Howard K. Stern is an American lawyer and television personality who rose to fame as the long-time companion of the late Anna Nicole Smith. Since her death in 2007, he has remained in the public eye for his legal battles and media appearances. From his many court cases to his own reality show, Howard K. Stern’s story is one of resilience and determination.
Who is Howard K. Stern?
Howard K. Stern is an American lawyer and television personality who rose to fame as the long-time companion of the late Anna Nicole Smith. Born in California in 1968, Stern received his undergraduate degree from California State University, Northridge and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. After passing the bar exam he moved to Los Angeles to practice law before eventually becoming Anna Nicole Smith’s personal lawyer, manager, and companion.
Early Career
Education and early work experiences
Howard K. Stern received his undergraduate degree from California State University, Northridge and his J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. After graduating, Stern passed the bar exam and moved to Los Angeles to practice law. He worked as an attorney for several prominent law firms in the city before becoming Anna Nicole Smith’s personal lawyer, manager, and companion. During this time, Stern also produced the Anna Nicole Smith Show for E! Entertainment Television.
How he became interested in law
Coming from a family of lawyers, Howard K. Stern was no stranger to the practice of law. Although he initially had dreams of becoming an actor, Stern ultimately chose to pursue a career in law. His interest in the field was further sparked by his father’s work as an attorney, and he eventually decided to attend law school and become an attorney himself.
Legal Career
Successes and notable cases
Howard K. Stern has had a successful legal career, representing prominent figures such as Anna Nicole Smith and her late husband, J. Howard Marshall II. In 2006, Stern famously won a $475 million judgment against Marshall’s long-time adversary E. Pierce Marshall in the case of Anna Nicole Smith v. E. Pierce Marshall et al. This was one of the largest awards ever granted in a probate case in American history.
Controversies and criticism
Howard K. Stern has been the subject of controversy and criticism for his involvement in several of Anna Nicole Smith’s legal cases. In particular, he was accused of helping Smith to fraudulently obtain a large inheritance from her late husband, J. Howard Marshall II. Additionally, there were accusations that Stern had been exploiting Smith for financial gain. He also faced criticism for his alleged role in Anna Nicole’s untimely death, with some claiming he had been supplying her with drugs.
Personal Life
Relationship with Anna Nicole Smith
Howard K. Stern was the long-time companion of the late Anna Nicole Smith. Their relationship began in 1999, when Stern became her personal lawyer, manager, and companion. Despite the controversy surrounding their relationship, they remained close until her death in 2007. Following her death, Stern served as a trustee for her estate and took legal action on behalf of her son.
Legal battles for custody of their daughter
When Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter, Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, was born in 2006, her paternity and custody were immediately thrust into legal battles. Initially, Smith refused to name the father of the child and instead applied for sole custody. However, after Smith’s death in 2007, Howard K. Stern began a legal battle for custody of the child with Anna Nicole’s former boyfriend, Larry Birkhead. In the end, Birkhead was awarded custody of the child.
Controversies and scandals
Howard K. Stern has been involved in several controversies and scandals over the years, many of which have surrounded his relationship with Anna Nicole Smith. In particular, he was accused of helping Smith to fraudulently obtain a large inheritance from her late husband, J. Howard Marshall II. Additionally, there were accusations that Stern had been exploiting Smith for financial gain, and that he had been supplying her with drugs that contributed to her untimely death.
Legacy
Impact on entertainment law and celebrity cases
Howard K. Stern has had a lasting impact on entertainment law and celebrity cases, both as an attorney and as the companion of Anna Nicole Smith. His involvement in the case of Anna Nicole Smith v. E. Pierce Marshall et al brought much attention to the field of probate law, as it was one of the largest awards ever granted in a probate case in American history. Additionally, his legal battles for custody of Anna Nicole’s daughter served as a cautionary tale to celebrities and other public figures, highlighting the dangers of not properly establishing paternity and guardianship prior to their death.
Reflection on his career and influence
Howard K. Stern has had a long and successful career as an attorney, representing many prominent clients throughout the years. His involvement in high-profile cases such as Anna Nicole Smith v. E. Pierce Marshall et al has given him a lasting legacy in entertainment law and celebrity cases. His legal battle for custody of Anna Nicole’s daughter also served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of not properly establishing paternity and guardianship prior to their death. Despite the controversies and scandals that have surrounded him, Stern has had a positive influence on entertainment law and celebrity cases.
Conclusion
Howard K. Stern is a controversial figure, to be sure. From his involvement in Anna Nicole Smith’s legal cases to the accusations of exploiting her for financial gain, there is much that can be said about his character and behavior. But at the end of the day, Howard K. Stern has had an undeniable impact on entertainment law and celebrity cases. His legal battle for custody of Anna Nicole’s daughter served as a cautionary tale to those in the public eye, and his representation of her during the probate case of Anna Nicole Smith v. E. Pierce Marshall et al was one of the most high-profile cases of its kind. Despite the controversies that have surrounded him, Howard K. Stern has had a lasting impact on entertainment law and celebrity cases.
