In a blow to Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft right before trial, a Manhattan judge has ruled that the law firm cannot present expert witnesses to defend against a legal malpractice claim.

The ruling comes in the long-running malpractice case brought by Red Zone, an investment vehicle run by Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, against Cadwalader related to the advice it gave on an investment bank’s fee during a proxy fight at Six Flags Inc. Red Zone is seeking more than $22 million in damages, including interest, against Cadwalader, represented by Cravath Swaine & Moore.