RNWLG Defends First Amendment Protections

January 11, 2024 - RNWLG represented a the parent company of a news outlet and media company defending against claims of defamation and violations of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act. At the trial court, the defendant asserted its rights under Washington’s Uniform Public Expression Protection Act and sought summary dismissal of the claims. The trial court dismissed the CPA claim but held that the UPEPA did not apply to the defamation claims. The Washington Court of Appeals for Division III issued its published decision upholding the dismissal of the CPA claim and reversing the trial court on the defamation claim holding that UPEPA did apply to the defamation claims. The Court of Appeals remanded for further proceedings and ordered the trial court to impose attorneys’ fees against the plaintiff in favor of the defendant.