Smokey Robinson’s $50M Sexual Assault Lawsuit Gets Third Lawyer in 3 Months

Smokey Robinson’s $50 million sexual assault lawsuit has a third defense attorney in three months, with a new lawyer taking over as six former employees pursue allegations against the Motown legend ahead of a 2027 trial.

Attorney Anahita Sedaghatfar appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court this week as counsel for Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, replacing David Kenner. The change follows the earlier departure of Christopher Frost, who represented Robinson when the lawsuit was filed.

Kenner took over in June and moved to withdraw about two months later, citing a “breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.” His filing offered no further public explanation for the split.

Sedaghatfar said changing attorneys during litigation is common and that the Robinsons “unequivocally deny the allegations.” She said her focus will be on the evidence and preparing their defense as the case moves toward trial.

The lawsuit was originally filed in May 2025 by four former housekeepers who accused Robinson of sexual assault, rape and other misconduct while working at his Los Angeles-area home. Two additional former employees, a fifth housekeeper and a man who detailed the Robinsons’ cars, later joined with separate allegations, bringing the number of accusers to six.

Robinson, 86, has denied wrongdoing and accused the former employees of fabricating their claims in an effort to obtain money from him. Frances Robinson is also named as a defendant and is accused of failing to prevent some of the alleged conduct.

The singer and his wife responded with claims of their own against the accusers, including allegations of defamation, financial elder abuse, theft and destruction of evidence. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin C. Brazile struck the defamation claims in April after finding the challenged statements were protected activity under California’s anti-SLAPP law.

Other claims brought by the Robinsons remain pending, while the couple is appealing the ruling on the defamation allegations. The former employees are also seeking more than $1.2 million in attorneys’ fees tied to their partial victory on the anti-SLAPP motion, with that dispute affected by the pending appeal.

Robinson’s latest attorney change comes as both sides prepare for a trial scheduled for Oct. 11, 2027. The court has also allowed the accusers to continue using pseudonyms while the civil case moves forward.

A separate criminal investigation remains open after some of the women filed reports with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. No criminal charges have been filed against Robinson in connection with the allegations.

Sedaghatfar now takes over the defense as the $50 million lawsuit, the Robinsons’ remaining counterclaims, and their appeal move toward the 2027 trial.