Representative Cases

Action for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress brought by attorneys who represented landlords in eviction cases, against an attorney who ran a law office that primarily represented tenants. Defendant attorney allegedly caused one of his agents to create a “fake” Twitter account that was purportedly authored by the principal plaintiff and which contained offensive, misogynistic, and other defamatory posts. Case was extremely contentious. It also involved critical questions regarding vicarious liability, and affirmative defenses such as opinion and “parody” in a defamation context.

Action for assault and battery by a woman who alleged she was beaten with a flashlight by the apartment manager of a building where she was visiting a friend. The case had to be tried twice: a mistrial was declared after the first trial was just about to go to the jury, because the Covid pandemic shut down the courthouse.

Action for invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and related claims brought by a couple who were leasing a room from the defendant homeowners. Defendants’ son allegedly installed hidden cameras in ventilation units in the bedroom and bathroom when he performed renovation work for his parents. Issues included whether the parents were vicariously liable for the adult son’s conduct.

Action for fraud, breach of contract, and judicial foreclosure brought by parishioner against his pastor and others. The pastor persuaded the parishioner to loan $500,000 to the church, which loan was purportedly secured by deeds of trust on two properties. The loan was never repaid; and the pastor allegedly used the funds for personal expenses. The case included a related cross-action for negligent and intentional misrepresentation; as well as a consolidated action for indemnity brought by a realty company against its former real estate agent, who allegedly helped draft the note and deeds of trust.

Numerous delayed-accrual sexual assault cases involving churches, school districts, community organizations, and also one well-known popular singer.