Viral social media stars Farshad Dehbozorgi, known as E5QUIRE, and comedian Adam Waheed, better known as Adam W, are pulling back the curtain on the high-stakes legal side of internet fame — and they’re the first to admit it’s not all laughs and likes.
In a recent paparazzi interview posted by Raav, the two influencers opened up about the legal realities that come with having millions of eyes on their every move.
“Anybody that has a reputation or is in the limelight, it’s different,” Farshad, who is the Hollywood legal muscle behind Adam W and other social media A-listers, said. “Higher liability, higher risk. You’ve got to be sharper, more protective, it’s a different ball game.”
Farshad, who juggles careers as both an international DJ and an entertainment lawyer, knows the pressure firsthand. The son of Iranian immigrants, went from vacuuming cars at his father’s car wash at 13, to reselling refurbished phones at school, to spinning tracks in some of Hollywood’s hottest clubs, all before earning his law degree from Pepperdine University.
But it’s his work behind the scenes that’s making waves now.
As E5QUIRE, he has worked with major NBA stars like Kenneth Faried and Klay Thompson on off-court deals, while also helping social media heavyweights like Adam W navigate endorsement contracts, brand partnerships, and content licensing.
“Honestly, it’s kind of funny,” Adam W joked during the interview, referring to seeing himself featured in Forbes. “My mom saw it, it was almost like a bucket list moment.”
With over 3 million followers of his own, Farshad isn’t just the lawyer behind the stars; he’s become one of them.
But he is also quick to stress the legal weight fame carries, noting that public figures can’t afford missteps that might seem minor to others.
“I treat everyone like a celebrity,” Farshad said, smiling, “but when you’re actually in the public eye, the stakes are just higher.”
Farshad is currently the CEO of E5quire Law, which represents some of Hollywood’s top talent.
Meanwhile, Adam W continues to expand his reach with viral skits and brand collaborations.
For Farshad, it all comes back to pushing limits. “I don’t think I need to pick a lane,” he said. “Doing it all, that’s what makes me happy.”
