MJ And John Branca

During an interview with the Associated Press, entertainment attorney, John Branca spoke about his relationship with Michael Jackson and handling the late superstar's estate.

Branca says that about a week after Jackson died, he was summoned to meet with the singer's family. He carried with him the

King of Pop's will and answers to the family's many questions. Branca recalled,

"It was very difficult. There were a lot of family members there, his sisters and most of the brothers and his mother, Katherine."

Branca says that when he told them the particulars of the will - that Katherine would be guardian of Michael's three children and receive 40 percent of the estate in trust; that the children would also receive 40 percent and that the remaining 20 percent would go to unspecified charities to benefit children - their reactions seemed to bode very well for the coming days.

"Actually, they applauded three times when they were told who got the property. They were thrilled."

Branca, who is one of the two special administrators of Jackson's estate that were named in that same will, says that the family's reaction that day is one of the reasons why he was so surprised by the opposition that followed from lawyers representing Katherine Jackson.

Mrs. Jackson's legal team has been insisting that she be given "a seat at the table" in making deals for the estate. They are also considering a formal challenge to the status of the special administrators, even suggesting that conflict of interests and other factors may somehow compromise the qualifications of Branca and co-executor John McClain.

Both men have a long history with the Jackson family. Branca was Michael Jackson's lawyer for more than 20 years. During that time with Jackson, Branca was a principal architect of Jackson's financial empire. He brokered the deal for the ATV catalog of records; obtained the rights to the master recordings of Jackson's own songs; and even negotiated the purchase of Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch.

McClain, who is a childhood friend of Jackson's, is largly responsable for building a major recording career for Michael's sister Janet, and is a successful record company executive.

Despite the conflict in the courtroom, Branca insists on downplaying any conflict with the Jackson family, saying, "Everything is going to be fine."

Branca and McClain have already won court approval for deals that will bring the Jackson estate over $60 million. However, two multimillion-dollar deals for Jackson merchandise have been stalled because of objections from Katherine Jackson's legal team. Branca says,

"We're approaching the $100 million mark if those two deals in front of the court are approved. That's pretty remarkable — in six weeks as executors, to have brought $100 million into the estate."

Branca's involvement with Jackson began in 1980 when he was asked to meet with the young superstar. He says that they bonded immediately.

"Michael was either 21 or about to turn 21 when I met him and he had never had his own (legal) team. 'Off The Wall' had come out and it was a big hit."

"He said, 'Do I know you?' It was one of those things you have in life where you feel so comfortable with a person you actually feel you do know them. The conversation is easy and the connection is effortless."

Branca, 58, says that he met Jackson's parents briefly and remembers Katherine Jackson saying, "Michael, I don't know if he's old enough to be a lawyer."

Indeed, they were both in their 20s at the time and they were about to make music history together.

Branca guided Jackson through the phenomenal success of the "Thriller" album in 1982 and negotiated the groundbreaking "Thriller" video — as well as a video about the making of the video. And contrary to other versions of the story, Branca says that it was Michael's idea to buy the Beatles catalog after Paul McCartney told Jackson he was investing in buying copyrights to famous songs.

"Michael called me up and he said, 'Branca, I want to buy copyrights.' I said, 'Great.'" He bought copyrights to such songs as "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer," and the work of Sly and the Family Stone.

"And then came the mother lode. I found out ATV was for sale and I told Michael. He asked what that was. I said, 'You're not going to believe it: 250 Beatles songs, the Little Richard catalog.' He started screaming on the phone. I actually have a great note he wrote me. It said: 'Branca, the catalog is mine. Don't lose it by over-negotiating.' I framed that note."

Branca says that before they bid, he checked with Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono and with McCartney's lawyer and brother-in-law John Eastman to see if they were interested.

They were not. So, after a year of bidding against others, they finally closed the deal. And in 1995, it was Branca who merged it with Sony to create one of the largest such collections in the world.

Branca helped turn Michael Jackson from a rich pop star into a man of extreme wealth. But he says life with Jackson wasn't all about money. They were also friends. The two would travel to Disney World together and often socialize at Branca's home. Jackson was the best man at Branca's first wedding, bringing with him his pet chimp Bubbles, who was clad in a tiny tuxedo. Little Richard was the minister.

"His personality was just infectious."

It was also Branca who re-introduced Jackson to Lisa-Marie Presley. The two first met as children. Branca says he treasures a portrait of the two after their marriage, which is inscribed in Michael's handwriting and signed by the couple. It reads: "John: To the greatest lawyer of our time."

Branca says that in 1990, Jackson tearfully told him that he wanted to try different representation. The two were appart for only three years with Branca returning in 1993. But by 2006, Branca and Jackson's relationship was troubled as the singer was listening to an increasingly odd set of advisers — a revolving door of characters who Branca feared did not have Jackson's best interests at heart.

"He was surrounded and I had to resign. He did not ask me to stay. I resigned amicably."

But then, about a month before Jackson died, Branca got a phone call from Jackson's manager, Frank Delio. "Michael wants you to come back. He wants you to give some thought to what you can do for him, what kind of deals," Delio said.

So Branca drafted an agenda and met with Jackson on June 17 at the Forum in Los Angeles, where the King of Pop was rehearsing for his London gigs.

"I hadn't seen him in several years. We hugged each other. He said, 'John, you're back.' It was very emotional. I showed him the agenda."

Branca says the agenda was exactly what Jackson had wanted - including a concert movie, books and merchandising deals.

"That agenda is exactly what John McClain and I are doing now for the estate."

Source: MJFC / sfgate.com / AP