Ware Jackson defeats Facebook’s attempt to convince Houston court to dismiss civil claims regarding human trafficking of minors
In a case involving allegations that Facebook and others facilitated sex trafficking of minors, Ware Jackson partners Tim Lee, Margaret Bryant, and Michelle Meriam defeated Facebook’s motions to dismiss three cases filed in two different Texas district courts. Facebook argued that a federal statute preempts the plaintiffs’ state-law claims against internet service providers. The courts’ orders denying the motions and permitting the cases to proceed are believed to be the first of their kind under 2018 amendments to the federal statute, which has paved the way for victims of human trafficking to obtain relief against third-party online facilitators. Ware Jackson represents these clients as appellate counsel. Trial counsel for the plaintiff victims include Annie McAdams, David Harris, and Mike Gallagher.