Case Summary

In late August 2019, the NRA brought a relatively limited lawsuit against its longtime partner and public relations firm Ackerman McQueen in federal court in the Northern District of Texas. The suit focused on Ackerman’s alleged improper profiling of its former NRA work on the firm’s website.  The initial federal complaint was only 11 pages.  By this time, the parties were already embroiled in litigation in state court in Virginia over the deterioration of their business relationship.

However, the federal litigation in Texas quickly escalated with the parties lobbing accusations of deceit, wrongdoing, and extortion, among other allegations.  This litigation became of significant economic consequence, with both parties seeking over $50 million in damages.

Ackerman counterclaimed in the litigation (amended counterclaims filed November 15, 2019) against the NRA and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. The counterclaim levied several new and detailed allegations of wrongdoing at the NRA, and alleged the following causes of action: (1) Libel (against the NRA and LaPierre); (2) Tortious Interference with Contract (against the NRA and LaPierre); (3) Declaratory Judgment (against the NRA); (4) Fraud (against LaPierre); and (5) Breach of Contract (against the NRA). 

In its amended complaint (filed October 25, 2019), the NRA alleged eight separate causes of action against Ackerman McQueen, Mercury Group, and individual defendants Henry Martin, William Winkler, Melanie Montgomery, and Jesse Greenberg (all Ackerman employees).  While the initial complaint focused narrowly on copyright issues pertaining to Ackerman’s use of NRA materials on its website, the amended complaint alleges a bevy of allegations against Ackerman and the individual defendants, including: (1) Lanham Act False Association Claims, (2) Copyright Infringement, (3) Conversion, (4) Fraud, (5) Breach of Fiduciary Duty, (6) Conspiracy, (7) Breach of Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty, and (8) Breach of Contract.

This case took on added significance because, as of March 2020 and over the objection of the NRA, the Virginia state court litigation between the NRA and Ackerman was stayed pending the outcome of this case in Texas. Several depositions of prominent leaders in both organizations were publicly filed in the Texas case. In March 2022, the NRA agreed to a $12.5 million settlement of all its litigation with Ackerman.

The filings on this page are a selection of the more significant filings in the matter.  The full docket can be accessed at the PACER website for the Northern District of Texas.