Former Prenda Law Attorney Paul Duffy Dies

Former Prenda Law Attorney Paul Duffy Dies

CHICAGO — Former Prenda Law Attorney Paul Duffy, 55, died Monday from heart and alcohol-related conditions, according to a report.

Duffy was a partner in the now-dissolved Prenda Law, which was notorious for exacting payments from porn piracy defendants through court-approved subpoenas.

Duffy had partnered with attorneys John Steele and Paul Hansmeier at Prenda Law, which closed shop in 2013 after U.S. District Judge Otis Wright in Los Angeles sanctioned the three for deceiving the court in a copyright infringement case. 

Prenda Law attorneys allegedly created shell companies in order to file copyright infringement and computer hacking suits to exploit court subpoena powers and extort settlements, typically about $3,400 per defendant, according to court records.

Currently, the former Prenda Law partners are awaiting a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling after they asked the court to toss sanctions from Wright, who said in a May 2013 opinion that Prenda Law “outmaneuvered the legal system" in their porn piracy cases representing adult companies AF Holdings LLC and Ingenuity 13 LLC — purportedly started up by the law firm.

According to Prenda Law’s appellate counsel, the attorneys should prevail in the appeal and the sanctions should be thrown out entirely because the firm wasn’t given the opportunity to defend themselves after its attorneys invoked the 5th Amendment in front of Wright. Prenda Law’s counsel said that Wright imposed criminal contempt penalties without extending criminal contempt procedural protections.

Just recently, Duffy along with Steele also were sanctioned in the case Lightspeed Media Corp. vs. Anthony Smith for engaging in “unreasonable, willful obstruction of discovery in bad faith."

Prenda Law, in recent months, was reportedly the subject of a federal probe, as well.

According to the Madison Record, the specific causes of Duffy’s death were atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and chronic ethanolism. He died at a Chicago-area hospital.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Transfixed Debuts Bree Miller Drama 'MILF Oasis'

Transfixed has released the Bree Mills-helmed drama “MILF Oasis.”

Sweet Sinner Releases 6th Volume of 'MILF Pact'

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Bunny Madison, Katrina Colt, and Little Puck in the sixth volume of "MILLF Pact," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Chaturbate Announces 2025 Music Contest Winners

Chaturbate has revealed the winners of its 2025 music competition.

Hime Marie Leads Latest From Hookup Hotshot

Hime Marie returns to Hookup Hotshot for a new scene featuring Nade Nasty.

2026 XBIZ Exec Awards Pre-Noms Open With Debut of New 'Impact' Honors

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the pre-nomination period for the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, the adult industry’s premier career honor, begins today and runs through Oct. 14.

Angelica Heaven Leads Latest From Immoral Productions

Angelica Heaven stars in a new Immoral Productions trilogy alongside Terry Banks, Matt Bird, Rob Hudson, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

MYM Launches New Traffic System

German creator platform MYM has launched a new traffic system for its members.

Payton Preslee Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Payton Preslee and Codey Steele star in the latest release from New Sensations.

Ukrainian Content Creators on Hook for Nearly $10M in Back Taxes

Content creators in Ukraine owe the equivalent of $9.3 million in back taxes, according to the country's State Tax Service.

Jade Venus, Aubrey Kate Star in Latest From Evil Angel

Jade Venus and Aubrey Kate star in a scene from Evil Angel titled “TS Aubrey & TS Jade Do 3 Uniformed Men.”

Show More