Comments on Recent Cases: March 2026

People are understandably upset when others say false things about them, and they may consider defamation litigation. When false statements arise in a public process, such as in city records or in court, the lies may do more damage than they would have in a less official forum. The subject of those statements may therefore feel a greater desire to sue. But common-interest privilege protects certain types of statements.

Comments on Recent Cases: February 2026

When a court orders someone to appear for a deposition, the person must appear or get another court order to the contrary. The penalty for disobeying the order to appear, however, can vary. For witnesses who decline to appear, the penalty may be monetary. For parties to the lawsuit, the court may rule the person who failed to appear must lose, but that is not always the case.

Comments on Recent Cases: January 2026

It is important for defendants in litigation to promptly respond to a complaint. If they do not, a plaintiff may obtain a default judgment against them. But courts still apply strict rules to plaintiffs seeking default judgments.

Comments on Recent Cases: December 2025

To prevail in litigation, it is not enough that someone did something wrong. A plaintiff needs to sue the correct defendant, usually the one responsible for the wrongful action. Sometimes, however, plaintiffs sue someone who did not do the wrong thing, and claim this defendant “aided and abetted” the wrongful actor.