(CNN) A judge in Virginia ordered Wednesday that the NRA's outside attorney, William Brewer, and the public relations team at his firm be walled off from "highly classified" material that Ackerman McQueen turns over in discovery.

The NRA and Ackerman, its long time public relations firm, are embroiled in a bitter legal battle that has resulted in the two organizations severing ties after decades in business together.

In Wednesday's hearing, Ackerman's attorney, David Dickieson, argued that the communications shop within Brewer's firm poses a direct competitive threat to Ackerman's public affairs business and that handing over proprietary information to Brewer's public relations team would allow them to siphon away business from Ackerman.

Dickieson also noted the bizarre family feud at play in this case: Brewer is the brother-in-law of Ackerman chief executive Revan McQueen.

"There's a Shakespearean tragedy that's taking place here," Dickieson said.

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