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Posted: Thurs., Sep. 11, 1997

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Walt Disney Co. has asked a judge to disqualify the entire legal team representing Jeffrey Katzenberg in his $250 million breach-of-contract suit --- a move that could delay the trial and make it much more expensive.

Reps for Disney and Katzenberg declined to comment on the reasons for the request, citing Disney's decision to seal the motion. A hearing is scheduled Friday in Los Angeles to determine if the courtroom should be closed to the media while the judge hears arguments on the motion.

Sources said Disney is objecting to Helene Hahn, a former studio attorney for Disney who is now on Katzenberg's legal team. Hahn works for Katzenberg's new company DreamWorks SKG.

Katzenberg left Disney in 1994 after chairman Michael Eisner decided not to promote him to president. He is seeking $250 million, based on his claim that he should be entitled to a portion of the studio's profits from blockbusters such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King."

Disney has repeatedly denied Katzenberg's claim, saying he relinquished his rights to share in the profits of those films when he opted out of his contract early.