Jay-Z’s Defamation Case Against Lawyer Tony Buzbee Advances to Trial

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled that music mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s defamation lawsuit against high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee has enough merit to proceed to trial. However, the judge signaled that a separate extortion claim against Buzbee is unlikely to stand.

The ruling, issued by Judge Mark H. Epstein, marks a critical moment in the legal battle that began after Jay-Z was publicly named in a now-dismissed sexual assault lawsuit. The judge’s decision suggests that Buzbee’s conduct—particularly his public statements and social media activity—could be deemed defamatory, creating a legal question that warrants a trial.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 26, where the judge is expected to formally rule on the extortion claim.

The Origins of the Legal Dispute

The case stems from a December 2024 lawsuit in which a woman, identified as Jane Doe, accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000, when she was 13 years old. The allegations were shocking and immediately met with fierce denials from Jay-Z, who described them as “fictitious” and “appalling.”

Jay-Z initially filed his lawsuit against Buzbee anonymously in November 2024, alleging that the Texas-based attorney attempted to extort him while representing alleged victims of Combs. However, when Buzbee amended Jane Doe’s lawsuit on December 8, 2024, publicly naming Jay-Z as an accused party, the music mogul stepped forward to fight back.

The case took a dramatic turn on February 14, 2025, when Jane Doe voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit with prejudice, effectively preventing her from refiling it in the future. In a public statement, she admitted to inconsistencies in her claims. Jay-Z responded by celebrating the dismissal, stating, “The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed.”

However, while the rape allegations were dropped, the legal battle between Jay-Z and Buzbee continued.

Judge Finds Basis for Defamation Case

Judge Epstein’s ruling was largely influenced by Buzbee’s conduct outside the courtroom—particularly his public comments and social media activity. The judge noted that Buzbee referred to the accuser as a “sexual assault survivor” in a post, despite the allegations against Jay-Z lacking substantiation.

Additionally, Buzbee “liked” a social media post implying that Jay-Z was the unnamed defendant in a related lawsuit before the rapper had been publicly named. These actions, the judge suggested, could be interpreted as reckless and malicious, meeting the legal threshold for defamation.

“The conduct alleged raises serious questions about whether Buzbee acted with actual malice, a key component in defamation cases involving public figures,” the judge noted in his ruling.

With this ruling, Jay-Z’s defamation claim is set to move forward, potentially bringing Buzbee to trial.

Extortion Claim Faces Dismissal

While the defamation case will proceed, Judge Epstein indicated that Jay-Z’s extortion claim against Buzbee is unlikely to hold up in court.

Jay-Z had alleged that Buzbee attempted to pressure him into a settlement by threatening to file a lawsuit filled with fabricated allegations. However, the judge suggested that Buzbee’s settlement demands did not meet the strict legal definition of extortion, which generally requires a wrongful threat of harm beyond merely filing a lawsuit.

The judge is expected to issue a final ruling on this aspect of the case at the upcoming March 26 hearing. If the extortion claim is dismissed, the case will proceed solely on the defamation grounds.

Legal and Public Implications

This case is unfolding against the backdrop of multiple legal battles involving high-profile music and entertainment figures. The accusations against Jay-Z were just one of several lawsuits filed in the wake of renewed scrutiny on Combs and his associates.

While the dismissal of the original rape allegations cleared Jay-Z’s name legally, the defamation trial will determine whether Buzbee’s actions caused reputational damage significant enough to warrant financial or legal repercussions.

If Jay-Z prevails, it could set a precedent for how attorneys can be held accountable for public statements made during high-profile litigation. Conversely, if Buzbee successfully defends himself, it may reinforce the broad protections attorneys have when representing clients in contentious legal battles.

What Comes Next?

All eyes will be on the March 26 hearing, where Judge Epstein is expected to finalize the ruling on the extortion claim. If it is dismissed as expected, the case will move forward on defamation alone, setting the stage for what could be a closely watched legal battle between a music icon and a high-profile attorney.

For now, Jay-Z remains focused on clearing his name and holding those he believes acted recklessly accountable. Meanwhile, Buzbee has yet to publicly respond to the judge’s latest ruling.

This case is far from over, and its outcome could have far-reaching consequences for both the legal and entertainment industries.