It’s a Verdict for the Defense!

Congratulations to LLF shareholders Crystal L. Van Der Putten and John C. Hentschel.  After five years of litigation, a directed verdict on alleged actual damages and business torts, and a 3+ week jury trial in Contra Costa County Superior Court, they received a defense verdict in a defamation per se action that included allegations of conspiracy. The key questions in the case were whether various statements the defendant made were actionable defamation and whether the other two named defendants conspired with her to defame plaintiffs. In less than six hours of deliberation, the jury determined the statements were not defamatory. Because the jury found no defamation, there could be no conspiracy.  As such, the jury returned a verdict for the defendants. LLF recovered $110,000 in expert fees and costs. Fairmont Riding Club, et al. v. Pestana, et al. (Contra Costa County Superior Court Case No. MSC17-00630).