High steppin'.

A recent decision California Supreme Court decision in favor of former "Riverdance" star Michael Flatley could act as a deterrent to unfounded sexual harassment suits.

Tyna Marie Robertson had relations with the dancer in Las Vegas in 2002 and filed rape charges 25 days later. They were dismissed and the dancer countersued in 2003. Last week's decision will allow Flatley to proceed with his $100 million extortion and defamation case against Robertson. Her attorney, D. Dean Mauro of Waukegan. Ill., could not be reached for comment.

Robertson made headlines previously in a custody battle over the son she had with the NFL's Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. The football player proved his paternity of the child in court through DNA testing last year. Flatley is represented by Bert Fields and Ricardo Cestero, both of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP.

"I think that this has potentially significant ramifications for both the people who made the allegations and the lawyers who pursue them," said Cestero. He added that these kinds of suits are filed frequently against celebrities, but settled quietly--even if they're without merit--because "you can't un-ring the bell."

It's especially satisfying for Cestero, an entertainment attorney, because the decision creates precedent at the state Supreme Court level.

"I think it's going to limit the types of threats (people) can make in trying to obtain these private, out-of-court settlements," he said. "And hopefully it will discourage people from bringing these types of false charges and false accusations in the hopes of a quick pay day."