Victory for McDermott Client in Defamation Case
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 11, 2005) — McDermott Will & Emery advised West Virginia Media Holdings, LLC (WVMH), on allegations of defamation brought against WVMH by former Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Warren McGraw, who was defeated for re-election in a bitter 2004 campaign. Justice McGraw alleged that WVMH defamed him by airing harsh political advertisements regarding a controversial court opinion that Justice McGraw had joined.
In its motion to dismiss, WVMH convinced the court that the advertisements were true as a matter of law. The McDermott team was led by trial partner Richard Smith, and included associates Meredith Caskey and Matt Leland.
West Virginia Media Holdings, a locally owned and managed statewide media business, is the first truly statewide media voice in West Virginia, reaching more than 80 percent of West Virginians with newsgathering and entertainment capabilities while serving as a steadfast advocate for our state's growth and prosperity. For more information visit http://www.wvmh.com/.
McDermott Will & Emery trial lawyers are regularly engaged in all aspects of civil, regulatory and white-collar criminal defense litigation in U.S. and international forums. Our Trial Department has handled thousands of mediations, arbitrations, trials and appeals. Our experience includes handling emergency situations such as temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, bench and jury trials, arbitrations and alternative dispute resolution, including mediations and summary jury trials.
