Overview
Steptoe's success in a defamation suit was featured as the lede story in the September 27 issue of Law360's "This Week in Discipline," a column which compiles sanctions and conduct charges that may have flown under the radar.
On September 20, a New York attorney was hit with a $10,000 sanction for filing a baseless defamation suit on behalf of two doctors against a website that purports to alert consumers about "quack" doctors. The website "Quackwatch" is run by retired psychologist Stephen Barrett, who is represented by Steptoe New York partner Charles Michael.
In their original suit, two New York doctors alleged that the website maligned their reputations when it claimed that the pair would likely be prosecuted in connection with a consulting arrangement with the Chinese government. The complaint also alleged that the Chinese and Malaysian governments backed out of a consulting deal with the pair as a result of the Quackwatch story. In ruling in favor of Dr. Barrett, US District Judge Paul G. Gardephe said that the allegations in the amended complaint were "vague" and "implausible" and that the doctors' attorney refused to withdraw the complaint even after it was demonstrated that its claims were untrue.
Michael tells Law360: "The plaintiffs in this case thought they could use made up allegations to bully Dr. Barrett into silence, and found an unscrupulous lawyer willing to sign his name to lies in service of their bullying. But Dr. Barrett did not bend to their tactics, and we stood up for his First Amendment right to accurately describe the plaintiffs as 'quacks' – which they are."
The full article can be read at Law360 (subscription required).
