The legal community of California is mourning the passing of a titan of the Hollywood entertainment law bar – Jake Bloom, who was 81 at the time of his demise. Revered in entertainment law circles, Bloom left an indelible mark on the industry by negotiating deal-after-deal for an array of celebrity actors, directors, and producers.
As an alumnus of Cornell Law, Bloom embarked on a legendary career by co-founding Bloom Hergott. The firm solidified its position as one of Hollywood’s most prestigious entertainment law firms in no time. Given the high-profile nature of his clientele, Bloom’s counsel was much sought after in the industry, as outlined in additional information provided on this by Deadline.
His roster included producers Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Jerry Bruckheimer, Charles Roven, John Davis, Larry Gordon and Lorenzo di Bonaventura as well as directors Ron Howard, John Hughes and Brad Bird. Experienced in dealing with top-tier motion picture and television personalities, among Bloom’s clientele were Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Patric and Jackie Chan.
According to Variety, amongst Bloom’s success stories was securing an immensely lucrative deal for Johnny Depp’s participation in Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean.” However, Bloom Hergott’s relationship with Depp later soured when Depp filed a lawsuit accusing the firm of mishandling his divorce from Amber Heard and collecting millions in fees without a formal retainer agreement over several decades. Depp’s case ultimately prevailed and resulted in a substantial settlement by the firm.
Bloom retired in 2019, a few months before the firm’s settlement with Depp was reported, with Hergott following suit shortly after. Bloom is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.
Even in his passing, Jake Bloom leaves behind a formidable legacy in the world of entertainment law, inspiring many who follow in his footsteps. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and colleagues during this sorrowful period.