CBS Files Motion to Dismiss Matlock Discrimination Suit
CBS Files Motion to Dismiss Matlock Discrimination Suit
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Key Points
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CBS’s anti-SLAPP filing was made in Los Angeles Superior Court and included multiple declarations disputing Lowe’s allegations against Jennie Snyder Urman, Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber.
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Lowe’s attorney Ron Zambrano said the complaint was drafted with the possibility of such a motion in mind, writing: “I am confident we will successfully oppose the motion.”
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CBS disputed the timing described in Lowe’s complaint, saying he worked on “Matlock” from October 2023 to July 2024 rather than in 2025, as the complaint stated.
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Lowe’s attorney Ron Zambrano previously accused CBS of allowing “blatant racism and harassment,” saying Lowe deserved to be treated with “dignity and respect” rather than being subjected to alleged racial slurs and sexual harassment unrelated to his work on the show.
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The lawsuit alleges that the comments about Lowe’s body and genitalia were directed not only at him but also at other Black cast and crew members, contributing to what he described as a hostile work environment.
CBS Studios has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from former
Lowe's attorney Ron Zambrano said the complaint was carefully drafted to survive such motions, stating:
Writer Claims Retaliation After Reporting Racial Slur
Lowe worked on the reboot from October 2023 to July 2024 as an executive story editor. He alleges that showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman used a racial slur when discussing Juneteenth, according to Yahoo News. After reporting this incident, Lowe says he was excluded from the writers' room entirely. He also claims producers and others made stereotyped comments about Black cast and crew members and directed sexually inappropriate remarks about his body at him.
CBS Disputes Allegations and Defends Producers
The studio called Lowe's accusations
CBS included multiple declarations from insiders disputing each claim. The studio defended showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber against all allegations, per Yahoo News. CBS also challenged the timeline in Lowe's complaint, noting his employment ended in July 2024, not 2025 as stated in the lawsuit.
Legal Battle Over Free Speech Protections
CBS filed an anti-SLAPP motion in Los Angeles Superior Court. This legal tool asks judges to dismiss cases that allegedly target protected free speech. The motion is meant to stop lawsuits early, before costly discovery and trial. Yahoo News reported that Lowe's attorney anticipated this defense strategy.
Zambrano countered that Lowe's complaint was drafted specifically to overcome anti-SLAPP challenges. He said he is
Hostile Work Environment Allegations Extend Beyond Lowe
Lowe's lawsuit claims inappropriate comments about his body and genitalia were not isolated to him alone. According to Yahoo News, the allegations describe a pattern targeting other Black cast and crew members as well. Lowe's attorney argued that the conduct created a broader hostile work environment unrelated to the show's creative process or his job performance.
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