PR-Related Litigation Actions, Defamation, Anti-SLAPP and Privileges

When litigation becomes public, legal teams must be prepared to manage more than the pleadings. Media attention, public statements, reputational risk and litigation strategy can quickly intersect — often before a case is filed or before the full facts are known.

In this webinar replay, Sean R. Smith, founding partner of Continuum Legal Group, and Dave Poston, CEO and general counsel, discuss how lawyers, in-house counsel and communications leaders can navigate the critical moments when a dispute moves into the court of public opinion. The conversation is moderated by Andrea Christman.

The discussion addresses practical considerations for aligning legal strategy with communications strategy, including how to respond when opposing counsel uses media pressure as a litigation tactic or when a journalist is preparing or has published a story involving a client or matter.

Topics include:

• Coordinating legal strategy with narrative control in litigation PR plans.
• PR-related litigation actions and applicable privileges.
• When and how to use cease-and-desist letters and retraction demands without unnecessarily amplifying the story.
• The anatomy of a defamation claim and how PR strategy can affect legal exposure.
• Anti-SLAPP motions as both a legal shield and reputational signal.
• Shield laws and reporter’s privilege, including what they mean when the media becomes part of the dispute.

Whether you are advising a client, protecting an organization or preparing for a sensitive matter to become public, this webinar offers practical guidance for managing the legal, reputational and strategic consequences of high-stakes litigation communications.

Watch the replay below.

About Poston Playbook – Crisis Edition
A crisis communications-focused edition of Poston Playbook webinar series, designed for attorneys, executives, firm leaders and senior communicators. Featuring multiple sessions throughout the year, the program offers practical guidance for navigating high-stakes moments where reputation, litigation risk and public scrutiny collide.