It was one of
worst periods of time in my life.Recently separated, I had just lost custody of my 2 daughters and was forced to vacate my newly-renovated home (with 3 days notice) that contained well-equipped recording studio I had spent 2 years building prior to selling my drycleaning business (in order to build a long-desired music production company).
Divorce - Canadian style!
Two years before, I discovered that a *friend*, a music contact I had worked with and even spent time with in Hollywood a decade prior, had stolen a song that I and my music partner had written and presented to this budding writer/producer at that time. He had since become a major player in music business and had lifted *so much* our song, placing it on album of a multi-million selling female artist.
After much consideration and consultation with a prominent Detroit attorney, we decided to proceed with a lawsuit against this record producer. And, as these matters usually go, we had to retain high profile legal representation in California and also sue 'innocents', in this case recording artist, record company and publishing company, with hope (at least mine) that they would bring pressure upon sole guilty party to get a just settlement.
And of course, I was counter sued for over a million dollars and had to begin dealing with that ugly business.
Now, living with friends during this confusing, dark period of time, a call came from my California attorney. I was forced to confront inevitable - a trip to Los Angeles for a legal hearing.
I had neither heart nor will to follow through with this. Neither did I have money for flight and hotel as all my assets had been frozen by divorce court at time.
I recall, as if it were yesterday, how Doug somehow sensed my emotional turmoil and just matter-of-factly told me to pick up airline ticket at terminal and then invited me to stay with his family. This is where real story begins.
Immediately after meeting Doug in person for first time at airport on a Friday afternoon, I felt so unusually comfortable. The hearing was on Monday but he had no intention of discussing case at all on drive to his home. Instead we talked about our families, friends, careers and hobbies. His was mountain climbing and he has since scaled tallest peaks on continent!
He told me about how much his wife and daughter were looking forward to having me stay with them. And, that he had planned get- togethers with some of his rather famous friends. See, we had built a rather unique friendship over phone during time building up to this hearing, but I had no idea Doug would be going all out during our short visit.
I arrived at his beautiful home in Hollywood Hills to warm hugs of Doug's wonderful wife and cuter-than-cute little daughter. If you've ever visited someone's home for very first time and immediately, and truly felt right at home, well, this was one of those rare instances. Mi casa es su casa.
All of us had a great amount of fun getting to know one another and, as promised, we had most enjoyable Friday and Saturday evenings with Doug’s crazy but wonderful friends in entertainment world. After all, I was in my element
Sunday night was sleepless however. Although I was very confident in Doug and his abilities (I'd love to be able to tell you who he has represented in past but terms of ultimate settlement in this action prohibit me from sharing any details that would identify any of parties involved), I was still very concerned about being in court with 4 sets of high-powered attorneys against, well, just me and Doug. Rumor had it that defendant's father, a very high profile attorney from a major U.S. city, was also flying in for showdown.
On drive to downtown LA on Monday morning, we finally began discussing case. Doug had put my mind at as much ease as possible as we headed toward magnificent skyline. If you've ever seen skyscrapers of Los Angeles in person or in movies, you will surely remember tall, white, rounded building in center. Doug's office was near top floor.
He didn't park anywhere near it however. He pulled into this pay- per-day lot in a less than fashionable neighborhood many blocks away. Strange. Homeless people populated streets. We started long trek towards ivory tower but suddenly Doug stopped to speak to an old man with a wind-weathered face, crouched against a building clutching a "mickey" of cheap “Thunderbird" wine in his dirty, gnarled hands. He simply asked this poor soul how he was doing and if he had anything to eat recently. The reply was incoherent and Doug just smiled and handed him 2 one-dollar bills. We walked onward.
