Defamation can occur in a number of contexts, including the following:
Defamation by the media
Newspapers, magazines, television stations, and other media outlets may falsely accuse individuals or companies of crimes or other wrongful acts. Our firm currently represents the plaintiff in one of the most important cases of media defamation currently being handled by the courts, namely, the case brought by Dr. Steven Hatfill against Condé Nast Publications (the publisher of Vanity Fair magazine) and Readers Digest for articles that falsely accused Dr. Hatfill of perpetrating the Anthrax murders that occurred in the fall of 2001.
Defamation of employees by employers
It is unlawful for an employer to make false statements about an employee or former employee’s fitness for his or her profession. When employers make such defamatory statements, it can ruin or severely injure the employee’s or former employee’s ability to obtain new employment and can have other long-term impacts. Our firm has represented a number of employees who have fought back against former employers for such defamatory statements and has obtained very substantial settlements on behalf of our clients.
Defamation of businesses
Businesses can also be victimized by defamation, often by competitors who seek to obtain an unfair advantage by spreading false rumors or accusations about the victimized business. Our firm has represented businesses seeking to protect their hard-earned reputation against such defamation by their competitors. Our attorneys also have experience in other types of First Amendment litigation. For example, partner Jonathan Tycko represented a consortium of media clients in a series of lawsuits to gain access to the sealed proceedings in the Independent Counsel investigation of and impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton. And partner Hassan Zavareei successfully challenged a district court injunction that violated our client’s First Amendment rights to petition the government and for free speech.
If you have been the victim of defamation, or if your First Amendment rights have been violated, our law firm will vigorously pursue and defend your rights.
