On December 24, 2019, Judge Patricia O’Brien Sheahan of the Circuit Court of Cook County granted summary judgment in favor of Mandell Menkes’ client, Crain Communications, Inc., in a suit brought by businessman, Joseph Fox. Mr. Fox’ claims arose from the publication of an article in Crain’s Chicago Business, that he alleged was defamatory and portrayed him in a false light. Mandell Menkes argued that Mr. Fox was a limited purpose public figure, who failed to show “actual malice” associated with the article’s reporting on him and his business ventures. It also argued that the article was “substantially true” in light of the facts about Mr. Fox learned in discovery, and also that certain statements were subject to an innocent construction under Illinois’ defamation law. The court agreed, granting summary judgment, and dismissing plaintiff’s case with prejudice.

              For more information, contact: Steven Mandell, Brian Saucier, George Desh