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Accusers Slap Counterclaim On Joshua Wright's SLAPPy Suit

Most defamation suits allege some kind of false statement, but this one tries a bold new strategy!

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Slap text in comic splash iconAfter departing from his position as a law professor at George Mason University’s ASS Law, former FTC Commissioner and Joshua Wright filed a $108 million lawsuit against Kirkland & Ellis partner Elyse Dorsey and Freshfield’s counsel Angela Landry. Dorsey and Landry had come forward alleging that Wright engaged them in sexual relationships while they were 1Ls in his class and that this carried on throughout their careers because they feared the professional repercussions of spurning a powerful figure in antitrust.

Wright’s defamation suit… sorta admitted all this?

No, seriously.

In his Complaint, Wright fails to allege any specific false or defamatory statement made by either Ms. Dorsey or Ms. Landry. Wright tellingly concedes the factual bases of Ms. Dorsey’s and Ms. Landry’s respective accounts, admitting, among other things. that he began sexual relationships with Ms. Dorsey and Ms. Landry while they were law students and his research assistants and that he rewarded Ms. Dorsey and Ms. Landry with professional opportunities during the duration of these relationships.

He trashed his accusers as greedy extortionists and stressed that he wasn’t a “predator” which the complaint impliedly defines as “forcing himself on someone” as opposed to serially amassing student mistresses. Somehow he fails to grasp that in polite society it’s the admittedly factual stuff hurting his professional reputation.

Dorsey and Landry have lodged a counterclaim citing Virginia’s anti-SLAPP suit. Is Wright’s case a SLAPP suit strategically hijacking defamation law to intimidate people into silence? That will need to get litigated out, but a defamation lawsuit that fails to identify false statements and seeks an altogether absurd amount in damages certainly feels…

SLAPPy.

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Ex-Law Prof.’s Suit Aims To Bury Sex Allegations, Women Say [Law360]

Earlier: Ex-Law Professor Sues Former Students For $108M Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Law School’s ‘Restrictions’ On Professor’s Contact With Students During Sexual Harassment Probe Apparently Didn’t Cover Auctioning Off A Date
We Shouldn’t Have To Say This, But Job Interviews Are Not Your Personal Dating App
Sexual Harassment Allegations Mount Against Former FTC Commissioner & Law Professor

HeadshotJoe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.

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