Los Angeles Business Defamation Attorney
In today’s digital and highly competitive business environment, a company’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets. False statements made by competitors, former employees, or other third parties can quickly damage your brand, drive away customers, and result in significant financial losses. If your business has been harmed by false or misleading statements, a Los Angeles business defamation attorney can help you take legal action and recover damages.
Case Results
$3.4M Recovered
Business Litigation
Assisted in recovery ofthe balance of the purchase price for the sale of a business
$2.7M Verdict
Business Litigation
Assisted in obtaining jury verdict for breach of contract and conversion of business ownership, jury verdict only $25k less than requested
$342k Judgement
Business Litigation
For fraudulent inducement of loans, breach of contract, and defamation in false online posts and reviews
$317k Judgement
Business Litigation
For two brothers and their international business after proving fraud, breach of contract, and defamation by a serial fraudster, despite delays, false accusations, and a last-minute bankruptcy filing
Judgement
Business Litigation
For an elderly landlord and trust, defeating all claims by evicted tenants who tried to misuse COVID as an excuse for nonpayment
$385k Judgement
Business Litigation
For a textile manufacturer in a contract dispute, despite a cross-complaint from the wholesaler
$657k Judgement
Business Litigation
Against a real estate agent who misappropriated client funds, using forensic accounting to prove full fraud and conversion.
$398k Judgement
Business Litigation
By enforcing a promissory note, recovering 100% of damages plus interest
$125k Judgement
Business Litigation
Helped obtain a default judgment against an attorney for unpaid loan balance and battery, after securing terminating sanctions for discovery violations
Disclaimer: Illustrative examples of case types and outcomes. Attorneys cannot guarantee outcomes. Results are case-specific and depend on the true facts of the case. More information here.
What is Business Defamation in California
Business defamation or trade libel refers to false statements presented as fact that harm a company’s reputation. Under California law, defamation is divided into two categories.
A claim for libel is made when a person writes or publishes false statements. Slander, on the other hand, covers spoken false statements.
How to Prove Business Defamation in California
Proving business defamation varies in California depending on the circumstances, but in general, you must prove that:
1. A person made a false statement to someone else other than you;
2. The false statement was reasonably understood to be about you;
3. The statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard; and
4. Resulting damages.
Examples of Business Defamation in California
Business defamation can take many forms, especially in the digital age. Common examples include:
- False negative online reviews intended to harm a competitor
- Misleading statements about a company’s products or services
- Allegations of fraud or illegal conduct without evidence
- False claims about a business’s financial stability
- Disparaging remarks made by former employees or business partners
Even a single false statement, if widely circulated, can significantly impact your company’s revenue and credibility.
Remedies for Business Defamation in California
Recoverable damages for business defamation vary and may include:
- Monetary damages for financial losses, such as lost profits or declining sales, or the loss of clients or contracts
- Monetary damages to compensate for harm to brand or reputation
- Punitive or exemplary damages for egregious conduct
Online Defamation and Reputation Management
With the rise of online platforms, defamatory statements can spread quickly and remain accessible indefinitely. Businesses must act swiftly to address harmful content on:
- Review platforms
- Social media
- Blogs and news websites
In addition to legal action, a Los Angeles business defamation attorney may help coordinate strategies to remove or respond to false content and minimize reputational damage.
Why You Need a Los Angeles Business Defamation Attorney
Business defamation cases often involve complex legal standards, constitutional considerations, and detailed evidence.
A Los Angeles business litigation attorney can help you:
- Investigate and document defamatory statements
- Identify responsible parties
- File a lawsuit within applicable deadlines
- Negotiate settlements or represent you in court
- Develop strategies to protect your brand moving forward
Early action is critical to preserving evidence and limiting further harm.
Los Angeles Business Litigation Lawyer Reviews
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“We have retained Hee and Litigation, P.C. Law Firm for all of our business legal needs for over four years, and we cannot recommend them highly enough.
Hee is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also incredibly thorough and detail-oriented. He meticulously reviewed all aspects of our business legal challenges, identifying potential issues and opportunities that we had not considered.
His strategic approach and ability to think several steps ahead gave us a tremendous sense of confidence and security throughout the entire process, especially the trial.
During the trial, he was fully prepared every single day, explaining his thought process to us about why he was asking or not asking certain questions to all the witnesses, raising timely objections with majority of them being sustained by the Judge…At the end of the day he wanted to make sure that we put all of our ammo on the table and we were able to successfully do that.
Hee also communicates very clearly and has been patient in explaining legal jargon and complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand, ensuring that we were well-informed and comfortable with every decision we made.
If you are looking for a lawyer who will provide exceptional legal counsel and support, we highly recommend Hee and Litigation, P.C. Law Firm.”
S. A. (Business, Fraud)
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
“Working with Hee Kim and Litigation, PC has been an exceptional experience. He consistently keeps me informed on every aspect of my case, providing clear details on costs, pros, and benefits of each option. His dedication to my interests is evident at every step, and he ensures I am fully involved in the process.
Attending court hearings with him is reassuring as he remembers every detail and effectively refutes the other side’s claims. His preparation for depositions is impeccable, always calling out any inconsistencies. His strategic advice on when to take specific actions or make motions has been spot on.
His litigation approach is unmatched, and he is highly aggressive in fighting for his clients. He prioritizes his clients, making each one feel like his only case. I highly recommend Hee and his firm to anyone seeking strong legal representation! “
S. A. (Business, Fraud)
“Hee and his team have been our general counsel for years and have handled insurance, real estate, business and collections matters. They are very easy to work with and have a wide range of expertise that is very helpful. Highly recommend!”
E. A. (Business)
Los Angeles Business Defamation Lawyer FAQs
What’s the difference between libel and slander?
Libel is written, and slander is spoken. More importantly, because of the permanent nature of libel, it is considered more serious and harmful, and claims for libel assume that an injury resulted from the act.
What doesn’t count as business defamation?
The two likely defenses to a claim for business defamation are opinion and truth, since neither are considered defamation in California. A person does not defame your business by stating a matter of opinion, even if false. An example is, “this is the worst food ever”.
Truth is a strong defense because a person cannot “defame” someone by simply stating something that is true. You may not like others going around and telling people something that is negative about you, but it is not defamation because you would not be able to prove that it was a false statement. An example is, “he just got out of jail”, if in fact, he really just got out of jail.
What’s the difference between an opinion and fact in business defamation?
You must identify the statement that you claim was defamatory, and the statement must contain a provable falsehood. Statements of opinion, on the other hand, are constitutionally protected. A statement of opinion can also imply or assert a false statement of fact. The law will consider what the statement was insinuating and what implication can be drawn from the statement. The statement, “this is the worst food ever”, looks and sounds like an opinion and is subjective. However, saying “this restaurant doesn’t use all organic ingredients like they say”, is stating a fact than can be readily confirmed or proven to be true or not. It may also be your opinion that you don’t believe the restaurant uses all organic ingredients, but at the end of the day, they do or don’t.
So I can just turn any statement into an opinion and not commit defamation, right?
No. In my above example, adding “in my opinion this restaurant doesn’t use all organic ingredients like they say”, doesn’t protect you from potential liability for defamation. Saying “In my opinion John Jones is a liar”, implies that you know some facts about something that happened to make you believe he is a liar. If those facts that you relied on are incorrect or incomplete, the statement may still imply a false assertion of fact that John Jones really is a liar when he did not lie and is not a liar. Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co., 497 U.S. 1, 18 (1990).