For anyone who’s followed the NFL since 2021, Tony Buzbee is a name that commands attention. He initially gained notoriety as the attorney representing the first plaintiff in a series of lawsuits against former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, encompassing over 20 allegations of misconduct.

Buzbee recently grabbed headlines again after settling a lawsuit on behalf of a woman who accused Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe of sexual assault. In response to the lawsuit, Sharpe lashed out at Buzbee, alleging that he specifically targets Black men.

Buzbee's Strong Response

In a candid interview with Esquire, Buzbee addressed Sharpe's accusations head-on, stating, "I didn’t wake up one morning and say, ‘I want to sue Shannon Sharpe.’ He has no relevance in my life." He went on to express that while he finds Sharpe entertaining in his sports commentary, his focus is solely on pursuing legitimate cases.

The Business of Law

Buzbee's legal practice thrives on a contingency fee model, where he earns about 40% of any settlement achieved for his clients. This system incentivizes attorneys to select strong, unfortunate cases rather than go after weak ones.

He explained that the worth of a case is determined by factors such as the clarity of liability, potential damages, and the likelihood of collecting a settlement. In Sharpe's case, it's noteworthy that offers to settle reached upwards of $10 million even before the lawsuit was formally filed.

Given that the case was settled without Sharpe even responding, it's likely Buzbee earned a substantial fee—estimated to be at least $4 million.

Targeting or Just Good Business?

Buzbee sharply rebutted allegations of targeting any demographic, quipping that "a bunch of old white men could say I’m targeting them," referring to larger corporations like BP that he has sued successfully in the past.

His success rate has made him a go-to attorney for anyone with valid claims against NFL players. Without his involvement in the Watson cases, it’s possible that the plaintiff in Sharpe’s case wouldn’t have even known Buzbee’s name.

Litigation Learning Curve

However, not every case leads to victory. Buzbee has faced challenges before; a misstep in a case involving Jay-Z led to the plaintiff admitting inconsistencies in her allegations, resulting in the case being dismissed.

Interestingly, the Esquire profile mentioned that Buzbee withdrew from this case due to not being licensed in that jurisdiction, which raised eyebrows regarding the accuracy of the legal reporting. Lawyers frequently seek temporary admission in other areas for specific cases, a process known as pro hac vice.

The Verdict on Targeting

Buzbee’s approach to law is fundamentally about pursuing cases that offer potential for significant damages against well-resourced defendants. Personal attributes of defendants, including race, are irrelevant; what matters is whether their actions caused real, significant harm.

In the world of contingency fee litigation, strong cases are the name of the game—something Buzbee knows all too well.