Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Modeling Agency Non-Payment

I am writing on behalf of a number of people who are all models of a well known Model and Talent Agency with offices is San Diego and Los Angeles. We are considering legal action against the agency because of lack of payment for work done on several jobs by all the different models. The normal time table for payment is 30 to 60 days, but for many of the jobs it is now 4 or 5 months and we still have not received payment. I have been in contact with the accounting department and have been getting the run-around since december. I have been told by them that the owner is having financial troubles and is selling the company. The work that we have done has already been paid by the numerous clients to the agency and the clients are already using the images for advertisements and promotional materials. Some of the models are owed small amounts around $1000, but some are owed over 10k. We are not sure what are rights are regarding this situation and what our legal recourse is if we decided to band together and submit a class action lawsuit. I have also heard that it maybe possible to collect interest or a penalty in addition to money owed.


Asked on 3/10/08, 9:32 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ryan P. McClure The Law Offices of Ryan P. McClure

Re: Modeling Agency Non-Payment

Sounds like you were a independent contractor and not an employee of the agency based on your payment terms. Have you tried going to an attorney or collection agency to collect on the past due monies?

Good Luck!

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Answered on 3/28/08, 4:42 pm


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