Talent scout who discovered Drake files lawsuit against rapper’s management team

Contract development is an important element of any business relationship. Business attorneys in Phoenix can help company executives create the appropriate  legal documents. The  agreements may include alternative dispute resolution (ADR) clauses, which can keep legal costs to a minimum and help two parties come to a resolution. For instance, James Prince – the man credited with discovering rapper Drake – may have avoided a current lawsuit if he had signed a contract with Drake's management team that required him to receive part of the royalties from the rapper's music and the contract contained a mediation and/or arbitration provision.

Instead, Prince came to a verbal agreement and is now pursuing legal action against the managers who allegedly disregarded him when it came to paying royalties. The breach of contract lawsuit was filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court ( a New York State trial court) . According to the New York Daily News, the managers – Cortez Bryant, Gerald Roberson and Derrick Lawrence – have rejected Prince's requests for an account of how much he is owed.

"We have no idea how much is owed because they are hiding behind one guy," Prince's attorney James McMillan told the news source. "It's one big shell game."

A Phoenix business law firm can help parties much like James Prince and the management team come to a resolution through a mediation process in which the two sides submit a brief on their positions. The disputing parties are then situated in separate rooms and asked further questions aimed at figuring out which aspects they are willing to compromise on.  The mediator then engages in "shuttle diplomacy" back and forth between the parties to see if a compromise agreement can be reached. If so, the parties will sign a written settlement agreement.

This process is aimed at helping the individuals reach a settlement. However, if the parties are unwilling to settle, the next step to take is an arbitration. Phoenix business attorneys can help by providing advice on how the Federal Arbitration Act and the Arizona Revised Uniform Arbitration Act interact with each other.

But, in the absence of a written contract which specifies mediation and/or arbitration, the plaintiff, like Prince, is left to filing a lawsuit in the local court system. This costs time and money. And, in Prince’s case the first problem is to prove there was even a definite agreement. 

ADR does not work in all cases and has its disadvantages as well as advantages; so, the parties are advised to seek consultation and advice with  Phoenix business attorneys before entering in to  an agreement containing a mediation or arbitration clause.

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