Cuyahoga County jury rejects remaining claims against music industry investors following closely watched business dispute
CLEVELAND, Ohio – October 27, 2026 – Kohrman Jackson & Krantz (KJK) secured a complete defense verdict on behalf of music industry executive Cliff Chenfeld, investor Michelle Wesley Licata and their affiliated companies in a lawsuit seeking approximately $40 million in damages. The case, tried in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, involved Elevation Festivals, the company behind the WonderStruck, WonderBus, WonderRoad and WonderWorks music festivals.
The victory followed a two-week trial and a series of favorable rulings for the defense. On Oct. 20, the court dismissed several of the plaintiffs’ claims before the case reached the jury. The jury subsequently returned a complete defense verdict on all remaining claims, bringing the litigation to a successful conclusion for Chenfeld, Licata and their affiliated companies.
“We are pleased that the jury ruled in our clients’ favor. This is a tremendous victory and we are proud to have represented them in this trial.” said Jon Pinney, Managing Partner of KJK.
“This was a hard-fought, two-week trial, and our team was prepared at every stage,” said Dan Matusicky, Partner at KJK. “We are grateful to the jury for its careful attention, and we are pleased that our clients can now move forward.”
The KJK trial team was led by Managing Partner Jon Pinney and partner Dan Matusicky and included partner Tiffany Carwile and associates Michael Cantu, Jace Libman-Phelps, Isra Ghanem and Josie Forney.
The case is Elevation Music, LLC, et al. v. Thundercrack Productions, LLC, et al., Case No. CV 24-106471, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
About KJK
Kohrman Jackson & Krantz (KJK) is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, serving businesses and individuals locally and nationally. With more than 50 attorneys and a broad range of legal services, KJK combines the capabilities of a national practice with the personalized approach of a smaller firm. Since 1918, KJK has worked alongside its clients as a business partner, helping them navigate complex challenges, protect their interests and pursue opportunities for growth.
Media Contact:
Amanda Messeri
Director of Marketing & Communications, KJK
amesseri@kjk.com; 216.736.7229
www.kjk.com