kathy ireland Worldwide Breaks Silence on Lawsuit filed by Kathy Ireland

Company addresses legal dispute with Ireland family

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:38pm

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kathy ireland Worldwide, the brand licensing company founded by model and entrepreneur Kathy Ireland, has released a statement addressing a lawsuit filed by Ireland against the company and its shareholders. The statement, made by Brittany Duncan, the Chair and CEO of kathy ireland Worldwide, says the dispute has been subject to a private legal process for over 18 months and the shareholders have acted with discretion out of respect for the brand. The company says it will address the matters in court rather than through the media.

Why it matters

This legal dispute between Kathy Ireland and the company that bears her name highlights the complexities that can arise when a celebrity lends their name to a brand. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of the kathy ireland Worldwide business and brand.

The details

According to the statement, the lawsuit filed by Kathy Ireland against the company and its shareholders has been in a private legal process for over 18 months. The company says the shareholders have acted with discretion during this time out of respect for the brand and business they built together. The statement clarifies that the shareholders did not serve as business managers for the Ireland family, and all parties recognize the relationship has reached a point where separation is appropriate. kathy ireland Worldwide says it will address the matters in court rather than through the media.

  • The legal dispute has been ongoing for more than 18 months.

The players

Brittany Duncan

Chair and Chief Executive Officer of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Nic Mendoza

Chief Operating Officer of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Zulma Ponce

Chief Financial Officer of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Mitchell Sternard

Secretary Treasurer of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Kathy Ireland

Model and entrepreneur who founded the kathy ireland Worldwide brand.

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What they’re saying

“The claims involving Kathy Ireland have been the subject of a private legal process for more than 18 months, one to which all parties agreed. During this time, the shareholders acted with discretion out of respect for the brand and business we built together.”

— Brittany Duncan, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of kathy ireland Worldwide

“At no time did the shareholders serve as business managers for the Ireland family. All parties recognize the relationship has reached a point where separation is appropriate, and that process must be resolved through proper legal channels.”

— Brittany Duncan, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of kathy ireland Worldwide

“We will address these matters in court rather than through the media and remain committed to resolving them through the appropriate judicial process.”

— Brittany Duncan, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of kathy ireland Worldwide

What’s next

The judge will need to rule on the lawsuit filed by Kathy Ireland against kathy ireland Worldwide and its shareholders.

The takeaway

This legal dispute highlights the challenges that can arise when a celebrity's name is tied to a brand, and the importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities to avoid such conflicts in the future.