Legal Question in Business Law in California

Advertising a lawsuit

Is the plaintiff in a civil suit allowed to call their customer base (and the defendant's potential customer base) and tell them that they are suing the defendant and detail what the suit is about? I am assuming the answer is yes. In my case, I am the defendant accused of stealing trade secrets. The suit is without merit and has already been amended to drop the trade secrets claim to ''accessing information''. Still without merit. The plaintiff has poisoned my reputation by advertising to the customer base that he is suing me for stealing Trade Secrets. Do I have any recourse or am I just out of luck?


Asked on 6/30/09, 10:21 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Advertising a lawsuit

Telling people about what you were accused of in court papers is a "privileged publication."

Telling people you did something that isn't in the lawsuit anymore could be defamation.

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Answered on 6/30/09, 11:11 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Advertising a lawsuit

You're obviously involved in messy litigation. This just makes it messier, and allows you a cross-complaint for trade interference, slander and related claims. If you're serious about getting legal counsel to help you, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 7/01/09, 2:18 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Advertising a lawsuit

You're obviously involved in messy litigation. This just makes it messier, and allows you a cross-complaint for trade interference, slander and related claims. If you're serious about getting legal counsel to help you, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 7/01/09, 2:21 pm
Scott Linden Scott H. Linden, Esq.

Re: Advertising a lawsuit

Of course you have recourse. You can file a cross complaint for slander, intentional intereference with prospective business, among other causes of action.

If you would like to discuss this matter further in a more private forum, please feel free to contact me directly at the email address provided by LawGuru or through our firm�s website located at PasadenaEstatePlanning.com

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Answered on 7/01/09, 5:33 pm


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