam is a cousin of famous singer and actress, Barbra Streisand. He is an avid cyclist and adventurist. He has camped near the North Pole, trekked 19,000 feet in the Himalayas, and crossed the Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean on his bicycle.

Filmography

Streisand has appeared as himself in Framing Britney Spears, The New York Times Presents, in the Netflix documentary, Britney vs Spears, and in guest appearances on Cuomo Prime Time, CNN Newsroom with Pamela Brown, America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, and Your World with Neil Cavuto. Streisand is featured in the December 2022 Discovery+ docuseries Jamie Vs Britney: The Father Daughter Trials.

Bibliography

• "Till Death Do We Divorce", Trusts and Estates Quarterly, Vol. 25, Issue 4, 2019
• "Cryptocurrencies and Trustees' Duty to Invest Prudently: Navigating Fiduciary Duties in the Age of Decentralization", Trusts and Estates Quarterly, Vol. 24, Issue 3, 2018
• Que Je T'Aime: L'affaire d'Heritage de Johnny Hallyday, National Law Review, August 2018
• “What Should Attorneys Have In Their Engagement Agreements”, ACTEC Podcast, February 2018
• California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, “Tortious Interference With Inheritance: Is It A Brave New World, Part II?”, Vol. 18, Issue 3, 2012
• California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, “Tortious Interference With Inheritance: Is It A Brave New World?”, Vol. 18, Issue 2, 2012
• ABA Trust & Investments: "Mental Disorders that Erode Capacity" by Adam F. Streisand, Esq. and James Edward Spar, M.D.
• ACTEC Journal: "A Lawyer's Guide to Diminishing Capacity and Effective Use of Medical Experts in Contemporaneous and Retrospective Evaluations" by Adam F. Streisand, Esq. and James Edward Spar, M.D.
• Planning & Community Property Law Journal*, Vol.3, Book 2, Spring 2011: Malpractice Melee: Fending Off The Disgruntled And Disappointed, An Estate Planner's Field Guide, by Adam F. Streisand, Esq.
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly: "Rumors of Their Death are Greatly Exaggerated: the Pre-Death Will Contest and Other Strategies in Conservatorship Litigation", Vol.12, Issue 1, Spring 2006.
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly: "Gone But Not Forgotten: Celebrity Estates and Intellectual Property Rights", Vol.11, Issue 1, Spring 2005.
• Hollywood Reporter: "Nine Things Entertainment Lawyers Should Know About Probate" (Nov. 6, 2007)
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly, "No-Contest Clauses Need To Be Reformed, Not Abolished", Vol.10, Issue 3, Fall 2004
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly, "Tapping The Trust To Fund The Battle: When Trustees Can Use Trust Funds To Litigate With Beneficiaries", Vol.9, Issue 1, Spring 2003.
• California Trusts & Estates Quarterly: "The Jury Is Back: Where There's A Will, Finding New Ways", Vol.8, Issue 1, Spring 2002.
• Cornell International Law Journal: "Conflicts of International Inheritance Laws in the Age of Multinational Lives", Vol.54, Issue 4, Fall 2020.
• L'OBS: "Le Jour De L’audience Pour Britney, on Ignorait Que La Cour L’avait Déjà Mise Sous Tutelle" by Adam F. Streisand
• Estate Planning Course Materials Journal, "Claims Against Irrevocable Trusts in Divorce Proceedings: Select Topics from a Litigator's Perspective", January 2022.
• Trusts & Estates Quarterly, "If I Get Married, I Want to Be Very Married. The Godfather of Soul, Richard Pryor and Other Post-Death Challenges Tell Us: How Married You Are Depends on the State", Vol.28, Issue 2, Spring 2022.

References

References

1. "Adam Fredric Streisand Profile | Los Angeles, CA Lawyer".
2. Hubbell, Martindale. (March 2002). "Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (2002)". [[Martindale-Hubbell]].
3. (February 12, 2018). "Leaders in Law Honorees - Attorney Awards: Adam Streisand".
4. Witz, Billy. (July 28, 2014). "Donald Sterling Loses Bid to Block Sale of Clippers". [[The New York Times]].
5. (April 11, 2017). "Family or franchise? Jeanie Buss' choice was easy".
6. Loignon, Stéphane. (July 17, 2018). "La guerre en héritage : La mauvaise passe des Lakers". [[Le Parisien]].
7. (June 10, 2022). "Spanos sued by sister as Chargers feud escalates".
8. (June 28, 2022). "Veterans of legal battles over Michael Jackson estate and against O.J. Simpson jump into Angelos fray".
9. (August 22, 2018). "Top Litigators in Los Angeles: Adam F. Streisand".
10. (September 22, 2010). "Top 100 Lawyers in California". Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal.
11. "Jackson family lawyer: 'New evidence' in battle for estate".
12. (May 15, 2019). "Tom Petty's Widow Files New Appeals Against Daughters in Escalating Battle Over Late Rocker's Trust".
13. (December 22, 2017). "Hugh Hefner's Estate is Selling Off All His Playboy Ownership (UPDATE)".
14. (October 11, 2007). "Law Decides Who Owns a Dead Star's Image".
15. (October 29, 2017). "Daughter seeks millions from Esprit co-founder Douglas Tompkins' will - SFChronicle.com".
16. Hiltzik, Michael. (October 27, 2017). "A San Francisco socialite sues for a share of the Esprit fortune her conservationist father left to charity".
17. (October 7, 2018). "Daughter of North Face and Esprit co-founder Douglas Tompkins loses latest bid to claim inheritance - SFChronicle.com".
18. "Estateofdenial.com".
19. (March 17, 2010). "Michael Crichton's daughter speaks up about sale of her father's art collection".
20. (January 9, 2018). "Rock Hudson Has a Daughter Nobody Knew About and Claims to Have the DNA Test to Prove It".
21. Teeman, Tim. (November 8, 2013). "For Gore Vidal, a Final Plot Twist". [[The New York Times]].
22. "Gore Vidal's Final Feud".
23. "Alan Thicke's Widow Thanks Him for Being Her 'Angel' as Judge Throws Out Stepsons' Lawsuit".
24. (May 11, 2018}}, {{cite web). "Former Yahoo CEO has Alzheimer's; Son Files for Conservatorship".
25. Freedman, Michael. "The Paulson Estate Battle".
26. (May 5, 2025). "Adam F. Streisand".
27. "Newton v. Diamond".
28. "349 F.2d 591 (9th Cir. 2003)".
29. (March 25, 2015). "Judge Dismisses $9M Lawsuit Against Bill Maher".
30. (November 12, 2004). "Bill Maher is sued by ex-girlfriend".
31. SNOW, SHAUNA. (August 1, 1997). "Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press.".
32. (September 12, 2012). "Steve Wynn Vs. Joe Francis: Anatomy of a $40 Million Smackdown".
33. (February 4, 2008). "Lawyer: Britney Spears doesn't want her father in charge of her welfare".
34. (May 16, 2019). "A Guide To The #FreeBritney Movement".
35. (April 23, 2019). "A Guide to the #FreeBritney Theory That Britney Spears Is Being Held Against Her Will".
36. (May 4, 2016). "Is Britney Spears Ready to Stand on Her Own?". The New York Times.
37. ''Trusts and Estates Magazine'' says "Adam Streisand is a trial lawyer renowned for his courtroom victories in celebrity estates."]
38. "Michael Crichton's Posthumous Child".
39. [[American Lawyer. The American Lawyer]] says: "Mr. Streisand is a veteran of battles over celebrity estates such as Marlon Brando and Ray Charles". ''The American Lawyer'', "Notable and Notorious Lawyers", Vol.31, No.12, Dec. 2009.
40. ''Lawdragon Magazine'' says "Adam Streisand is easily one of the best trust and estate litigators in the country."
41. (October 24, 2009). "Jackson's Mom Hires Adam Streisand".
42. "HUTCHINGS v. DROMMERHAUSE - B209155 - 20090811008 - Leagle.com".
43. ''In re James Patrick Trust'' involving $350 million claim to Alacer Corp., manufacturer of "Emergen-C".
44. Hirsch, Jerry. (November 24, 2003). "Exec's Remarks Stir Farmer Bros. Battle".
45. (January 2020). "Lawdragon Magazine".
46. (July 13, 2011 }} Streisand was named one of the "Top 100 Lawyers" in Southern California by [http://www.labusinessjournal.com/ The Los Angeles Business Journal], [[Los Angeles Business Journal]], Vol.31, No.40, Oct. 5–11, 2009, one of the "Top 100 Lawyers" in the field of Trusts and Estates in the United States by [[Worth (magazine)]] ''Worth Magazine'', "The Top 100 Attorneys", Dec/Jan 2009, and one of the "Top 50 Lawyers in North America" in the field of wealth management by [http://www.citywealthmag.com/ Citywealth Magazine]. Named a "Top Litigator" by ''Los Angeles Business Journal'', August 13, 2018. He is also named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by [http://www.bestlawyers.com/ Best Lawyers]. Streisand is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. {{cite web). "American College of Trust and Estate Counsel | Find an ACTEC Fellow".
47. Daily Journal, « A Slam Dunk for Ballmer’s Dealmaker ».
48. "Cal. Civ. Code 3344–3346".
49. Fenno, Nathan. (2018-07-04). "It was 16 months ago when Jeanie Buss made a daring move to seize control of the Lakers".
50. (2017-03-04). "Column: In stopping her brothers' attempted takeover, Jeanie Buss shows she's in charge of Lakers — for now".
51. Aswad, Jem. (2023-03-02). "Leonard Cohen's Heirs Accuse Former Manager and Attorney of Forgery (EXCLUSIVE)".
52. Nguyen, Thuc Nhi. (2024-09-27). "Pistons owner to buy 27% stake of Chargers, ending Spanos family dispute".
53. Aratani, Lauren. (2024-09-09). "Succession battle for Murdoch empire to play out in secret in Nevada court". The Guardian.
54. (February 1, 2014). "Adam F. Streisand - Best Lawyers Lawyer Profile".
55. (September 9, 2015). "Partner Adam Streisand Named Among Daily Journal's Top 100".
56. (September 19, 2018). "Partner Adam Streisand Named Among Daily Journal's Top 100".
57. "Adam Streisand - Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP".
58. "Adam F Streisand".
59. (April 26, 2017). "The 2017 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America".
60. (March 14, 2018). "The 2018 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America".
61. (February 12, 2018). "Leaders in Law Honorees - Attorney Awards: Adam Streisand".
62. "Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers".
63. (July 18, 2022). "Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers".
64. Garcia, Kelly. (2023-08-07). "Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys 2023 – Adam Streisand".
65. Cullins, Ashley. (May 26, 2021). "Power Lawyers 2021: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys".
66. (September 28, 2022). "Adam Streisand Named a 2022 "Top 100 Lawyer" by the Daily Journal".
67. Ricciardi, Silvia. (27 Apr 2022). "Top 100 International Private Client Litigation Lawyers 2022".
68. (June 20, 2022). "LA500 2022: Adam Streisand".
69. Hill, Zane. (2023-03-27). "Special Report: Who's Who In Law - Adam Streisand".
70. Cullins, Ashley. (November 28, 2022). "Hollywood's Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters".
71. Cullins, Ashley. (2023-09-22). "Hollywood's Troubleshooters: Who the Stars Call to Put Out Fires and Prevent Future Disasters".
72. "Sofia Streisand".
73. "Olivia Streisand".
74. (February 5, 2008). "Brit's New Lawyer -- A Real Yentl!".
75. (October 25, 2015). "Lawyer Limelight: Adam Streisand".
76. "Adam Streisand".