Attorneys representing Sean “Diddy” Combs filed a motion on Monday, September 14, 2026, to withdraw as his legal counsel, citing unpaid fees and a lack of cooperation. The legal team from Sher Tremonte LLP filed the request in connection with a lawsuit Combs brought against Nexstar Media, Ariel Mitchell, and Courtney Burgess regarding reporting on the program “Banfield.”
Michael Tremonte, a partner at the firm, stated in court documents that Combs has not paid a “substantial” amount of his legal invoices and has been “unreasonably difficult” to work with. According to Tremonte, the most recent payment for legal services occurred in late 2025. He further alleged that Combs has not made himself available for substantive communication regarding his cases for more than four months.
Combs disputed these claims through his spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, stating he chose to end the relationship due to being overcharged for unapproved bills. Combs described the situation as a business dispute over unauthorized charges. In response, Tremonte told Rolling Stone that the firm represented Combs efficiently and that any suggestion of overcharging was false. The attorneys are also seeking a retaining lien against Combs until all outstanding fees are settled.
The scale of the financial dispute was described by the law firm as “substantial,” though the specific dollar amount was not reported. For Combs, the outcome of this motion determines who will represent him in his ongoing litigation against media entities and individuals. If the retaining lien is granted, the firm may hold onto case files or property until the debt is resolved, which could affect his ability to transition to new counsel and defend against the civil allegations he faces.
The legal transition occurs as Combs remains incarcerated following a conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The broader litigation environment surrounding Combs began in November 2023 following a settled lawsuit by Casandra Ventura, which led to a series of additional legal claims. The court must now decide whether to grant the firm’s request to withdraw; if approved, Combs will need to secure new representation or represent himself in the Nexstar Media case. As of September 17, 2026, the court had not yet ruled on the motion.