From Rolling Stone · Cheyenne Roundtree · · 1m 40s
Diddy's lawyers quit over six months of unpaid fees
Sean Combs' civil attorneys withdraw from his defamation case, citing unpaid legal bills and a complete breakdown in communication.
In brief
Sean Combs' civil attorneys withdraw from his defamation case, citing unpaid legal bills and a complete breakdown in communication. Combs is now without legal representation in a defamation lawsuit while serving a 50-month prison sentence, with disputes over legal fees adding to his mounting legal troubles. Originally…
Diddy's lawyers walk away
The New York firm Sher Tremonte dropped Sean Combs as a client Monday, citing six months of unpaid legal fees and a complete breakdown in cooperation and communication.
“"total breakdown in cooperation and communication."”
The case they're leaving
Sher Tremonte was representing Combs in a defamation suit against Nexstar Media, lawyer Ariel Mitchell, and Courtney Burgess over 2024 allegations on NewsNation's Banfield that claimed Combs mixed drugs with baby oil.
Months without payment
The law firm says Combs was in substantial arrears on legal fees, with his last payment related to expenses from late 2025. He also declined to be available for substantive communications about his cases for over four months.
“"substantial arrears" in paying his legal fees”
Combs disputes the charges
Through his spokesperson, Combs claimed he switched lawyers because he wouldn't let anyone overcharge him with unapproved bills. He called it a business dispute, not an unpaid fees issue.
“"I won't let anyone take advantage of me by overcharging me"”
The firm fires back
Partner Michael Tremonte said Sher Tremonte represented Combs zealously and efficiently, and that claims of overcharging are false. The firm is withdrawing because of unpaid invoices and lack of cooperation.
“"Any suggestion that we overcharged him is simply false."”
Combs serving 50-month sentence
Combs is currently incarcerated at Fort Dix, a minimum-security federal facility in New Jersey, serving a 50-month sentence after his conviction on prostitution offenses. He's scheduled for release in February 2028.
The takeaway
Combs is now without legal representation in a defamation lawsuit while serving a 50-month prison sentence, with disputes over legal fees adding to his mounting legal troubles.
