Diddy’s Lawyers Quit $100M Case Over Six Months of Unpaid Fees

Sean Combs’ civil attorneys filed to withdraw from his $100 million defamation lawsuit on Monday, citing over six months of unpaid legal fees and a total breakdown in communication. Michael Tremonte of Sher Tremonte LLP says Combs has not paid a substantial balance of attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses, and has declined to meet with his legal team for four months. Combs disputes this through his spokesperson, claiming he fired the firm for overcharging and running up unapproved bills.

Why the lawyers are walking away

Sher Tremonte filed a motion in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York on September 16 seeking to withdraw as counsel. Michael Tremonte stated Combs “has not paid a substantial balance of attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses” and that his last payment was related to fees incurred in late 2025. The firm also alleged Combs has “declined to make himself available for timely, substantive, and direct communications about his cases for over four months,” making effective representation impossible.

What Combs says about the dispute

Through spokesperson Juda Engelmayer, Combs said he made the decision to switch lawyers. “I won’t let anyone take advantage of me by overcharging me and running up bills that were never approved,” Combs stated. He characterized the split as a business disagreement over unapproved charges rather than a refusal to pay. Tremonte rejected this claim in an email, saying his firm represented Combs “zealously and very efficiently” and that any suggestion of overbilling is “simply false.”

The defamation case at stake

Sher Tremonte was representing Combs in a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Nexstar Media Inc., lawyer Ariel Mitchell, and accuser Courtney Burgess. The case stems from 2024 allegations made on NewsNation’s “Banfield” show claiming Combs mixed drugs with baby oil. Combs vehemently denied the claim. The firm also represents Combs in several civil sexual assault lawsuits, and it remains unclear whether they will withdraw from those cases as well.

Combs’ current legal status

Combs is serving a 50-month federal prison sentence after his July 2025 conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is eligible for release as early as 2028. The Manhattan firm has represented Combs since 2024 in his civil matters, separate from his criminal defense.

Final Thoughts

Combs faces a critical gap in legal representation for his $100 million defamation case while imprisoned. The dispute over fees and communication highlights the strain of managing litigation from federal custody, leaving the outcome of his civil claims uncertain.

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