Christopher C. Melcher

Celebrity Legal News Commentator. Top family law attorney for celebrities and business owners in California.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Why did Amber Heard call the media in 2016 instead of the police if she feared Johnny Depp, and how did her bruise disappear overnight? Let’s break it down #justiceforJohnnyDepp

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

As Sridhar Vembu’s attorney, I can provide the real background for those who have any question whether Sridhar has done anything wrong. The allegations made by his wife are completely false and this story is likewise untrue.

Sridhar owns 5% of the shares of Zoho Corporation Private Limited (ZCPL). He offered last year to transfer 50% of his shares to his wife, unconditionally. That proposal remains open, but she will not accept the stock. Instead, she claims Sridhar owns 88% of the stock. Her allegation is completely false. Records back to 2011 show that Sridhar holds the same amount of shares today as he did then.

The wife’s assertion that Sridhar somehow secretly transferred his ownership in ZCPL to others to defraud her in the divorce is ridiculous. Sridhar is an honest person who has not cheated her. Moreover, he did not know in 2011 that there would be a divorce in 2021. It makes no sense that he was planning for a divorce in 2011 then wait 10 years.

ZCPL and its other owners have operated for the last 10 years on the true basis that Sridhar owns 5% of the stock. He cannot transfer more shares to his wife than he owns.

The order by the California court in January 2025 was made on an emergency application by the wife who asserted, without evidence, that Sridhar owned 88% of the stock. She asked for a bond in the United States for $1.7 billion to cover her supposed 1/2 interest of the 88% of the shares. The judge inexplicably made the order in violation of Shridhar’s rights to due process and over my strong objection. The order has no legal or factual basis, and is a complete departure from the California justice system.

The wife’s attorney told the reporter that the order is valid. That same attorney has made no effort to enforce the bond order in the past six months, which is a tacit acknowledgment the order is invalid. Sridhar has no ability to post a bond for $1.7 billion, which highlights the absurdity of the ruling.

The order appointing receiver has been completely stayed. No receiver took any action against Sridhar, ZCPL, or anyone else. There is no receiver in place.

To highlight the due process violation, the court
entered a receivership order against Tony Thomas at the January 2025 hearing, even though he had no notice of the hearing and was not present. It is a basic principle of justice that an order may not be made against someone in a civil case without notice and opportunity to be heard.

This is all on appeal. The wife has peddled baseless conspiracy theories. Her attorney has extracted millions of dollars in fees and has accomplished nothing, The attorney just filed a request for $10 million more in fees.

Sridhar has acted honorably throughout the proceedings. Sridhar did not abandon his wife. He has paid millions of dollars to his wife and her counsel during the case, and transferred the family residence to his wife outright without receiving payment for his one-half of the residence.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Thank you @DeepikaBhardwaj for bringing light to this story. I can provide more background for those who have any question whether Sridhar Vembu has done anything wrong

Sridhar owns 5% of the shares of Zoho Corporation Private Limited (ZCPL). He offered last year to transfer 50% of his shares to his wife, unconditionally. That proposal remains open, but she will not accept the stock. Instead, she claims Sridhar owns 88% of the stock. Her allegation is completely false. Records back to 2011 show that Sridhar holds the same amount of shares today as he did then.

The wife’s assertion that Sridhar somehow secretly transferred his ownership in ZCPL to others to defraud her in the divorce is ridiculous. Sridhar is an honest person who has not cheated her. Moreover, he did not know in 2011 that there would be a divorce in 2021. It makes no sense that he was planning for a divorce in 2011 then wait 10 years.

ZCPL and its other owners have operated for the last 10 years on the true basis that Sridhar owns 5% of the stock. He cannot transfer more shares to his wife than he owns.

The order by the California court in January 2025 was made on an emergency application by the wife who asserted, without evidence, that Sridhar owned 88% of the stock. She asked for a bond in the United States for $1.7 billion to cover her supposed 1/2 interest of the 88% of the shares. The judge inexplicably made the order in violation of Shridhar’s rights to due process and over my strong objection. The order has no legal or factual basis, and is a complete departure from the California justice system.

The wife’s attorney told the reporter that the order is valid. That same attorney has made no effort to enforce the bond order in the past six months, which is a tacit acknowledgment the order is invalid. Sridhar has no ability to post a bond for $1.7 billion, which highlights the absurdity of the ruling.

The order appointing receiver has been completely stayed. No receiver took any action against Sridhar, ZCPL, or anyone else. There is no receiver in place.

To highlight the due process violation, the court
entered a receivership order against Tony Thomas at the January 2025 hearing, even though he had no notice of the hearing and was not present. It is a basic principle of justice that an order may not be made against someone in a civil case without notice and opportunity to be heard.

This is all on appeal. The wife has peddled baseless conspiracy theories. Her attorney has extracted millions of dollars in fees and has accomplished nothing, The attorney just filed a request for $10 million more in fees.

Sridhar has acted honorably throughout the proceedings. Sridhar did not abandon his wife. He has paid millions of dollars to his wife and her counsel during the case, and transferred the family residence to his wife outright without receiving payment for his one-half of the residence.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

So happy to be a returning guest on @NancyGrace to discuss BOMBSHELL! NICK REINER'S HIGH-PROFILE LAWYER JUMPS SHIP https://t.co/ddLamFvmaL

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

@subban23 @dsurie @dhanyarajendran @Indulekha_A Thank you.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

That’s a good question. Sridhar owns 5% of the shares of the parent company ZCPL. That is what the company records show and he offered to transfer one-half of those shares to his wife, unconditionally, without requiring her to waive any of her claims. But she has refused to take the stock. She claims that Sridhar transferred a greater interest in the company to others many years ago, but this is not true. She claims he owns over 80% of the company and she wants half of that, but he never owned that interest in the first place. Her case is built on a fantasy that he is the majority owner despite records showing the true ownership. Unfortunately she misled a judge into believing her claims might be true last year on an emergency application where we had no reasonable chance of countering the claims. That is old news and we will have a full trial on the issue eventually.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

I enjoyed being a guest on @NancyGrace to discuss how OJ SIMPSON avoided paying the victims of his crime. https://t.co/RmHFSjy0zv

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

“First comes love, then comes a prenup? What Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement could mean for their fortunes.” I discuss with ⁦@YahooEnt⁩ on how they can clarify what’s “yours, mine, and ours.” https://t.co/E2kQLY7oR2

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Examining the mixed verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial. I provided my input to @CBSNews on the verdict and whether Diddy could go home tonight. https://t.co/Hou5pQgWNT

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Jury reaches verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial on four counts but deadlocked on RICO charges. I discuss with @CBSNews that a guilty verdict appears likely on counts 2 to 5. https://t.co/iFVPUA8HPz

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez prenup might include ‘signing bonus’ or other terms to make it fair to each of them after billionaire's costly first divorce. These are tough negotiations. I discuss with
@Christina_Dugan of @FoxNews https://t.co/bREg9ebXvO #FoxNews

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Prosecution and defense rest in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial with Diddy calling no witnesses. I discuss with @CBSNews if that was the right decision. https://t.co/LoOMjNLQ48

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Recap of Sean "Diddy" Combs trial after 4 weeks of testimony - what charges might stick? I discuss with @errolbarnett of @CBSNews https://t.co/FaZZHBdJOJ

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Blake Lively drops emotional distress suit against Justin Baldoni in response to his demand for her therapy records. Judge says she cannot keep those secret while accusing Justin of causing significant emotional harm to her. I discussed live with @sunriseon7 in Australia.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

What did Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyers ask Cassie Ventura? I share my views on the case and the testimony so far with @CBSNews
https://t.co/Gyf1NGgvr4

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

“It Ends With Us” literally. The gloves are off with Justin Baldoni’s amended complaint against Blake Lively et al. I join @PerezHilton and @VinniePolitan on @CourtTV to discuss.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Alec Baldwin Rust trial: Is it OK to take someone’s word that a gun is unloaded and point it at someone? That’s the ultimate question jurors will have to decide. I discuss with Ashleigh Banfield on @NewsNation

https://t.co/XXfjRLVwGb

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

We all know someone who has been hurt or worse by a drunk driver. Taking responsibility might have been a better strategy than the “I only had one martini” defense.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Justin Timberlake’s defense will be challenging as he admitted to drinking alcohol before driving. The only question will be whether that was enough to impair him. I discuss with Good Morning America https://t.co/60YzMeRoVE via @GMA

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Diddy’s apology: “I went and I sought out professional help,” he said. “I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry.” He leaves out that he must have done all that over the weekend.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations” by Cassie Ventura. That’s what his rep told the media last year—before the tape was released showing him violently attacking Cassie.

[Christopher C. Melcher @CA_Divorce]

Diddy had the video for 8 years and vehemently denied the incident in Nov 2023. He has now expressed remorse. If he was in “therapy” in Nov 2023 then why did he deny hitting her? The apology is another lie.