A former women’s soccer coach has brought a defamation lawsuit against Weil, Gotshal & Manges; Covington & Burling; and some of the law firms’ partners, accusing them and others of defaming him in a December 2022 report on abuse, harassment and bullying toward players in the professional women’s league.

James Clarkson, former Houston Dash coach, filed the suit on Dec. 8 in Texas District Court for Harris County against the law firms, partners, the National Women’s Soccer League, and the NWSL Players Association. Clarkson is seeking over $1 million in monetary damages.