Tossed Suit, Big Bills: Buzbee Targets Jay-Z’s Lawyers for Major Fees
Here’s the real tea: Tony Buzbee is quietly celebrating after a California judge threw out Jay-Z’s extortion-and-defamation lawsuit, and now he’s planning to chase HOV’s legal team for “a lot” of cash. Buzbee tells TMZ the dismissal came “in a lengthy, well-reasoned opinion,” clearing the path for him to demand attorneys’ fees for defending what he calls a meritless case.
In the original clash, Jay-Z sued Buzbee last year, accusing him of extortion and defamation. That move followed Buzbee’s own explosive lawsuit alleging Jay-Z and Diddy raped a then-13-year-old girl—a claim that has faced serious legal and public scrutiny. On Monday, a California superior court judge dismissed Jay-Z’s counterclaim, and Buzbee says he’s unapologetically gearing up to hold Jay-Z’s counsel on the hook for substantial costs.
Buzbee, known for high-stakes litigation, emphasized to TMZ his track record: “We have a long history of winning. We won’t be deterred in our important work.” He didn’t specify an exact figure but promised it would be “a lot” — suggesting a seven-figure bill could be on the horizon. His team has already started tallying hours and drafting motions to recoup legal expenses under California’s fee-shifting statutes.
Alex Spiro, the high-profile attorney representing Jay-Z, reacted swiftly. In a statement obtained by Rolling Stone, Spiro said, “We are surprised and disappointed by this ruling which turns on the misapplication of California law on the admissibility of the investigators’ statements.” He confirmed an appeal is likely, as the decision arguably hinges on nuanced evidentiary rules. Spiro’s firm has signaled readiness to take the matter to the state’s appellate courts.
Industry observers note this countersuit for fees isn’t uncommon when a case is tossed as lacking merit. Still, few celebrity battles escalate so dramatically post-dismissal. Legal analyst Jane Finkel of Law360 observes that fee requests can deter future suits but also risk prolonging litigation. If Buzbee succeeds, Jay-Z’s camp could pack another layer onto a legal saga already full of dramatic twists.
Meanwhile, public opinion is split. Social feeds on X and Instagram debate whether Buzbee’s maneuvers are a bold assertion of justice or an overreach. Some fans praise his relentless approach, while others worry about the optics of a fee-heavy legal barrage. Either way, the headlines aren’t fading anytime soon.
Anyway, that’s the gist of it: Buzbee’s got the dismissal in hand and an eye on Jay-Z’s wallet. Expect an appeal, a possible fee motion, and more back-and-forth before this one cools off. Don’t say I didn’t flag it when this next court date pops up.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ.com, California Superior Court Filings, Rolling Stone, Law360
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
