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Loeb & Loeb Secures Major Victory in Sumner Redstone Competency Trial

Loeb & Loeb LLP achieved a resounding trial victory today when a Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed, with prejudice, a high profile lawsuit challenging the mental competency of Sumner Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp., cutting short a six-month long legal battle after just one day in court.
 
In In re: Advance Health Care Directive of Sumner M. Redstone, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Judge David Cowan dismissed the lawsuit filed by Manuela Herzer, Redstone’s former companion, in which she alleged he was not mentally competent when he ended his relationship with her last fall and removed her as his designated agent on his advance health care directive.
 

Loeb & Loeb partner Gabrielle A. Vidal, Co-Chair of the firm’s Trust and Estate Litigation Practice, along with partner Amy L. Koch, led the Loeb & Loeb litigation team acting on behalf of Mr. Redstone, working in coordination with trial co-counsel from Hueston Hennigan LLP.

“Mr. Redstone is grateful that the Court dismissed this case and honored his stated wish to keep Manuel Herzer out of his life and healthcare decisions,” said Ms. Vidal. “Mr. Redstone looks forward to spending time with his loved ones in peace.”

Loeb & Loeb’s team acting on behalf of Mr. Redstone in this matter also included attorneys Laura A. Wytsma and Alexandra A. Letzel with support from Virginia Briseno

Click here to view a copy of the Court's decision.