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Abigail Blaker
Abigail Blaker
Abbie Blaker is an Associate focused on litigation and dispute resolution matters.
Practice Areas
EXPERIENCE
Abbie counsels private equity firms, their portfolio companies and other enterprises across a wide range of industries on all aspects of complex disputes and controversies, including domestic and cross-border deal litigation, corporate governance disputes, securities and shareholder litigation, investigations, labor and employment disputes and other complex general commercial litigation.
Abbie prides herself on delivering creative, business-minded solutions to achieve the best results for her clients. She excels in matters that require detailed attention, tested experience and a high degree of sophistication and is experienced in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts around the country, as well as in domestic and international arbitration, including pre-filing investigation and case assessment, fact and expert discovery, legal research, motion practice, trial preparation, trial and appeals.
Prior to joining Massumi + Consoli, Abbie practiced at Carrington, Coleman, Sloman and Blumenthal.
EDUCATION
- Emory University School of Law, J.D., with Honors
- Michigan State University, B.A., with Highest Honors
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Texas
News & Insights
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02.26.26
Attorney-Client Privilege in AI Conversations: What Companies, Executives and Investors Need to Know
%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EBy%3C%2Fspan%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Fmichael-r-huttenlocher%2F%22%3EMichael+R.+Huttenlocher%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%2C%3C%2Fspan%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Flewis-zirogiannis-pc%2F%22%3ELewis+Zirogiannis%2C+P.C.%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%2C%3C%2Fspan%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Fyoav-gaffney%2F%22%3EYoav+Gaffney%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%2C%3C%2Fspan%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Fthomas-f-li%2F%22%3EThomas+F.+Li%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E+and%3C%2Fspan%3E+%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Fabigail-blaker%2F%22%3EAbigail+Blaker%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3ECompanies%2C+executives+and+investors+increasingly+rely+on+AI+tools+to+draft+correspondence%2C+summarize+key+materials%2C+support+decision-making+and+prepare+for+discussions+with+counsel.+While+using+AI+is+not+inherently+problematic%2C+the+scope+of+attorney-client+privilege+and+work+product+protections+for+AI-related+exchanges+remains+unsettled.+Two%C2%A0recent+decisions%E2%80%94%3Cem%3EUnited+States+v.+Heppner+%3C%2Fem%3E%28%E2%80%9C%3Cem%3EHeppner%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%9D%29+from+the+Southern+District+of+New+York+and+%3Cem%3EWarner+v.+Gilbarco%2C+Inc.+%3C%2Fem%3E%28%E2%80%9C%3Cem%3EGilbarco%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%9D%29%2C+from+the+Eastern+District+of+Michigan%E2%80%94illustrate+how+these+protections+may+apply+depending+on+different+circumstances.+Although+these+rulings+reached+different+outcomes%2C+they+underscore+the+same+practical+lesson%3A+using+AI+tools+in+legal+workflows+may+pose+risks+unless+specific+safeguards+are+in+place.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EBackground%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%3Cu%3EHeppner%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EAfter+learning+he+was+the+target+of+a+federal+criminal+investigation%2C+Bradley+Heppner+used+Anthropic%E2%80%99s+AI+platform+Claude+to+prepare+a+defense+for+his+potential+indictment+and+litigation.+Without+direction+from+his+attorneys%2C+Heppner+input+information+his+attorneys+had+shared+with+him+into+Claude+and+engaged+in+several+exchanges+with+the+tool%2C+generating+approximately+31+documents+outlining+potential+defense+strategies+and+Heppner%E2%80%99s+view+of+the+facts+and+law.+He+then+shared+Claude%E2%80%99s+outputs+with+his+defense+counsel.+When+the+FBI+seized+the+documents+during+Heppner%E2%80%99s+arrest%2C+his+counsel+asserted+attorney-client+privilege+and+work+product+protection+over+the+Claude+exchanges.+The+Government+moved+for+a+ruling+that+neither+protection+applied.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%3Cu%3EGilbarco%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EIn+an+employment+discrimination+case%2C+%3Cem%3Epro+se+%3C%2Fem%3Eplaintiff+Sohyon+Warner+used+OpenAI%E2%80%99s+ChatGPT+to+draft+filings+and+analyze+legal+questions.+The+defendants+moved+to+compel+production+of+all+AI-related+materials%2C+arguing+that+the+plaintiff+waived+work+product+protection+by+disclosing+the+materials+to+a+third-party+platform.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EThe+Court%E2%80%99s+Holdings%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%3Cu%3EHeppner%3A+%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cu%3ENo+Protection%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EOn+February+17%2C+2026%2C+Judge+Rakoff+held+that+Heppner%E2%80%99s+exchanges+with+Claude%E2%80%94a+publicly+available+AI+platform+that+permits+third-party+disclosure+of+user+inputs%E2%80%94were+not+protected+by+the+attorney-client+privilege+or+the+work+product+doctrine.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EThe+Court+rejected+Heppner%E2%80%99s+attorney-client+privilege+claim+on+multiple+grounds.+First%2C+Claude+is+not+an+attorney+and+discussions+of+legal+issues+between+non-attorneys+receive+no+protection.+Second%2C+Heppner%E2%80%99s+communications+with+Claude+were+not+confidential.+The+Court+emphasized+that+Anthropic%E2%80%99s+privacy+policy+explicitly+permits+the+company+to+collect+user+inputs+and+outputs%2C+use+that+data+for+AI+training+and+disclose+it+to+third+parties%2C+including+government+authorities%2C+thereby+removing+any+reasonable+expectation+of+confidentiality%2C+even+with+respect+to+information+Heppner+had+originally+received+from+counsel.+Third%2C+Heppner+did+not+communicate+with+Claude+to+obtain+legal+advice%3B+although+Heppner+later+forwarded+the+documents+to+his+counsel%2C+that+did+not+retroactively+protect+them+from+disclosure.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EThe+Court+also+rejected+Heppner%E2%80%99s+work+product+claim.+The+work+product+doctrine+protects+materials+prepared+by+or+at+the+direction+of+counsel+in+anticipation+of+litigation.+Here%2C+Heppner+prepared+the+AI+documents+of+his+own+volition%2C+and+although+Heppner+had+input+information+he+received+from+counsel%2C+the+documents+did+not+reflect+counsel%E2%80%99s+strategy+at+the+time+Heppner+generated+them.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%3Cu%3EGilbarco%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cu%3E%3A+Work+Product+Protection+Applies%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EOn+February+10%2C+2026%2C+Magistrate+Judge+Patti+held+that+Warner%E2%80%99s+exchanges+with+ChatGPT+were+protected+by+the+work+product+doctrine.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EThe+Court+explained+that+Warner%2C+who+was+self-represented%2C+was+using+ChatGPT+to+prepare+legal+filings+and+that+her+exchanges+reflected+her+legal+strategy.+Moreover%2C+disclosure+to+ChatGPT+had+not+waived+the+protection%3A+the+court+explained+that+work+product+protection+%26%238220%3Bis+waived+only+when+documents+are+used+in+a+manner+contrary+to+the+doctrine%26%238217%3Bs+purpose%2C%26%238221%3B+specifically+by+disclosure+%26%238220%3B%3Cem%3Eto+an+adversary%3C%2Fem%3E+or+in+a+way+likely+to+get+in+an+adversary%26%238217%3Bs+hand.%26%238221%3B+According+to+the+Court%2C+generative+AI+tools+%26%238220%3Bare+%3Cem%3Etools%2C+not+persons%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+even+if+they+may+have+administrators+somewhere+in+the+background%2C%26%238221%3B+and+regardless%2C+Warner%E2%80%99s+disclosure+to+ChatGPT+was+not+likely+to+result+in+disclosure+to+Gilbarco+in+ordinary+circumstances.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cu%3EReconciling+the+Two+Decisions%3C%2Fu%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EAlthough+the+two+cases+reach+different+outcomes%2C+they+are+not+necessarily+inconsistent.+The+%3Cem%3Epro+se+%3C%2Fem%3Efooting+in+%3Cem%3EGilbarco+%3C%2Fem%3Emeaningfully+shaped+the+analysis%3A+because+the+plaintiff+represented+herself%2C+her+AI+exchanges+reflected+her+own+mental+processes+and+case+strategy.+By+contrast%2C+the+%3Cem%3EHeppner+%3C%2Fem%3Ecourt+emphasized+that+Heppner%E2%80%99s+exchanges+did+%3Cu%3Enot%3C%2Fu%3E+reflect+his+counsel%E2%80%99s+strategy+and+the+AI+platform+Heppner+used+permitted+disclosure+to+the+government%E2%80%94Heppner%E2%80%99s+actual+adversary.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EImplications+for+Companies%2C+Executives%2C+and+Investors%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3ECompanies%2C+executives%2C+and+investors+increasingly+use+AI+to+support+core+workflows%2C+including+legal%3A+negotiating+agreements%2C+managing+compliance+matters%2C+assessing+potential+risks+and+liabilities%2C+responding+to+regulatory+inquiries+and+preparing+for+litigation.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EThese+decisions+carry+several+key+lessons.+First%2C+using+generative+AI+in+legal+workflows+should+be+limited+to+platforms+with+strong+confidentiality+protections%2C+typically+enterprise+deployments.+The+ruling+in+%3Cem%3EHeppner%3C%2Fem%3E%C2%A0is+limited+to+AI+platforms+whose+terms+permit+data+collection+and+third-party+disclosure%2C+including+government+authorities.+Second%2C+AI-generated+material+intended+for+use+in+litigation+should+be+prepared+at+counsel%E2%80%99s+direction.+Heppner%E2%80%99s+decision+to+act+independently+was+fatal+to+his+attorney-client+privilege+and+work+product+claims%3B+represented+parties+should+ensure+AI+use+occurs+within+the+attorney-client+relationship.+Third%2C+the+law+continues+to+evolve.+%3Cem%3EHeppner+%3C%2Fem%3Eattracted+significant+attention%2C+but+%3Cem%3EGilbarco+%3C%2Fem%3Eshows+courts+may+take+different+approaches+to+different+sets+of+facts.+Accordingly%2C+businesses+should+monitor+developments+and+consult+counsel+when+developing+AI+policies%E2%80%94and%2C+while+the+law+develops%2C+we+recommend+adopting+a+cautious+approach.+Consider+at+least+the+following+steps%3A%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EPractical+Steps+for+Companies%2C+Executives+and+Investors+for+Using+AI+in+Legal+Workflows%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Col%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EKeep+privileged+materials+out+of+AI+platforms.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Do+not+input+legal+documents+or+memos%2C+attorney+emails%2C+or+counsel%26%238217%3Bs+advice+into+non-enterprise+AI+platforms.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EUse+enterprise+AI+with+meaningful+protections.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Review+privacy+policies+for+data+sharing%2C+training+use+and+disclosure+to+authorities%2C+and+require+contractual+commitments+prohibiting+training+on+user+data+and+third-party+disclosure.+Merely+toggling+off+AI+training+options+is+helpful+but+may+not+be+adequate.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EUse+consumer-facing+AI+tools+sparingly.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Treat+non-enterprise+AI+as+a+third+party.+Anything+you+input+and+any+output+you+receive+may+be+produced+in+litigation+or+in+response+to+regulatory+inquiries.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EBan+AI+notetakers+from+privileged+meetings.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+Do+not+use+AI+transcription+on+calls+with+counsel+or+internal+discussions+of+legal+advice.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvolve+counsel+early.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+When+disputes%2C+investigations%2C+or+regulatory+matters+arise%2C+use+of+AI+should+only+be+at+counsel%26%238217%3Bs+direction%E2%80%94not+independently+undertaken%E2%80%94to+preserve+attorney-client+privilege+and+work+product+protection.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ETrain+broadly.%3C%2Fstrong%3E+AI+policies+should+reach+board+members%2C+executives+and+employees%2C+not+just+in-house+counsel.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Fol%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EConclusion%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EGenerative+AI+is+transforming+how+companies+and+investors+operate.+%3Cem%3EHeppner%3C%2Fem%3E+and+%3Cem%3EGilbarco+%3C%2Fem%3Edemonstrate+that+longstanding+legal+doctrines+continue+to+apply+to+new+technologies+and+that+privilege+and+work+product+determinations+will+often+turn+on+fact-specific+considerations.+These+decisions+do+not+mean+businesses+should+stop+using+AI.+But+businesses+should+be+smart+and+intentional+in+how+they+use+AI%2C+with+special+attention+paid+when+legal+issues+are+involved.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A08.11.25Protecting Executives from Deposition Using the Apex Witness Doctrine—Lessons Learned from Lionel Messi and Logan Paul
%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3Eby+%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Fmichael-r-huttenlocher%2F%22%3EMichael+R.+Huttenlocher%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+and+%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcllp.com%2Fpeople%2Fabigail-blaker%2F%22%3EAbigail+Blaker%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EPlaintiffs+all+too+often+seek+to+depose+a+business%E2%80%99+most+senior+executives%E2%80%94officers%2C+board+members%2C+and+other+%E2%80%9Capex%E2%80%9D+officials%E2%80%94in+an+attempt+to+create+tactical+leverage+to+pressure+an+early+settlement.+The+strategy+is+often+deployed+in+litigation+against+the+portfolio+companies+of+private+equity+sponsors.+Plaintiffs%E2%80%99+counsel+frequently+seek+to+depose+high-ranking+executives+of+those+sponsors%2C+hoping+that+the+inconvenience+and+distraction+of+a+deposition+motivates+an+early+resolution.+The+apex+witness+doctrine+has+emerged+as+a+critical+judicial+safeguard+to+defend+high-ranking+executives+from+this+common+ploy.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EThe+apex+witness+doctrine+shields+high-profile+witnesses+from+deposition+unless+it+is+established+that+%281%29+the+witness+has+unique%2C+firsthand+knowledge+of+the+specific+facts+at+issue%2C+and+%282%29+there+are+no+less+intrusive+means+of+obtaining+the+factual+knowledge+or+that+those+less+intrusive+means+have+been+exhausted+without+success.%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22+href%3D%22%23_ftn1%22+name%3D%22_ftnref1%22%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%5B1%5D%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%C2%A0The+doctrine+ensures+that+discovery+remains+focused%2C+efficient%2C+and+fair%2C+and+that+high-profile+individuals+are+not+subjected+to+unnecessary+business+disruption+absent+a+clear+showing+of+need.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3ECounsel+for+soccer+superstar+Lionel+Messi+recently+employed+the+apex+witness+doctrine+to+shield+him+from+sitting+for+a+deposition+in+the+hotly+contested+trademark+and+trade+dress+dispute+over+Messi%E2%80%99s+sports+drink+%E2%80%9CM%C3%81S%2B%E2%80%9D+and+Logan+Paul%E2%80%99s+rival+beverage+%E2%80%9CPrime.%E2%80%9D%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22+href%3D%22%23_ftn2%22+name%3D%22_ftnref2%22%3E%5B2%5D%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+Early+in+discovery%2C+Prime+sought+Messi%E2%80%99s+deposition+and+Messi+responded+that+%281%29+he+had+no+unique+or+personal+knowledge+relevant+to+the+claim+because+he+wasn%E2%80%99t+a+key+marketing+or+trade+dress+decision-maker%3B+%282%29+any+information+he+had+could+be+more+easily+obtained+through+other+witnesses%2C+including+several+members+of+his+management+team+who+attended+all+relevant+meetings+alongside+him%3B+and+%283%29+a+deposition+would+impose+an+undue+burden+on+him%2C+given+his+soccer+schedule+and+extensive+professional+commitments.%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22+href%3D%22%23_ftn3%22+name%3D%22_ftnref3%22%3E%5B3%5D%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+On+July+23%2C+2025%2C+the+U.S.+District+Court+for+the+Southern+District+of+New+York%2C+noting+that+Prime+had+not+first+attempted+to+depose+other+witnesses+or+employ+any+less+intrusive+means+of+discovery%2C+ordered+that+Messi+be+shielded+from+deposition+under+the+apex+witness+doctrine%2C+unless+it+could+be+later+shown+that+he+had+some+unique+knowledge+that+was+unavailable+from+other+sources.%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22+href%3D%22%23_ftn4%22+name%3D%22_ftnref4%22%3E%5B4%5D%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3EBy+granting+the+protective+order+for+Messi%2C+the+Court+reaffirmed+that+high-profile+individuals+are+entitled+to+protection+from+unnecessary+and+burdensome+discovery%2C+and+that+parties+seeking+such+depositions+must+make+a+concrete+showing+that+the+individual+possesses+unique+knowledge+relevant+to+the+claim+and+that+such+parties+had+exhausted+alternative+sources+first.+Although+it+is+not+an+absolute+bar+to+discovery%2C+the+apex+witness+doctrine+is+a+powerful+shield+that+can+be+used+to+fight+back+against+the+aggressive+litigation+tactics+employed+against+high-ranking+executives.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%237f7f7f%3B%22%3E%3Cspan+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22%3E%3Ca+style%3D%22color%3A+%23be9b64%3B%22+href%3D%22%23_ftnref1%22+name%3D%22_ftn1%22%3E%5B1%5D%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E+%3Cem%3EChang+v.+Mizuho+Sec.+USA+LLC%3C%2Fem%3E%2C+No.+21-cv-03874+%28MMG%29%2C+2024+WL+3824101%2C+at+%2A2+%28S.D.N.Y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