Sean Combs’ Lawyers Quit $100M Case Over Six Months of Unpaid Fees

Sean Combs’ civil attorneys filed to quit his $100 million defamation lawsuit on September 16, citing six months of unpaid legal fees and a breakdown in communication. Michael Tremonte at Sher Tremonte LLP said Combs has not paid a substantial balance owed and refused to meet with lawyers for four months. Combs claims the split was his decision and disputes the charges as unapproved overages.

Why the lawyers are walking away

Sher Tremonte LLP filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Combs in his defamation case against Nexstar Media, attorney Ariel Mitchell, and accuser Courtney Burgess. Michael Tremonte stated Combs is in “substantial arrears” and has not paid fees for over six months, with his last payment related to expenses from late 2025.

Tremonte also alleged Combs declined to meet with attorneys for the last four months, making representation “unreasonably difficult.” The filing stated there has been “a total breakdown in cooperation and communication” between Combs and the firm.

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 framed the matter as a business dispute over unapproved charges rather than unpaid fees.

Tremonte pushed back directly, saying his firm “represented Mr. Combs zealously and very efficiently under challenging circumstances” and that “any suggestion that we overcharged him is simply false.”

The $100 million defamation case explained

Combs sued Nexstar Media, Mitchell, and Burgess over 2024 allegations made on NewsNation’s “Banfield” show claiming Combs mixed drugs with baby oil. Combs denied the claim and sought $100 million in damages. Burgess falsely claimed to possess videos of Combs involved in sexual assault of minors, according to the lawsuit.

A separate court filing indicated the parties are potentially open to resolving the case through mediation or a settlement conference with a federal magistrate.

Combs’ legal situation and sentence

Combs is currently serving a 50-month federal prison sentence after his July 2025 conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Sher Tremonte also represents Combs in several civil sexual assault lawsuits, and it remains unclear whether the firm will withdraw from those cases as well.

Combs’ longtime civil litigator Jonathan Davis has been representing Combs and his companies in other matters, according to court records.

Final Thoughts

Combs faces a widening legal crisis as his civil attorneys abandon a major case over unpaid fees while he serves his 50-month sentence. The dispute highlights the strain of managing complex litigation from prison when funds are unavailable or disputed.

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