63.7 F
Los Angeles
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Lawyers- WILLIAM BRIGGS, II

William Briggs, II

Partner, Litigation

Venable LLP

William Briggs has handled a number of high-profile matters within the entertainment industry over the last year. Most notably, in a groundbreaking ruling, a California Appellate Court affirmed the decision of a trial court to dismiss a lawsuit against actor and comedian Marlon Wayans alleging harassment and discrimination over a tweet comparing a movie extra to a cartoon character. In a 50-page opinion, the court examined the intersection between racial harassment and speech, and ruled on whether the word “nigga” is a racial epithet when spoken by a black man to another black man. The court resoundingly ruled that the word was not an epithet but instead was a term of endearment in the context in which it was used. This case has significant implications for the entertainment industry, allowing greater freedom in the writers’ room and on set.

Return to Index

Featured Articles

Related Articles

Author