Author Jay Bergen. © Paul Mehaffey.
Jay Bergen was a trial lawyer in New York City for forty-five years. He has handled antitrust, securities, entertainment and copyright/trademark cases.
As Jay began to write his memoir, he and collaborator playwright/director Catherine Gillet developed a 90-minute multi-media show in which he shares his experiences as John Lennon’s attorney and friend at sold-out venues including two shows at New York City’s renowned cultural center, the 92nd Street Y (2019).
While Jay presented as a buttoned-down NYC trial lawyer, deep down he was a rock ’n’ roller from his high school days. He and John Lennon hit it off right from the day they first met, February 3, 1975. While Jay was awed to become John’s trusted advisor in the Morris Levy litigation, he was able to treat John Lennon as “just another client” – and that’s the way Jay worked with him preparing for the January 1976 trial. The two became friends and that relationship opened Jay to living his life the way he wanted to, rather than the way others wanted.
Through more than 40 years and five home moves, Jay preserved the entire trial transcript, exhibits and related documents in six bankers boxes. The legal records were an integral part of his memories and John and Jay’s friendship. It was a friendship that put Jay on a new life path that culminated in LENNON, the MOBSTER & the LAWYER - The Untold Story.
John Lennon and Yoko with legal team (Jay Bergen at far right) at Sloppy Louie’s in New York, 1975. Photo © Bob Gruen.
In addition to representing John Lennon, he represented Albert Grossman, Bob Dylan’s first manager, in litigation between the two, as well as Terry Knight, founder and manager of Grand Funk Railroad, in litigation between Knight and the band. He assisted ’til tuesday, with Aimee Mann, and Face to Face in securing record deals. He represented the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, and New York Yankees in Major League Baseball salary arbitrations with the clubs’ players. He will not be writing a book about his experiences representing the late George M. Steinbrenner, legendary former owner of the Yankees, although he could!
He lives in North Carolina.
LENNON, the MOBSTER & THE LAWYER
