Citing a breakdown in their professional relationship, an attorney for Smokey Robinson and his wife is asking a judge to allow him to be relieved as the couple’s lawyer in a labor lawsuit filed by some of the Robinsons’ former domestic workers.
Attorney David Kenner filed court papers on Thursday requesting to step down, and Judge Kevin Brazile scheduled a hearing for Oct. 9. Kenner’s court papers did not offer specifics, but the attorney said he would respond to any of the judge’s inquiries as to why in private.
Kenner substituted in as the Robinsons’ attorney on June 23, replacing their previous counsel, Christopher Frost.
In the suit filed in May 2025, the four original plaintiffs contend they were sexually abused at the 86-year-old music icon’s Chatsworth home and elsewhere. Two newer plaintiffs identified as Jane Doe 5 and John Doe 1 joined the case last November.
The Robinsons have denied the workers’ allegations and have filed a countersuit. Trial of all the litigation is scheduled for Oct. 11, 2027.