The attorney defending Anapol Schwartz against claims of defamation and tortious interference by a gay lawyer whose lateral move was scuttled took the stand to explain his role during an exit interview with the plaintiff.

Gaetan Alfano of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, who is trial counsel for the defense in Downs v. Anapol Schwartz, was called to the stand Thursday to describe his role in an exit interview with plaintiff Jeffrey Downs that occurred after a partner at Anapol Schwartz had allegedly interfered with Downs' lateral move to Raynes McCarty.

Alfano said he conducted the exit interview, and asked Downs several questions about alleged incidents of discrimination, including being called homophobic slurs by a firm administrator and a firm leader being dismissive of Downs' expenses because Downs didn't “have a family.”