GODFATHER OF SOUL BACK IN COURT

DEBRA OPRI ANNOUNCES DISMISSAL
OF FEDERAL SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWSUIT
AGAINST "THE GODFATHER OF SOUL" JAMES BROWN

Court Grants Opri's Motion to Dismiss Hollander v. James Brown Case

CHICAGO, IL _ (June 29th, 2005)   Celebrity Attorney Debra Opri , and Chicago co-counsel Jo Anne Bruzgal, announced today the dismissal of the only remaining sexual assault action against "The Godfather of Soul" James Brown. The suit was filed by Jacque Hollander on January 5th, 2005 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

The five count complaint dismissed by Federal District Judge Sidney I. Schenkier had included claims of sexual assault, false imprisonment, and infliction of emotional distress.

"This was just another case of a 'grifter' looking for the quick buck from a legendary celebrity," states Opri who is fresh off the Michael Jackson trial (Opri represented Michael Jackson's parents Joseph and Katherine during their son's yearlong criminal trial).  "Maybe this dismissal will be a warning to others who have a desire to tax our judicial system with celebrities incurring high legal fees to defend their name in court. I will continue to aggressively fight these frivolous complaints brought by these opportunists and grifters." commented Debra Opri after receiving notice of the dismissal.

Attorney Debra Opri has been the "go to" legal analyst on the Nation's news networks for analysis of celebrity court proceedings. The Beverly Hills California  based attorney gained national attention when she successfully represented "The Godfather of Soul" James Brown in a sexual harassment suit back in 2002.

GODFATHER OF SOUL
BACK IN COURT

Brown and Opri win the battle and move on to appeals to win the war

Los Angeles, CA -- Mar. 2002--After fighting and recieving dismissal of Sex Discrimination charges, legendary performer and Godfather of Soul, James Brown, begins appeals process of $40,000 wrongful termination verdict. Beverly Hills Attorney, Debra Opri, submitted a brief to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California contending that there was no evidence, substantial or otherwise to support a verdict for wrongful termination in violation of public policy and that the damages were excessive in light of the jury’s other findings. On March 8th, 2002, with the help of Debra Opri's talented strategies and legal wit, the jury found James Brown Enterprises, Inc. not guilty of Sex Discrimination and expressly found no harassment, retaliation, intentional nor negligent infliction of emotional distress against plaintiff Lisa Ross Agbalaya.

For more detailed information and media coverage of this case click on the links below:

5-12-02, BBC, "Brown appeals in dismissal case"

2-20-02, CBS News, "Damages Verdict In James Brown Case"

2-19-02, Annanova, "James Brown not guilty of harassment charge"

2-20-02, ABC International Gathering,"James Brown feelin' good as court clears him of sexual harassment"

1-29-02, BET, "James Brown Turns Up In L.A. Court For Sex Harassment Case"

2-20-02, E!Online, "James Brown Off the Hook"

2-20-02, Jefferson City News Tribune, "James Brown wins partial court victory"