Litigating Defamation Cases (2024 Edition)

V. John Ella
V. John Ella | Fafinski, Mark & Johnson P.A.

V. John Ella is a shareholder at Fafinski, Mark & Johnson P.A. Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He has represented individuals, private businesses, non-profits, universities, and counties in defamation lawsuits across Minnesota.

On-Demand: October 24, 2024

2 hour CLE

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Program Summary

Defamation has been in the news lately and social media is fueling an increasing number of claims in this area. This course examines the relevant elements, defenses, and recoverable damages in defamation cases. The course further examines key federal and state laws relating to defamation including the Communications Decency Act and California’s Anti-SLAPP statute. This course further outlines and discusses some of the most significant public rulings nationwide in defamation cases and concludes with providing tips and best practices for both prosecuting and defending against defamation cases.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Elements of a defamation claim
  • The First Amendment and malice
  • Qualified privilege, truth, and other defenses to defamation claims
  • 2024 case updates
  • Social media, the Communications Decency Act and new FTC Rules regarding customer reviews
  • Anti-SLAPP laws and defamation
  • Damages and creative, non-financial settlement scenarios

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

V. John Ella_myLawCLEV. John Ella | Fafinski, Mark & Johnson P.A.

V. John Ella is a shareholder at Fafinski, Mark & Johnson P.A. Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He has represented individuals, private businesses, non-profits, universities, and counties in defamation lawsuits across Minnesota.

He has written about defamation law for several publications and regularly presents continuing legal education seminars on defamation law.

Agenda

I. Elements of a defamation claim | 3:00pm – 3:15pm

II. The First Amendment and malice | 3:15pm – 3:30pm

III. Qualified privilege, truth, and other defenses to defamation claims | 3:30pm – 3:45pm

IV. 2024 case updates | 3:45pm – 4:00pm

Break | 4:00pm – 4:10pm

V. Social media, the Communications Decency Act and new FTC Rules regarding customer reviews | 4:10pm – 4:30pm

VI. Anti-SLAPP laws and defamation | 4:30pm – 4:50pm

VII. Damages and creative, non-financial settlement scenarios | 4:50pm – 5:10pm

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