Fat Joe Defamation Case: Attorney Tyrone Blackburn Seeks to Withdraw Amid New Conflicts

Attorney Tyrone Blackburn is trying to step away from that ongoing defamation lawsuit involving Fat Joe .

Full story below.

The controversial lawyer has reportedly filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for Terrance Dixon in the case against Joe (born Joseph Antonio Cartagena).

As previously reported, Dixon sent shockwaves through the music industry when he alleged the ‘Lean Back’ rapper forced him to engage in “coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion.” The allegations seemingly came in response to Joe suing for defamation of character.

In a filing submitted Tuesday (July 7), Blackburn cited a “non-waivable conflict of interest that has arisen.” He also noted “considerations of the personal safety and well-being of undersigned counsel.”

Although he wants to stop representing Dixon, Blackburn and his law firm will remain defendants in the lawsuit and plan to continue representing themselves.

The request follows several recent legal setbacks.

Last month, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis sanctioned Blackburn over his conduct during a February deposition. The judge ruled that his “homophobic, transphobic, and sexualized comments” toward opposing counsel “shock[ed] the conscience.”

Judge Willis rejected Blackburn’s explanation that medication contributed to his behaviour. She wrote:

“The medical record does not support Blackburn’s assertion that his unconscionable behaviour at the February 24th deposition was due to medication he was taking.”

Fat Joe’s lawyers previously called for sanctions. They wrote:

“It is time, once and for all, for Blackburn to be sanctioned for his flagrant disregard of his duties and responsibilities to the court.”

The lawsuit began after Fat Joe sued Dixon and Blackburn in April 2025 over alleged defamation. Dixon filed a $20 million countersuit, which Joe has denied.