Defamation and First Amendment Litigation

March 6, 2022

Invasion of Privacy. Successful defense of a publisher in an invasion of privacy action for release and publication of sensitive personal information of participants in a major health study, resulting in summary judgment under the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act) (47 U.S.C. § 222 (2000).
First Amendment/Defamation Trial. Successful defense in a high-profile trial and on appeal of The Chicago Tribune as co-counsel in defamation suit brought against it and its Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist by former prosecutor in the sensational Jeanine Nicarico murder case in which two men, Rolando Cruz and Alejandro Hernandez, both Latinos, were wrongfully convicted of abduction, rape and murder in DuPage County, Illinois and both sentenced to death.
Defamation of Public Figure. Successful representation of former Hall of Fame professional athlete to respond to pre-publication and ultimate publication of defamatory content, requiring retraction and settlement.
Defamation RICO/Criminal Conspiracy. Successful representation resulting in a substantial settlement for a CEO of a Chicago corporation who was falsely accused of involvement in a criminal RICO scheme in which others were charged and convicted in federal court.
Media Defendant. Successful representation of a prominent television figure in pre-publication and post-publication to respond to publication of defamatory content, requiring retraction and settlement.