Defamation
California Court Dismisses Amazon Tribe’s Libel Suit Against The New York Times and TMZ
Alexandra SettelmayerAt the heart of the suit was the allegation that The Times had claimed that the tribe was addicted to online pornography—something that The Times never said.
Illinois Legislature Amends the State’s Anti-SLAPP Law
Gregory R. NaronThe amendments to the CPA were specifically intended to override the Illinois Supreme Court’s nullifying interpretations in the Sandholm and Glorioso cases. After years of disuse, practitioners representing defamation defendants in Illinois courts should again consider filing CPA motions—with the opportunity to guide the development and rejuvenation of the law.
NBCUniversal Media Wins Summary Judgment in Devin Nunes Libel Suit
Alexandra M. SettelmayerIn granting summary judgment, the Court found that NBCU had not acted with actual malice because it relied upon the July 23, 2020 Politico Article, which it believed to be a reputable publication.
No Mulligan for Pro Golfer’s Dismissed $750 Million Defamation Lawsuit
Minch Minchin and Rachel E. FugateFollowing oral argument, the 11th Circuit upheld a dismissal of a $750 million defamation suit filed by professional golfer Patrick Reed because none of the dozens of at-issue statements were published with actual malice
Religious University’s Defamation Claims Against Newsweek Executives Dismissed
Cameron Stracher and Sara TesorieroIn the latest chapter of the ongoing legal saga between Olivet University and Newsweek, Olivet was thwarted in its efforts to drag Newsweek executives into litigation in Florida when a Florida federal court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Defamation Claim Over Hollywood Feud Article Is Time-Barred
Minch Minchin and Rachel E. FugateIn a published opinion following oral argument, the Eleventh Circuit upheld dismissal of a time-barred defamation suit filed by a movie producer against his rival and magazine The Hollywood Reporter.
Pennsylvania Case Shows the Power of an Anti-SLAPP Law – Even When It’s Just a Suggestion
Kaitlin M. Gurney, David Korzenik, and Mona HouckA case which could have been a cautionary tale about the Philadelphia court system is instead a story about the power of anti-SLAPP law – even when it does not apply to the case.
Colorado Court Tosses Libel Suit Premised on Newspaper’s Reporting on Controversy Surrounding “Furries” in Public Schools
Steve ZansbergOn July 3, Colorado’s Court of Appeals ruled that a local advocacy group’s libel claims against a newspaper should have been dismissed by the trial judge in ruling on the paper’s anti-SLAPP motion.
New Jersey Court Promotes Anti-SLAPP in First Appellate Decision
Bruce S. RosenAlthough the decision was narrow, it broadly construed the law, reconciled a court rule to comport with the law, and reconfirmed that a voluntary withdrawal after filing still subjects plaintiffs to mandatory fee shifting.
Federal Court Splits Murdaugh Libel Case, Then Denies Media Defendants’ Dismissal Motions
Eric P. RobinsonJudge Gergel denied a motion by the defendants in the federal proceeding to dismiss the case. After reviewing the requirements for a defamation claim under South Carolina law, he concluded that Murdaugh had indeed made sufficient allegations in his original state court complaint to survive a motion to dismiss.