Access Hollywood

Spears Has New Legal Team In Place; No Change In Custody

February 19, 2008, 11:32 am PST

celebs: Alec Baldwin | Bobby Brown | Britney Spears | Kevin Federline | Kim Basinger | Whitney Houston

UPDATE: In yet another twist to the Britney Spears legal rollercoaster, Spears' legal team, Trope and Trope, has removed themselves from her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline, Access Hollywood has learned.

Stacy Phillips, who represented Bobby Brown in his divorce from Whitney Houston, is now Spears' attorney in her custody case.

[ Access Extended: Britney's Dance Rehearsal & Coffee Break - Watch the Video ]

There was no change in the custody of Spears and Federline's children.

Judge Gordan also said, whether the conservatorship goes to Federal court has nothing to do with the ongoing custody case, and all of Spears' family law matters would proceed unchanged.

[ Britney Spears - View the Gallery ]

Earlier in the day, the two sides disagreed as to whether the court should impose a gag order on all those involved in the Spears-Federline case.

Kevin Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, argued against the gag order, saying that since the conservators have been put in place there are no "favored media outlets." He also argued that a gag order would infringe on first amendment rights, and therefore should not be used.

[ All Access: Kevin Federline ]

Britney's legal team, who is in favor of the gag order, argued it was necessary for the safety of Spears and her two children, Sean Preston and Jayden James. Spears' attorney, Anne Kiley, cited the Alec Baldwin & Kim Basinger divorce as an example.

"If Miss Spears is going to a concert, and paparazzi ask her how are the kids, and she replies 'great' are you going to hold her in contempt?" Kaplan asked the court.

[ Access Extended: Britney's Happier Times, Part 1 - Watch the Video ]

The judge denied the request for a gag order, saying the public has a right to know what the court is doing. He went on to say the safety of those involved was a law enforcement and media issue, and not a court issue. The real concern is the "conduct of photographers," the judge added.

Kiley noted at the beginning of court, that her firm, Trope and Trope, is still asking to withdraw from Spears' legal team, but after today's hearing.

[ Kevin Federline - View the Gallery ]

Both Spears and Federline were not in court today, as they were not required to be present.


comments

comments 1-10 of 17 | newest | < newer | older > | oldest
%@!*# I would go crazy if the paparrazi was following me around too . For god sakes let the Lil Breezy do her.
report abuseposted April 3, 2008, 3:11 pm PDT
hey if yo sends dat money I won't have to pimp nobody out. man you all is so hateful. all I want is yo ta show me da moneys! dats da way to super K peace
report abuseposted February 21, 2008, 4:27 am PST
I agree with ya, Hawks, animals take better care of their offspring. Life is choices. If you make a mistake, learn from it......in Brit's case, tho, you just can't fix stupid. Unfortunately, K-Fed is what the boys are stuck with. You can't pick your parents. Hopefully, pops won't pimp out his kids like so many money-hungry stage parents. Are you listening, Dina
report abuseposted February 20, 2008, 10:55 am PST
i dont realy know much bout britney, but i tik d children shud hav been left wit her,after all is said and done she is still their mother.
report abuseposted February 20, 2008, 4:53 am PST
dat dumb gurl. she an't gonna git nothing. she better be sendin me sum mo moneys for da kids ....dats rite. yo all needs to send Britney lots of money now. quit supporting the troops and start supportin me and my kids pls. we need moneys for stuff and party. bling bling super K
report abuseposted February 20, 2008, 4:34 am PST
Britney's lawyers are terrible and i mean Terrible.
report abuseposted February 19, 2008, 10:44 pm PST
Gotti G, obviously you do!
report abuseposted February 19, 2008, 5:03 pm PST
who wants to help brit? we don't want people to think they can do that to people and the rest of the world will sit and watch
report abuseposted February 19, 2008, 4:43 pm PST
Brit has CHOSEN this for her life. She chose BAD behavior, BAD choices and drugs and booze. She should never had kids. Its her kids that you should feel sorry for b/c the mom is so mesed up. The only ones its unfair to is her kids... that they have a HORRIBLE mom like Brit. an ANIMAL takes better care of her offspring than this skank does!!! Her fans are as pathetic as she is!!!
report abuseposted February 19, 2008, 4:09 pm PST
Brit has CHOSEN this for her life. She chose BAD behavior, BAD choices and drugs and booze. She should never had kids. Its her kids that you should feel sorry for b/c the mom is so mesed up. The only ones its unfair to is her kids... that they have a HORRIBLE mom like Brit. an ANIMAL takes better care of her offspring than this skank does!!! Her fans are as pathetic as she is!!!
report abuseposted February 19, 2008, 4:07 pm PST
comments 1-10 of 17 | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

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