TechFlow news — The federal judge overseeing the SBF case, Lewis Kaplan, said Sunday that Sam Bankman-Fried's defense team cannot emphasize the role of law firm Fenwick & West attorneys in their opening statements, but may later attempt to raise a "legal advice" defense during trial.
Earlier this year, Bankman-Fried's defense team informed the Department of Justice and the court that he intended to argue that FTX lawyers were "involved" in certain decisions made by the company. However, in an order issued Sunday, Lewis Kaplan wrote that such a vague argument, lacking specific details, could confuse or prejudice the jury. While Kaplan barred the defense from mentioning outside counsel in the opening statement, he allowed Bankman-Fried's lawyers to raise the issue later—provided they first notify the judge and the DOJ—and do so outside the presence of the jury.
