Overview
- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cherol Nellon dismissed the 2023 lawsuit on July 31, finding Howard failed to show non‑speculative damages that could proceed to trial.
- The ruling said any negotiated increase would have gone to Universal Bridges, Howard’s loan‑out company, so it was unclear the actor personally would have received more pay.
- Howard had accused Creative Artists Agency of breach of fiduciary duty and fraud for not disclosing packaging economics and representing multiple parties on Empire.
- CAA argued in court papers that Howard lacked standing, that claims were time‑barred, and that his damages theory was speculative; the judge relied on those limits in her decision.
- The case highlights how loan‑out contracts and a studio’s refusal to renegotiate can block claims over agent conduct and feeds broader scrutiny of agencies’ packaging fees.