Breaking Down Carpenter’s Notable Legal Matters
1. The 2017 Manager Dispute—A Contractual Challenge
Sabrina Carpenter’s most significant legal confrontation came in 2017 when former music managers Stan Rogow and Elliot Lurie filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking commissions for their early work on her career. They claimed that Carpenter and her team cut them out of entitled payments after a 2014 termination, alleging breach of contract tied to her breakout albums, Eyes Wide Open and Evolution.
The Managers’ Case:
Rogow and Lurie asserted they brokered key industry deals and shouldered much of the legwork that made Carpenter’s transition from Disney actress to chart-topping singer possible. The lawsuit detailed a 2011 agreement to split a portion of her then-manager’s commission and cited their efforts to secure her pivotal Hollywood Records deal and role on Girl Meets World.
Carpenter’s Response—and Court’s Decision:
The court disagreed with the managers’ claims. On May 23, 2018, the case was resolved in favor of Carpenter, with a ruling that not only denied the requested damages but also entitled Carpenter to recover her legal costs.
In a bold, creative twist, Carpenter immortalized the ordeal in her song “Sue Me,” a power-pop anthem that doubles as a victory lap and cautionary tale about the perils—and inspiration—of legal drama.
