Top Lawyer to Leave Firm Over Pellicano Case, Sources Say

Louis “Skip” Miller is leaving the prominent Century City law firm he helped start, largely because of the tumult surrounding the indictment of longtime partner Terry N. Christensen in the Anthony Pellicano wiretap scandal, two people familiar with the matter said Monday.

Miller, 59, co-head of litigation at Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro, declined to comment Monday.

Two people knowledgeable about his imminent departure said the veteran lawyer -- who is known for his aggressive style -- is weighing his options and has not determined his next move.

Christensen’s indictment and its fallout weighed heavily in Miller’s decision, according to the two people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were preempting an announcement by the firm.

In February, a federal grand jury indicted Christensen, a self-described hardball litigator, on charges he paid Pellicano at least $100,000 to tap the phones of Lisa Bonder Kerkorian, the ex-wife of billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, a longtime client.

Christensen has denied the allegation.

Miller is a UCLA Law School graduate who has practiced for more than 30 years, mostly with Christensen. Before founding Christensen, Miller in 1988, they practiced at the now defunct Wyman, Bautzer, Kuchel & Silbert.

Miller gained his reputation as an aggressive litigator in high-profile cases, including several for the city of Los Angeles.

Among other cases, he successfully defended former City Councilman Nate Holden against two sexual harassment lawsuits that rang up a controversial $1.5-million tab for Christensen, Miller and another firm.

Miller also has represented a number of entertainment figures, including Rod Stewart, Elton John, Nick Nolte and Bob Dylan, according to the firm’s website.

His departure marks the second major defection from a prominent Los Angeles law firm linked to the Pellicano case, which has widened since the grand jury indicted the Hollywood private eye and six others in February.

In April, Dale F. Kinsella and Howard L. Weitzman left Greenberg, Glusker, Fields, Claman, Machtinger & Kinsella to start a new practice. They have said the decision was unrelated to the Pellicano case.

Pellicano worked for a number of attorneys at the firm, notably partner Bert Fields, a well-known entertainment attorney who has acknowledged being a subject of the investigation. Last month, The Times reported prosecutors had decided not to seek an indictment against the firm but are weighing charges against individual attorneys.