Jackson Walker partner John K. Edwards was quoted in a Jan. 9, 2015, Texas Lawbook article titled “Jackson Walker Gets the Latest Win in Epic Media Law Showdown,” regarding a significant appellate victory Jackson Walker recently achieved for its clients.
The case involved a libel claim brought by Wade Brady (son of former Chief Deputy Craig Brady of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department) against reporter LeaAnne Klentzman and newspaper publisher Carter Publications, Inc. d/b/a The West Fort Bend Star. On December 18, 2014, the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas reversed the trial court’s judgment awarding damages on a jury verdict to the plaintiff, Mr. Brady, and remanded the case for a new trial.
Regarding the significance of the appellate decision, Mr. Edwards told The Texas Lawbook: “When people speak on matters of public concern involving law enforcement, public officials and how our government operates, it is important that speech be robust, and wide open and not easily shut down. This opinion imposes stricter requirements on people who want to punish speech about matters of public concern, and thatβs a good thing.”
To read the Texas Lawbook article (subscription required), CLICK HERE. The case also received coverage in the Houston Chronicle, Fort Bend Star, Fort Bend Independent, and TABulletin (Texas Association of Broadcasters newsletter).
