The Downs Law Group Stands Firm in a $100M Lawsuit against Williams Formula One

In a groundbreaking case that has garnered significant attention from major publications including The Daily Business Review and The Times UK, The Downs Law Group is at the forefront of a fight for justice. Our commercial litigation group, led by Jeremy D. Friedman, Paul A. Hankin, and Craig T. Downs, represents Claudia Schwarz, a former chief marketing officer for Williams Formula One.

Schwarz’s journey to the top in a male-dominated industry like F1 racing is commendable. Yet, her career and reputation faced severe setbacks due to alleged false claims by her former company and its owner. Not only is Schwarz accusing Williams F1 and its hedge fund owner, Dorilton Capital Management LLC, of refusing to honor her contract, but she also claims they crafted a defamatory narrative suggesting she had a romantic liaison with a board member to fraudulently acquire company funds. These allegations were further propagated in a story in Business F1 Magazine, which allegedly labeled Schwarz as a “vixen”.

For two years from early 2021, Schwarz led the marketing department of Williams F1, earning accolades, including the “Global Award for the Best Campaign in the Motorsport Industry.” Despite her successes, Williams F1 unexpectedly terminated her three-year contract in March, citing budget cuts. The subsequent sequence of events, as outlined in the lawsuit, paints a disturbing picture: false claims of Schwarz overbilling the company by nearly $7 million, threats of legal action, and a potential smear campaign involving the magazine.

Schwarz’s case doesn’t stand alone. Jeremy Friedman, one of our leading attorneys, accuses Business F1 Magazine of unauthorized use of his image, bolstering the claim of a coordinated attempt to discredit Schwarz and her team.

The Downs Law Group is unwavering in its commitment to unveil the truth and ensure justice prevails. As the case unfolds, we are determined to advocate for the rights and reputation of our clients, especially when up against formidable opponents.

Read more on this story in the news: The Times UK, Sports Illustrated, Daily Business Review, BVM Sports, GrandPrix 247, PlanetF1, and more.

About The Downs Law Group

The Downs Law Group is an experienced boutique law firm focused in personal injury, commercial litigation, mass torts, class actions, and environmental toxic torts. Our team of attorneys has served clients for more than 34 years. We handle cases around Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Duval County, and the Florida panhandle, as well as Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and throughout the Gulf Coast. The firm has extensive experience handling complex commercial cases involving breach of contract, fraudulent transfer claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, employment law, commercial real estate litigation, tax controversy, and more.