{
  "id": 11487894,
  "title": "Steve Ballmer Moves On From Lawyer Who Called NBA Probe a ‘Witch Hunt’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/steve-ballmer-moves-on-from-lawyer-who-called-nba-probe-a-witch-hunt",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T17:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Front Office Sports",
    "slug": "front-office-sports",
    "url": "https://frontofficesports.com/article/steve-ballmer-lawyer-no-longer-representing-witch-hunt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Steve Ballmer has parted ways with the attorney who called the NBA's investigation into Kawhi Leonard's salary cap violations a \"witch hunt\", according to Front Office Sports. David Kelley of O’Melveny & Myers had previously criticized Adam Silver in a letter sent on September 2nd, but Ballmer is now represented by Simpson Thacher. Ballmer had initially planned to fight the league's punishments against the Los Angeles Clippers, but has since changed his stance. Simpson Thacher partner Rafi Prober will continue to serve as Ballmer's primary attorney for general legal matters, with Bill Burck from Quinn Emmanuel assisting him. The source did not disclose the specifics of Ballmer's new legal representation, nor did they comment on Ballmer's reasons for moving on from Kelley.",
  "summary": "O’Melveny & Myers had been representing Ballmer in multiple matters.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}