Paula Deen News: Chef Fires Legal Team
Paula Deen, the celebrity chef who recently lost her television show and sponsorships, is still facing drama.
Controversy began when the Southern foods specialist revealed having used the "N-word" long ago during a lawsuit deposition. Former employee Lisa Jackson filed the lawsuit and which alleges discrimination and racism at two of Deen's restaurants.
Subsequently, Deen's television show "Paula's Home Cooking" was not renewed for contract at the Food Network.
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Additionally, the controversial 66-year-old chef was dropped from sponsors including Smithfield Foods, Sears, and many others.
Just last week, Deen fired her longtime agent Barry Weiner.
Then, on Thursday, the chef parted ways with her legal team of the firm Oliver Maner, according to People.
"She and her team decided that previous attorneys were out of their depth," said a source close to the Deen family.
Deen replaced her legal team with a partner in Morgan Lewis' Labor and Employment practice- Grace Speights.
"They are on of the top labor firms in the country," added the insider.
Meanwhile, Deen's sons Bobby and Jamie staunchly denied allegations that their mother is racist.
"Neither one of our parents ever taught us to be bigoted toward any other person for any reason," said Bobby Deen speaking to CNN's "New Day" host Chris Cuomo last month.
"Our mother is one of the most compassionate, good-hearted, empathetic people that you'd ever meet," he added. "These accusations are very hurtful for her, and it's very sad."
Deen went on to say that the latest headlines about his mother and the lawsuit against her are contributing to "character assassination."
"I'm disgusted by the entire thing, because it began as extortion and it has become character assassination," Bobby Deen told CNN.
Furthermore, the celebrity chef also released an apology "to those that I have hurt" in an online video last week where she insisted that she and her family do not tolerate prejudice.
