Following Thursday's court decision to extend Jamie Spears' co-conservatorship over daughter Britney, the singer's supposed next lawyer claims Britney's civil rights are being violated.
During Thursday's hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz also granted Jamie Spears and the other co-conservator, Andrew Wallet, the power to handle the pop star's taxes. Her brother, Bryan, was named as trustee of her trust and given influence over her day-to-day expenses.
Lawyer Jon Eardley filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on behalf of Britney Spears on Thursday, claiming the current conservatorship is a "violation of [Spears'] civil rights."
The lawyer, with practices in Washington, D.C. and New York, also requested that the case be moved to Federal Court rather than the current California State Court.
"I see the case as a civil rights case," Eardley told People. "These are issues of confinement. Very serious confinement. Not allowed to contact her friends. Not allowed to use the phone. Not allowed to come and go as you please. Bodyguards controlling you and so forth."
However, an L.A. Superior Court spokesperson told E! News on Friday that the conservatorship agreement will continue to be handled in the local court, despite Eardley's request.
Legal insiders agree with the decision. "The saddest part [of Eardley's legal maneuvering] is it is all to [Britney's] detriment," a legal insider said. "The limited conservatorship puts in place medical care and protection of her assets that may be put at risk by the distraction and expense of having to get such an opportunistic and counterproductive action dismissed."
Also, the Superior Court found that Spears "lacks the capacity" to choose and retain her own counsel. Eardley said he has never met Spears, but that she selected him. "She reached out by phone. I have no idea how [she got my number]," he said.
Eardley also said he does not believe the singer's erratic behavior is dangerous to herself and others, and that he sees far worse situations on the streets.
"In downtown Los Angeles I'm surrounded by people talking to themselves and having fits on the street," Eardley added. "They are out in public. They are not being institutionalized."
