Attorneys obtained summary judgment in a defamation claim

Attorneys obtained summary judgment in a defamation claim brought against our clients who were attorneys representing a number of homeowners in protracted litigation involving the plaintiff, a developer who allegedly failed to rebuild a dam surrounding their community and the state Department of Environmental Protection. Our client made statements after a motion hearing. Our client provided his opinion concerning the court's decision in connection with the motion hearing to a local newspaper. He and his firm where then sued for defamation. We obtained summary judgment by showing that the client's statement constituted his opinion, did not imply facts which were deemed to be false and, further, was consistent with statements made by the court during the hearing at issue. Further, we obtained transcript from a subsequent hearing in the underlying matter which showed that the clients' assessment of the case was consistent with the view of the court and actions taken in the underlying matter.