Jeffrey Downs, the gay lawyer suing two plaintiffs firms over his scuttled lateral move, has had several claims tossed from his federal suit.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge L. Felipe Restrepo of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted motions from both defendants asking the court to dismiss claims for defamation, discrimination and false light. The ruling allowed the plaintiff's retaliation claims to move forward against both defendants.

Downs had alleged discrimination, defamation and retaliation against Raynes McCarty, and had also asserted claims of defamation, false light and retaliation against Anapol Schwartz.