Premium Dive #4 - Am I Being Defamed? (Part Two): Navigating Defamation Lawsuits With Lessons From (former) Defendant Mandy Matney, and Plaintiff Buster Murdaugh

True Sunlight

As you likely know, we are taking off from COJ and True Sunlight this week to focus on educating students around the Midwest so thank you for understanding and we hope you enjoy this bonus content!

In today’s Premium Dive Bonus episode, Attorney Rebecca Lindahl and reporter Sam Berlin discuss the implications of Buster's media interviews and public appearances, which could make him a public figure, complicating his defamation case. They highlight the legal protections for press, such as the Fair Reporting Privilege and Absolute Privilege.

Also, Mandy Matney and producer/husband David recount Mandy's defamation lawsuit involving former USC professor, David Voros, criticizing the attorney Bill Padgett for pursuing baseless claims. Mandy shares the emotional and financial toll of the lawsuit, which cost over $33,000 plus all the stress, emotional toll, and havoc it caused. Becky Lindahl advises on handling defamation claims, emphasizing the importance of gathering evidence and seeking legal counsel early.

We believe in the importance of anti-SLAPP laws and the need for legal protections against strategic lawsuits aimed at chilling public speech or silencing specific individuals.

Special thank you to Rebecca Lindahl for lending her voice to today's show and you can learn more about her and her firm here:

Rebecca K. Lindahl

Partner and Chair, Commercial Litigation Group

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

https://www.katten.com

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