Libel/Defamation Litigation

As an experienced litigation firm, we frequently handle a variety of business tort litigation, including defamation, libel and slander matters and have tried such cases many times.

The following are examples of cases involving those claims, which may either be the centerpiece of the litigation or tangential to other claims:

• The Firm defended a national real estate firm against claims by a former commercial real estate broker for breach of contract, wrongful discharge, sex discrimination, defamation and harassment who sought $2 million in lost earnings. After a month-long trial, the jury returned a defense verdict.
• The Firm represented a local law firm in an action involving charges by a former associate that he had been terminated in retaliation for "whistle-blowing" about improper billing practices and had been defamed in the process. The matter was resolved on a confidential basis just before trial by the Firm's insurance carrier, without any expense to the client.
• We represented the plaintiff, a former employee/joint venturer with certain of the defendants in a number of art galleries throughout the western United States. Following Defendant's unilateral termination of her interests, the plaintiff sued for breach of contract, fraud, defamation and interference with contract. One of the issues involved defendants' participation in a scheme to mass-market fake "Salvador Dali" prints which was featured on the T.V. program "60 Minutes." A jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and against all defendants, awarding plaintiff lost future profits and other damages.
• The Firm defended a claim for wrongful termination and defamation by a former managerial employee of a medical supply company. The Firm's clients were three co-employees who allegedly conspired to terminate and defame the plaintiff. Following a nine-day trial, and at the conclusion of plaintiff's case, the court granted a non-suit in favor of the Firm's clients.
• The Firm represented the president of the American subsidiary of one of the world's largest real estate development firms in San Diego County Superior Court against charges of wrongful termination and defamation levied by the former Administrative Manager. The Firm was successful in obtaining summary judgment on behalf of our client.
• The Firm represented the dean of a law school against claims that the dean conspired with administration to wrongfully terminate and defame the assistant dean. Our client was dismissed early in the trial for a waiver of costs.
• The Firm represented a distributor of window film who sued the manufacturer of the film and one of the competing distributors. The lawsuit alleged that the manufacturer had supplied defective film and that the defendants had conspired to terminate the plaintiff’s distribution agreement. The case settled before trial for $5,510,000.