A Bird Marella team led by partner Thomas Freeman, including partners John Berlinski and Julia Cherlow and associate Brandon Teachout, secured a published appellate victory in the long-running dispute between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
Bird Marella represents Mr. Pitt in his lawsuit against ex-wife Angelina Jolie and others from the Stoli spirits empire concerning the parties’ purported interests in Château Miraval, the highly regarded French winery.
Mr. Pitt named Russian-born billionaire Yuri Shefler (the beneficial owner of Stoli) as a defendant but the trial court initially granted Shefler’s motion to quash for lack of personal jurisdiction. On June 24, 2026, the California Court of Appeal reversed, holding that Mr. Shefler was subject to specific jurisdiction in California.
The Court found that Mr. Shefler purposefully directed activities toward California by participating in the acquisition of a California company with an interest in Miraval, communicating with California-based parties, including Ms. Jolie, and undertaking ongoing obligations tied to the state. Mr. Pitt’s claims were found to arise from those contacts, and the exercise of jurisdiction was deemed fair and reasonable.
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