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Mario’s Notable Cases
Defamation Lawyer Protecting Free Speech
As an experienced defamation lawyer, I have successfully defended individuals, journalists, content creators, and businesses against baseless defamation claims designed to silence free speech. My notable cases include victories in SLAPP lawsuits, online defamation disputes, and high-profile First Amendment battles where plaintiffs attempted to use defamation laws as a tool for censorship. Whether defending a social media influencer, a journalist exposing the truth, or an individual targeted for expressing their opinions, I fight to ensure that defamation laws are not misused to suppress free expression. Below are some of my notable cases, showcasing my commitment to protecting free speech and the rights of my clients.
Benvenuto v. Brookman, ___ Conn. ___, SC20699
(to be argued10.19.23)
Whether Connecticut will follow Dendrite or Cahill test; whether bloggers are protected by CT reporter shield law; whether blogger can be compelled to surrender laptop and cell phone to police in civil suit to obtain identities of nonparties. Representing muckraking blogger sued by police lieutenant to expose identity of anonymous critics, who were also police officers.
Courant: https://lnkd.in/etBa-Ec6
Pryor v. Brignole, 346 Conn. 534 (2023)
Established right to interlocutory appeal from denial of CT anti-SLAPP motions. Established CT anti-SLAPP statute is substantive, not procedural.
Courant: https://lnkd.in/eGm_tw_g
Cerame v. Lamont, 3:21-cv-1508 (2023); 346 Conn. 422 (2023);
Narrowed Connecticut’s racial ridicule law to a never-used construction.
Volokh Blog: https://lnkd.in/e-z78aic
Lafferty v. Jones and related cases (colloquially, The Alex Jones case) (2022)
Successfully defended against billion-dollar defamation claim. Represented podcast and talk radio distributor to eve of trial. With positional litigation, plaintiffs unilaterally withdraw against client. Only defendant with $0 liability.
Press Release: https://lnkd.in/edFbJ6YT
State v. Frischling, Connecticut Superior Court (2022)
Represented Public Information Officer to volunteer fire department, arrested for capturing photos of accident for department Facebook page. Litigated to dismissal.
Firelawblog: https://lnkd.in/eWpABsWd
The Rimdeed case (not litigated) (2021)
Represented British video game modder as to alleged trademark infringement. Successful negotiation.
Summary: https://lnkd.in/ecajSdX4
Mucaj et al. v. UConn., 3:20-CV-00066 ; State v. Mucaj, Connecticut Superior Court (2021)
Represented students who used naughty word. Prevented school from evicting clients. Also handled criminal defense of one student.
Volokh Blog: https://lnkd.in/eXUq_Zb2
Huerta v. Haughwout, 3:16-cv-358 (2016)
Represented teen who published video of flamethrower and gun attachments to drone in his back yard. Early drone case concerning scope of FAA power. Later used Fifth Amendment to challenge production and FAA dropped case.
Ars Technica: https://lnkd.in/eJqVPCmf
Taub v. City and County of San Francisco, 15-16415 (9th Cir. 2017)
Amicus brief for First Amendment Lawyers Association, on San Francisco public nudity movement.