Kesha has hired a new lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli at O’Melveny & Myers, in her legal battle against music producer Dr. Luke.
“She’s putting together her dream team,” an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap of the singer’s legal defense, which already boasts celebrity attorney Mark Geragos.
Kesha is suing music label Sony and producer Dr. Luke, claiming that he was sexually and emotionally abusive to her. The singer — full name Kesha Rose Sebert — contends that she should be allowed to record for another label. However, in February, New York Superior Court Justice Shirley Kornreich shot down her request for a preliminary injunction, in part because Sony could allow her to record with a producer other than Dr. Luke. He has denied all of the signer’s accusations.
Two weeks ago, Kesha filed an appeal in hopes of overturning the judge’s ruling, citing affivadits from “individuals with over 100 years of collective experience in the music industry, each of whom attested to the fact that a young pop star’s fame will fade quickly, and permanently, due to a loss of momentum.”
On Sunday, Kesha took to Instagram to claim that former mentor Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald would release her from her record deal if she denied allegations he sexually abused her and issued him a public apology — which she refuses to do.
“I would rather let the truth ruin my career than lie for a monster ever again,” she had written.
TheWrap previously reported that without proof of her alleged sexual abuse, contract law is not on her side. It’s unclear what Petrocelli might add to her plight aside from star power.
Kesha herself said what’s become increasingly clear is that she is forgoing a viable music career to become a symbol for victims – – whether she has proof or not.
Petrocelli is probably best known for representing the family of Ron Goldman in the 1997 wrongful death civil lawsuit against O.J. Simpson, which he won. He also represented Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, who was sentenced to 24 years in prison over fraud and insider trading charges in 2006.
Kesha’s case is heading to the New York State appeals court next.