Tyrone Blackburn wants out as Terrance Dixon’s lawyer in the defamation battle involving Fat Joe, but he is not leaving the lawsuit behind.
The attorney filed a motion on Tuesday asking a federal judge to let him withdraw from representing Dixon because of a “non-waivable conflict of interest that has arisen.” Blackburn also cited “considerations of the personal safety and well-being of undersigned counsel,” and he and his law firm are defendants in the case and plan to continue acting as their own attorneys.
Fat Joe, born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, filed the defamation lawsuit against Dixon and Blackburn in April 2025. Dixon responded with a $20 million countersuit. Fat Joe has denied Dixon’s allegations.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis previously sanctioned Blackburn last month over comments made during Dixon’s February deposition. Willis described his “homophobic, transphobic, and sexualized comments” to opposing counsel as behavior that “shock[ed] the conscience.”
Among the remarks cited by the judge was Blackburn’s question, “What date is your transition surgery?” During another exchange, Dixon reportedly said, “I could take you down with my left hand.” Blackburn allegedly added, “Everybody could take you down” and “Very easily.”
Blackburn argued that medication contributed to his behavior, but Willis wrote that his medical records did not support that explanation.
Fat Joe’s legal team has also accused Blackburn of using AI-generated citations in a court filing. The rapper’s attorneys called for sanctions, alleging he had fabricated or misrepresented legal authority.