Holland & Knight Achieves Victory for Client Bunim/Murray Productions, Producers of MTV’s The Real World

MIAMI  – Holland & Knight litigation lawyers Sandy Bohrer and Scott Ponce achieved a significant victory today in Key West, Fla., for client Bunim/Murray Productions, the Los Angeles-based production company for MTV’s The Real World documentary television program. Bunim/Murray is currently taping the 17th season of The Real World in Key West.

Local Key West businessman Ed Swift, who owns the home next to the house being rented by Bunim/Murray Productions for the taping of the documentary, sued Bunim/Murray to stop production of the show in his neighborhood. Swift complained of noise and lights at the  production site and of congregating tourists. Ironically, Swift owns and operates Historic Tours of America® in Key West, about which residents have long complained that his Conch Tour Train and Trolley have invaded the peace and quiet of their neighborhoods with tourists and noise in the form of bells, whistles and a sight-seeing spiel broadcast over the touring vehicles’ loudspeakers.

Monroe Circuit Judge Mark Jones found in favor of the defendant, Bunim/Murray Productions. “Our client did not violate any laws or rights and, in fact, has acted as a good neighbor throughout the taping of the documentary,” said Sandy Bohrer, a partner in Holland & Knight’s Miami office and lead counsel for Bunim/Murray. “The judge’s ruling reflects this.”