*Tony Buzbee, a prominent attorney known for representing over 20 plaintiffs against NFL star Deshaun Watson, recently addressed accusations from Shannon Sharpe that he “targets Black men.”
In an Esquire profile, Buzbee dismissed the claim, stating, “I didn’t wake up one morning and say, ‘I want to sue Shannon Sharpe.’ He has no relevance in my life.”
As NBC News reports, he emphasized that his decision to pursue cases, like the one settled for a woman alleging sexual assault by Sharpe, hinges on their legitimacy. “But if I think it’s a legitimate case, then I pursue it. And I think this is worth my time,” he added.
Buzbee’s legal approach relies on contingency fees, earning him about 40 percent of client recoveries. This model incentivizes taking strong cases based on clear liability, significant damages, and collectability, as seen in his $500 million haul for over 10,000 clients against BP after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
“I guess a bunch of old white men could say I’m targeting them, and a bunch of multinational corporations could say I’m targeting them as well,” he remarked, underscoring that his targets are determined by case strength, not race.
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The Sharpe case, settled after a $10 million offer, likely netted Buzbee at least $4 million in fees, reinforcing his strategy of pursuing viable claims. His high-profile Watson cases elevated his reputation, making him a go-to lawyer for NFL-related lawsuits. However, not all cases succeed. Buzbee withdrew from a case against Jay-Z after the plaintiff’s allegations of rape at 13 showed inconsistencies, leading to dismissal without settlement.
Buzbee clarified a misunderstanding in the Esquire profile about his withdrawal from the Jay-Z case, noting he wasn’t barred from practicing in New York but rather used pro hac vice admission, as he did in Sharpe’s Nevada case with local attorney Micah D. Nash. He’s now facing a $190 million lawsuit from the hip-hop star.
