Britney Spears Gets a New Attorney – Again

The following italicized article is taken from www.people.com:

Once again, Britney Spears has a new lawyer: High-profile attorney Stacy D. Phillips became the latest to sign on for the custody case.

Phillips, who was approved by a court commissioner Tuesday, replaced Sorrell Trope, who quit after complaining of problems communicating with the troubled pop star.

A Columbia University law grad, Phillips represented Bobby Brown in his divorce from Whitney Houston, and Tori Spellling's ex, Charlie Shahnaian. She's also a frequent legal analyst in magazines and on television.

She also authored Divorce: It's All About Control, once explaining that, "I've yet to handle a divorce where control was not an issue or at issue."

Phillips becomes Spears's fourth lawyer in her ongoing battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Her first attorney, Laura Wasser, resigned from her case last September shortly after Spears's divorce from Federline was finalized.

Spears then hired the firm Freid & Goldsman, but their relationship ended within days, before retaining Trope, who sought to leave the case, come back, then filed papers again to depart, this time for good.

Source: People

Britney Spears's Lawyers Won't Quit Case

The following italicized article is taken from www.people.com:

Britney Spears's legal team, headed by Sorrell Trope, will continue litigating her custody battle – despite having filed a request to be excused from the case on Jan. 2.

Asked if they were indeed staying on, one of her attorneys, Anne Kiley, replied, "Yes, we are," but gave no further details.

The law firm of Trope & Trope previously stated in a request: "There has been a breakdown in communications between [Spears] and Trope & Trope making further representation of her interests impossible." A hearing on the matter was set for Feb. 4.

However, court spokeswoman Meredith Pierce confirmed Wednesday that the firm's request had been withdrawn.

Earlier in the day, Spears's lawyers sought visitation rights for the singer, but were not successful. The pop star arrived at the courthouse for the morning hearing, but left shortly thereafter without entering the courtroom.

Last week, Spears lost visitation of sons Preston, 2, and Jayden, 1, indefinitely following a four-hour custody standoff and her brief hospitalization.

Source: People

Britney Spears Leaves Deposition

The following italicized article is from www.pagesix.com:

Britney Spears took an important first step towards getting her kids back on Monday when she showed for her custody deposition at the office of Kevin Federline’s lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan.

She stayed for just over two hours and left with confidante Sam Lutfi. On the way out, she was tight-lipped when asked about her photographer beau Adnan Ghalib, but she was in decidedly higher spirits than she was yesterday when she remarked to a homeless man, "You are better off being homeless than being me, sir.

"When PageSix.com asked how she’s feeling today, she told us, “I’m doing fine thanks!”

The pop star has two court dates scheduled next month — on February 3 when her high-powered law firm, Trope and Trope, is expected to withdraw as counsel, as well as a general custody hearing on February 19.

Source: Page Six

Britney Has Left the Building

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

And she's off! Britney has now left the deposition -- after nearly two and a half hours of testimony. A new record! Britney's attorneys Sorrell Trope and Tara Scott tell TMZ Brit was "in good spirits" during the proceeding.

TMZ caught the weaved-out former star as she drove off -- followed by her usual pack of paparazzi. Although we've been told they're done for the day, this isn't the end for Britney. We've learned the depo could last at least two days -- so we're expecting her back!

Source: TMZ