MyNewsLA reported that Colette Barris, sister of "Black-ish" creator Kenya Barris, received permission to add new allegations in a lawsuit over an alleged breach of a 2021 anti-disparagement agreement. MyNewsLA said the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit had appeared settled at a Dec. 5 trial-setting conference, but attorneys later told the court during a June status conference that the case was not resolved.
| Source | What it reported | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MyNewsLA | Judge Peter A. Hernandez granted Colette Barris permission to file an amended complaint with new causes of action. | Sept. 5, 2026 |
| Hoodline | The amended filing expands the dispute from an anti-disparagement contract case into claims including defamation and tortious interference. | Sept. 6, 2026 |
What did MyNewsLA report about the court ruling?
MyNewsLA reported that Hernandez allowed new causes of action for defamation, tortious interference, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil conspiracy, public disclosure of private facts and negligence. MyNewsLA also reported that Hernandez said the plaintiff identified the proposed changes and explained why the amended complaint was necessary. The same report said Kenya Barris did not oppose the updated filing.
How did Hoodline describe the expanded lawsuit?
Hoodline reported that the dispute dates back to a Feb. 22, 2021 settlement agreement following Kenya Barris's domestic violence restraining order request. Hoodline wrote that the new tortious interference claim targets allegations that Kenya Barris interfered with Colette Barris's business negotiations with entertainment buyers. Hoodline also reported that Colette Barris has worked as a Los Angeles Unified teacher for more than three decades, citing MyNewsLA for that background.
Why does this belong on a personal injury law news page?
The reports describe alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress, public disclosure of private facts and negligence claims, which are civil tort claims rather than a criminal proceeding. For readers comparing civil injury and negligence topics, Lederer & Nojima's practice areas page lists related personal injury work handled by the firm.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.