We are leading experts in defamation law, regularly handling defamation claims in many forms (libel, slander, defamation-
by-implication, trade libel, etc.), from pre-publication and pre-broadcast advice to the highest courts. 

For instance, we have provided defamation advice to studios on recent blockbuster movies, and we have successfully represented our clients in the only two defamation cases in the United States Supreme Court since 1991.  We also have taught defamation law as adjunct professors at three area law schools.  Here is a very small sample of our work in the defamation arena:

• Masson v. New Yorker Magazine, 501 U.S. 496 (1991).  Successfully represented journalist Janet Malcolm in defamation trial in federal district court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.
  
  
• Kaelin v. Globe Communications Corp., 162 F.3d 1036 (9th Cir. 1998).  Landmark case holding that newspaper headlines may be defamatory.
  
  
• Ross v. Santa Barbara News Press, Santa Barbara Superior Court and California Court of Appeal.  Represented newspaper in six-week defamation jury trial.
  
  
• Thomas v. Los Angeles Times Communications LLC, 189 F.Supp.2d 1005 (C.D. Cal. 2002).  Successfully defended newspaper against defamation claims made by public figure concerning his record in World War II.
  
  
• Defeated rap artist’s defamation claim based on television station’s news broadcast regarding the murder of another famous rapper.
  
  
• Defeated plaintiff’s defamation and privacy claims, and secured a six-figure attorneys’ fee judgment for our client, a television broadcasting company.