Los Angeles Defamation Attorneys
Defending Reputations at Moore Ruddell LLP
A reputation takes years to earn and minutes to damage. A single false review, an inflammatory social media post, a misleading press statement, or a coordinated smear campaign can cost a business clients and contracts, and can cost an individual a job, a career, or a place in the community. California law provides meaningful remedies for these harms, but defamation cases are technically demanding, time-sensitive, and unforgiving of mistakes by counsel.
Moore Ruddell LLP represents plaintiffs in California defamation matters. Our attorneys handle libel, slander, and trade libel claims, with particular attention to the constitutional, statutory, and procedural rules that make these cases unlike most other civil litigation.
What Counts as Defamation Under California Law
Defamation in California is the publication of a false statement of fact to a third party that exposes the subject to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, or that injures the subject in his or her occupation. Libel refers to defamatory statements in written or fixed form. Slander refers to defamatory statements that are spoken or otherwise transitory.
Some categories of statements are considered so inherently damaging that the law presumes harm, known as defamation per se. These typically include false statements that the plaintiff committed a crime, has a loathsome disease, is professionally incompetent or dishonest, or has engaged in serious sexual misconduct. Other statements require the plaintiff to prove special damages, meaning quantifiable economic harm tied to the publication.
Matters We Handle
Our defamation work covers a wide range of factual settings, including:
- Online defamation involving false reviews, social media posts, anonymous attacks on message boards, and defamatory content on news and blog sites.
- Business and professional defamation involving statements that damage a company’s goodwill, undermine its relationships with customers or partners, or accuse principals of misconduct.
- Trade libel and product disparagement involving false statements about a business’s goods or services that cause economic loss.
- Employment-related defamation involving false statements made by current or former employers in references, internal communications, and post-termination disputes.
- Media and publication disputes involving traditional media outlets, podcasts, online publications, and influencers.
Call Moore Ruddell.
Special Rules in California Defamation Cases
Defamation is one of the most procedurally distinctive areas of civil litigation in California. A short list of issues that come up in nearly every case includes:
- Statute of limitations. California sets a one-year statute of limitations for libel and slander under Code of Civil Procedure § 340(c). The single-publication rule generally means the clock starts when the statement is first published, not each time it is later viewed. Delay can be fatal to an otherwise strong case.
- Anti-SLAPP motions. California Code of Civil Procedure § 425.16, the anti-SLAPP statute, allows defendants in many defamation cases to file a special motion to strike at the outset of litigation. A losing plaintiff can be ordered to pay the defendant’s attorneys’ fees. Anti-SLAPP analysis should guide how a complaint is drafted and how the case is prepared from the beginning.
- Public figures and matters of public concern. First Amendment doctrine, including the actual malice standard from New York Times v. Sullivan, frequently determines what must be proven. Whether a plaintiff is a public figure, a limited-purpose public figure, or a private figure can shape the entire case.
- Privileged communications. California recognizes a range of absolute and qualified privileges for litigation communications, government proceedings, fair reporting, and common-interest communications that can defeat liability.
- Opinion versus fact. Statements of pure opinion are not actionable, but the line between an opinion and an implied false statement of fact is heavily contested in California courts.
These doctrines mean defamation cases are not simply about whether a statement was hurtful or unfair. The law sets a high bar by design, and successful claims require sophisticated handling from the very first filing.
Plaintiff Representation
When a client comes to us as the target of defamatory statements, we move quickly. We evaluate the statements against California’s substantive requirements, identify the publishers and platforms, document the harm, and develop a strategy that may include preservation letters, retraction demands, takedown requests, and litigation.
Where appropriate, we pursue injunctive and monetary relief, including presumed damages in cases of defamation per se and punitive damages in cases involving malice.
Why Moore Ruddell
Defamation cases reward both legal precision and judgment about when, how, and whether to escalate. Litigation that draws additional attention to a damaging statement can sometimes do more harm than the original publication. Our attorneys help clients weigh those choices honestly and pursue the path most likely to protect their reputation, business, and long-term interests.
Ready to Talk?
If you have been harmed by false and damaging statements, we are available to discuss your situation in confidence. Moore Ruddell LLP offers free initial consultations to evaluate potential claims and help you understand your options.
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