Defense of Investigative Journalists Sued by Land Developer

Warner represented an online local news outlet and its investigative journalists. They had reported on the actions and legal troubles of a real estate developer who had tried and failed for years to redevelop several parcels in the local downtown, leaving them a blighted eyesore. Upset about the unflattering but accurate coverage, the developer sued. Utilizing our decades of media law experience, Warner sought and received a swift dismissal of the claims as a matter of law by the trial court, despite a flurry of legal arguments and maneuvers by the developer. And when the developer appealed that decision, we obtained a unanimous affirmance from a panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals.