Agent sues ‘Law & Order’s’ Courtney Vance

Claims actor fired agent, manager to deprive them of commissions

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Hollywood Reporter

updated 7:32 p.m. ET Aug. 4, 2006

LOS ANGELES - Actor Courtney Vance is being sued by his former talent agency and manager for unpaid commissions for his work, which includes his role on NBC’s “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that in August 2004, Vance terminated his contracts with the Endeavor agency and Dolores Robinson Entertainment after he purportedly was not signed for another year on the NBC drama.

But after he fired his agents and managers, Vance and Studios USA Television, which produces “Law and Order,” agreed to extend his original agreement without any changes other than a boost in pay.

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The plaintiffs claim Vance fired them to deprive them of the benefits they were entitled to under their contracts. The lawsuit indicates each of the plaintiffs’ commissions should have been at least $126,680.

Endeavor and Dolores Robinson Entertainment want the court to order Vance to pay them each their 10 percent commission in connection with his earnings for the 2005-06 season of “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” as well as for future seasons of the show. Vance left the show last season.

They also seek unspecified compensatory damages for breach of contract, and Endeavor asks the court to order a constructive trust for all payments received by Vance.

The case is Dolores Robinson Entertainment v. Vance, BC356276. The plaintiffs are represented by William Briggs II and Rori Starr Silver of Lavely & Singer.