Judge Dismisses ‘Jay-Z Paternity Lawsuit’ With Prejudice
*Jay-Z has officially put a long-running legal battle behind him. A federal judge in California dismissed the latest paternity lawsuit filed against him, calling it a meritless case under the state’s anti-SLAPP law. The dismissal was with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled.
The lawsuit came from Lillie Coley, the legal guardian of Rymir Satterthwaite, who has claimed for years that Jay-Z is his father. But the courts have never found any basis for the claims. Previous cases were thrown out before DNA testing could take place.
Court Orders Coley to Pay Jay-Z $119K in Legal Fees
On January 13, 2026, Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett denied a motion to reconsider the case. She also ordered Lillie Coley to pay $119,235.45 in attorney’s fees to Jay-Z. That amount is often reported as $119K or $120K in headlines.
Jay-Z’s legal team argued that the case was part of a “prolonged harassment campaign.” The judge agreed, siding with the rap mogul and putting an end to the legal back-and-forth. The ruling closes the door on any further court filings in this matter.
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‘Jay-Z Paternity Lawsuit’ Tied to 1990s Allegations
The case centered around claims from Rymir Satterthwaite, who alleged that Jay-Z fathered him during a 1992-1993 affair with his late mother, Wanda. No court has ever compelled Jay-Z to take a paternity test.
Despite multiple attempts over more than 10 years, none of the lawsuits moved forward due to procedural issues. Jay-Z has denied the allegations, and courts have consistently ruled in his favor.
Anti-SLAPP Law Used to Dismiss the Case
The judge cited California’s anti-SLAPP law to throw out the lawsuit. This law protects public figures and others from being targeted by baseless lawsuits meant to silence or harass them. It’s commonly used in celebrity cases.
In this instance, the court ruled that the suit had no merit and violated Jay-Z’s rights under the law. That led to the dismissal and the order for Coley to pay his legal costs.
Satterthwaite Previously Dropped His Own Lawsuit
Rymir Satterthwaite himself filed and later dropped his own paternity case in 2025. He voluntarily withdrew the suit with prejudice, which means he can’t bring it back to court. That move protected him from also having to pay Jay-Z’s legal fees.
Coley’s decision to continue the fight ended differently. Her claims were dismissed, and she was hit with a six-figure judgment to cover Jay-Z’s legal expenses.
Jay-Z Has Never Been Ordered to Take a Paternity Test
One of the key details in the ‘Jay-Z paternity lawsuit’ saga is that no court has ever ordered him to take a DNA test. Every case filed has ended before reaching that point.
This fact has been used by Jay-Z’s team to argue that the lawsuits were simply meant to harass him. With this latest ruling, the court agreed and put the matter to rest.
Why the ‘Jay-Z Paternity Lawsuit’ Saga Matters
This ruling sets an example for how courts may handle future high-profile cases involving celebrities. The use of anti-SLAPP laws helps prevent famous people from being dragged into court over claims with no solid proof.
For Jay-Z, it’s a major win that clears his name legally. It also stops a decade-long legal dispute that has been in and out of headlines for years.
Jay-Z’s Legal Team Celebrates Court Victory
Jay-Z’s attorneys said the ruling shows the importance of standing up against false claims. They called the decision a full legal victory for the music icon, who has stayed quiet publicly about the paternity rumors.
With this latest decision, Jay-Z avoids further court appearances and walks away with a six-figure judgment in his favor.
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