March 12, 2025
ShareKelley Kronenberg Secures Appellate Victory in High-Profile Defamation Case
Kelley Kronenberg Practice Partner Kaitlin Coyle, collaborating with our indispensable co-counsel, achieved a significant appellate victory in Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal. Their teamwork successfully defended a client against defamation claims that carried multi-million-dollar exposure.
The case initiated when the plaintiffs filed a voluminous 40-page complaint asserting various defamation claims against multiple defendants. The defense team argued that despite its length, the complaint failed to allege any statements that would be considered defamatory on their face—a fundamental requirement for such claims.
The trial court agreed with this assessment and eventually dismissed the plaintiffs’ complaint with prejudice. Unwilling to accept this outcome, the plaintiffs appealed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, where Kaitlin Coyle and co-counsel presented compelling legal arguments supporting the dismissal.
In a significant victory, the appellate panel unanimously affirmed the lower court’s ruling, maintaining the dismissal with prejudice. This outcome not only protected the client from substantial financial exposure but also reinforced important legal principles regarding the specificity required in defamation pleadings.
This win exemplifies Kelley Kronenberg’s appellate advocacy capabilities and the firm’s commitment to developing effective defense strategies in complex, high-profile litigation.
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