Shilo Sanders is facing a revived legal battle after a law firm that previously dropped its lawsuit against him brought the case back in a different court, renewing claims that the former Colorado football player owes roughly $170,000 in unpaid legal fees.
According to newly filed court documents obtained by USA Today, Barnes & Thornburg LLP has refiled its lawsuit against Sanders in Texas state court after voluntarily dismissing an earlier federal case in late May. The firm alleges that Sanders has failed to pay outstanding legal bills connected to representation in some of his most significant legal matters, including his ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
In the new complaint, the firm argues that the debt remains unpaid despite repeated efforts to collect. “Despite Mr. Sanders's clear duty to pay the Outstanding Debt, he has refused to pay Plaintiff, and Mr. Sanders's account remains unpaid,” the filing states.
The lawsuit seeks approximately $170,000, including accrued interest, along with additional damages that could be determined at trial. The firm said it chose to refile in Dallas County because a substantial portion of the events related to the dispute occurred there.
The legal fees stem from work performed while Sanders was represented by Barnes & Thornburg during his bankruptcy case and related litigation. According to the complaint, the dispute arose after the attorney handling Sanders’ matters left the firm for another practice. Sanders allegedly continued with that attorney but did not settle the outstanding balance owed to the original firm.
The renewed lawsuit comes as Sanders remains embroiled in a series of legal disputes stemming from his Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. The 26-year-old filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2023 while carrying more than $11 million in debt. The overwhelming majority of that amount is tied to a judgment entered against Sanders in favor of John Darjean, a former school security guard in Dallas.
Darjean sued Sanders in 2016, alleging that Sanders caused serious injuries during a confrontation at school in 2015. Sanders has maintained that he acted in self-defense. However, when the case eventually reached trial in 2022, Sanders did not appear in court, resulting in an $11.89 million default judgment against him.
Since then, the bankruptcy case has expanded into multiple fronts. Darjean continues to challenge Sanders’ effort to discharge the debt, while a bankruptcy trustee is separately pursuing claims involving approximately $250,000 in disputed transfers connected to Sanders’ NIL-related businesses. More recently, Mercedes-Benz also sought court permission to repossess Sanders’ vehicle, alleging missed payments.
Away from the courtroom, Sanders has been pursuing opportunities outside football after being waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
