Britney Spears' attorney, Samuel D. Ingham III, resigns from court-appointed role
Samuel D. Ingham III, Britney Spears' court-appointed attorney, has resigned.
Ingham submitted resignation letters for himself and his co-counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP, on Tuesday, according to court documents obtained by ABC News.
The lawyer has asked that the resignation be effective upon the appointment of new counsel.
Ingham faced intense scrutiny in the wake of Spears' bombshell testimony last month, during which she said, "I didn't know I could petition the conservatorship to be ended." Ingham has not commented on his discussions with Spears, which are subject to attorney-client privilege.
However, Ingham advocated on Spears' behalf last year to remove Jamie Spears from his role as co-conservator, reportedly telling Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Penny that the pop star was afraid of her father and would not perform with him controlling her estate.
"She will not perform again if her father is in charge of her career," Ingham said.
This is the second major shakeup to Spears' team this week. On Monday, the "Toxic" singer's longtime manager, Larry Rudolph, resigned.
In a letter addressed the co-executors of Spears' conservatorship and obtained by Deadline, Rudolph explained why he wanted to step down from the role he's held since 1995.
"It has been over 2 1/2 years since Britney and I last communicated, at which time she informed me she wanted to take an indefinite work hiatus," Rudolph wrote, noting he recently became aware of Spears' "intention to officially retire."
He continued, "As you know, I have never been a part of the conservatorship nor its operations, so I am not privy to many of these details. I was originally hired at Britney's request to help manage and assist her with her career. And as her manager, I believe it is in Britney's best interest for me to resign from her team, as my professional services are no longer needed."
"I will always be incredibly proud of what we accomplished over our 25 years together," he expressed. "I wish Britney all the health and happiness in the world, and I'll be there for her if she ever needs me again, just as I always have been."
Spears, 39, pleaded with a judge last month to end her 13-year conservatorship, claiming that it is "abusive" and is "doing me way more harm than good."
Last week, Penny, who heard the singer's testimony, signed paperwork denying the star's request to remove her father from her conservatorship. Soon thereafter, Bessemer Trust, the wealth management firm approved to manage the singer's finances alongside her father, resigned from its role as co-conservator.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 14.
