Producer of ‘L.A. Law’ Charges Breach of Pact

Terry Louise Fisher, co-creator and supervising producer of NBC’s Emmy-winning “L.A. Law,” filed a $50-million breach-of-contract suit Wednesday against 20th Century Fox Television and the show’s co-creator, Steven Bochco.

A former lawyer, Fisher filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court after being barred from her duties as supervising producer of the hit series after contract disputes with Fox Television and personal conflicts with Bochco, the executive producer of the Thursday night drama about a Los Angeles legal firm.

Fisher, who also co-created ABC’s “Hooperman” series with Bochco, was asked by Fox in a letter dated Dec. 4 to stop attending story meetings and to “discontinue communications with series personnel” until the disputes could be resolved.

Along with $50 million in punitive damages, Fisher’s suit seeks an injunction that would prevent Bochco and Fox from continuing to prohibit her from performing her job.

The dispute began when Fox and Bochco requested that Fisher take over “L.A. Law” as executive producer next season. The move would allow Bochco to concentrate on a multimillion-dollar development deal he recently signed with ABC. Discussions between Fisher and Fox over her financial and creative demands reached an impasse about 10 days ago.

The suit says that Fisher tried to attend a Dec. 4 story meeting about an episode she co-wrote. According to the complaint, “After a cordial greeting from other series personnel, Fisher said, ‘Let me pull up a chair.’ Bochco said, ‘No way, you’re out of here.’ ”

Fisher said Wednesday in a prepared statement: “I’ve written a lot of scripts about lawyers helping individuals to stand up for their rights against rich, powerful individuals and giant corporations, but I never imagined I’d be in the middle of such a dispute. I’m sorry that Steven feels that his ‘feathers were ruffled,’ “--a reference to a statement Bochco made to The Times earlier this week.

“I’ve asked him to put aside his personal feelings and meet with me to work things out for the good of the show, but he has refused,” the statement continued. “Unfortunately, I’m left with no choice but to seek recourse in the courts.”

Bochco could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Frank Rohner, declined to comment because, he said, he had not yet seen the suit.

Rohner did, however, rebut recent statements by Fisher that her financial demands were reasonable and “less than what Steven was receiving as executive producer.”

Fisher had been offered $65,000 per episode, Rohner said, but wanted $100,000, which he said is more than Bochco received. The lawyer would not reveal Bochco’s salary.

Rohner also disputed Fisher’s recent charge that Bochco would not meet to discuss their disagreements. The attorney said that Fisher insisted Bochco come to her boat at Marina del Rey to talk, which Bochco felt was unreasonable.