Defamation, Privacy & First Amendment

Our attorneys have earned national recognition representing individuals, businesses, and media entities in defamation, libel, slander, privacy and First Amendment cases in Chicago and across the country. Our clients include physicians, attorneys and law firms, business leaders and their companies, labor union officers and local unions, professional athletes, and not-for-profit corporations. We zealously protect and defend our clients’ First Amendment rights and their hard-earned reputations.
We look at the big picture and provide informed, practical advice based upon years of experience. When false and defamatory speech occurs online, including through social media posts, we help our clients strategically assess the issues and have initiated proceedings, when necessary, to discover the identities of anonymous online posters.

Client Services

Our attorneys’ experience litigating defamation, libel, slander, privacy and First Amendment cases includes:

Representing an on-line news tabloid

Defending an on-line celebrity news tabloid regarding statements published about a reality TV show participant and obtaining an award of attorneys’ fees as a sanction following the dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice.

Representing a professional athlete

Representing a professional athlete in trial, appellate, and state supreme courts against a radio “shock jock”, his on-air side-kick, and the station owner for false on-air statements, resulting in an optimal settlement shortly prior to trial

Defending a not-for-profit corporation

Defending multiple cases filed against a not-for-profit corporation for statements published in a book about Chicago street gangs, resulting in the dismissal of defamation per se and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims with prejudice.

Representing a content provider

Successful defense of client through jury verdict against a sattelite television content distributor’s $21 million defamation claim against a content provider.

Defending a local union officer

Defending a local union officer’s union election campaign speech critical of a political rival, resulting in the dismissal of the case with prejudice.

Representation of private citizens & businesses

Representation of private citizens and businesses in First Amendment challenges to municipal ordinances restricting commercial speech and political speech.

Defending a law firm

Defending a law firm in state trial and appellate courts regarding media statements that a U.S. Senator’s campaign treasurer was “fired for incompetence.” The case was dismissed with prejudice and the dismissal was affirmed on appeal.

Representing a prominent criminal defense attorney

Representing a prominent criminal defense attorney in trial, appellate and state supreme courts where a nationally distributed book published that he paid bribes to “fix” and “handle” criminal cases.

Obtaining a jury verdict

Obtaining a jury verdict for compensatory and punitive damages for a labor union president for false statements made during a union election campaign.

Obtaining a defense verdict

Obtaining a defense verdict in a jury trial regarding alleged statements that the plaintiff, a former government official, extorted kickbacks from  local businesses.

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Our Practice Areas

Business

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Litigation

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News & Updates

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Increasing Tax Basis on a Decedent’s Death

Question:        My mother is terminally ill and holds a meaningful amount of property, including traditional Individual Retirement Accounts. Is there a basis step-up at her death on her IRAs and on any of my appreciated assets I may choose to transfer to her?

COVID-19 Response Plan

To our valued clients, colleagues and friends: At Schoenberg Finkel Newman & Rosenberg, we take our obligation to ensure a healthy and safe working environment as seriously as our commitment to providing a continuous, high level of service to our clients. Since...

Rules and Lawsuits and Injunctions, Oh My!

Rules and Lawsuits and Injunctions, Oh My!

What is the practical effect of two recent FLSA rulings?

In recent months, two different courts sitting in Texas have issued headline-grabbing rulings interpreting the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).

Preliminary Injunction on CTA Enforcement and Reporting Rule

Preliminary Injunction on CTA Enforcement and Reporting Rule

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction staying the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its Reporting Rule. The effect of the injunction is nationwide.