Smokey Robinson Shuffles Lawyers in Sexual Assault Case

Smokey Robinson has replaced his legal team for a second time in three months, as he fights a $50 million sexual abuse lawsuit.

Celebrity attorney Anahita Sedaghatfar appeared in court on behalf of Robinson and his wife Frances Robinson on Sept. 15. Sedaghatfar is the third lawyer to represent the couple in the case, according to Billboard.

“Changing attorneys during the course of litigation is not unusual and is in fact common,” Sedaghatfar told Billboard, adding, “My clients unequivocally deny the allegations.”

Robinson, 86, was first represented by Christopher Frost, who left the case in June without publicly giving a reason for his departure.

David Kenner then joined the case, but asked the court for permission to part ways with Robinson in August. He cited a “breakdown in the attorney-client relationship.”

Robinson’s legal battle began in May 2025, when four former housekeepers filed a civil complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Their attorney, John Harris, of Los Angeles-based Harris & Hayden held a news conference that was carried by local news stations.

“Our four clients have a common thread. They’re Hispanic women who were employed as housekeepers by the Robinsons, earning below minimum wage,” Harris said, suggesting Robinson was violating California labor laws, in addition to the alleged sexual abuse.

As previously reported, the Jane Doe plaintiffs accused the Motown legend of sexual assault, allegedly occurring while they worked at his Los Angeles-area home between 2007 and 2024.

Their complaint included allegations of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and gender violence. Frances Robinson was accused of enabling her husband’s alleged behavior and creating a hostile workplace.

Six months later on Nov. 14, two more alleged victims were added to the complaint — a man and a woman — who both claimed Robinson tried to force them to touch his penis.

Robinson denied the allegations by both new accusers through his attorney, who said the man and woman were trying to “extract money” from the singer-songwriter.

“These plaintiffs are part of the same group of people who have conspired together against the Robinsons and are layering out their claims for maximum adverse publicity,” Robinson’s then-attorney, Christopher Frost, said in a statement to Urban Hollywood 411.

The singer filed a countersuit against the accusers, alleging defamation, slander, emotional distress, financial elder abuse, and invasion of privacy.

The “Tears of a Clown” singer may have more to worry about than dueling civil lawsuits.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Unit launched a criminal probe in the case. In May 2025, the department confirmed it was “actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA ‘Smokey Robinson.'” No charges have been filed.

A civil trial is scheduled to begin in October 2027.