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Philippe Dauman and George Abrams Defeat Motions to Dismiss and Are Granted Expedited Trial in Viacom Litigation

Judge George Phelan of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court denied six motions to dismiss Paul, Weiss clients Philippe Dauman's and George Abrams' amended complaint in equity. Mr. Dauman's and Mr. Abrams' action challenges their purported removals as trustees of the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust, which effectively controls both CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. They assert that the purported removals are invalid because Sumner Redstone, who supposedly effectuated the removals, lacked the capacity at the time and/or was subject to the undue influence of his daughter Shari Redstone.

Judge Phelan ruled that Dauman's and Abrams' amended complaint sufficiently alleged both incapacity and undue influence and that the validity of the removals should be decided in a Massachusetts court. Judge Phelan ordered a trial date for October and further ordered defendants to produce Mr. Redstone's medical records.

The Paul, Weiss Team includes, among others, litigation partners Leslie Fagen, who argued the motion, and Dan Leffell; corporate partner Robert Schumer and counsel Branch Furtado; and ERISA partner Robert Fleder.

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