David Cornwell Parts Ways With Bush To Focus On NFLPA Post

Cornwell Parts Ways With Bush To Pursue NFLPA Exec Dir Job

DAVID CORNWELL, a sports attorney who represents a number of athletes and agents in sensitive legal matters, said yesterday he has parted ways with Saints RB REGGIE BUSH because of Cornwell’s interest in pursuing the NFLPA Exec Dir job left vacant by GENE UPSHAW’s death two months ago. Cornwell has been defending Bush in a lawsuit brought by LLOYD LAKE, a convicted felon who alleges Bush and his family received more than $300,000 in cash and gifts while he was at USC. Yahoo Sports reported yesterday that Cornwell was dismissed in favor of celebrity attorney HOWARD WEITZMAN. Cornwell said in a statement, “Reggie Bush and I recently discussed my interest in being appointed as Gene Upshaw’s successor. Given the timing of the selection process and the time and energy I am prepared to commit to pursuing this unique opportunity, Reggie is concerned about the impact on his dispute with Lake. I understand and support his decision to get new counsel up to speed as soon as possible, and I will continue to work closely with Reggie’s new attorneys to ensure a smooth transition” (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal). A source said that Cornwell was dropped after Bush "became angry at the lack of progress and amount of money he has spent in his defense." YAHOO SPORTS' Cole & Robinson noted Weitzman was also a "longtime friend of the late attorney ROBERT KARDASHIAN," the father of Bush's girlfriend KIM KARDASHIAN (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/21).