Kathleen E. Farley

Defending BuzzFeed and two of its employees from defamation claims brought by two Tuscaloosa law enforcement officers arising out of a BuzzFeed report that raised multiple questions about Tuscaloosa law enforcement's investigation into a college student's allegation of rape against the son of a powerful Tuscaloosa businessman. (N.D. Al. 2022) 

Successfully defended Showtime and three members of the "Billions" creative team against defamation and misappropriation of likeness claims brought by the Cayuga Nation, a Native American tribe, and Clint Halftown, a member of the Cayuga Nation's governing tribal council. The claims arise out of a "Billions" episode featuring a fictional female character identified as a leader of the Cayuga Nation. Appeal of the dismissal now before the First Department. (N.Y. App. Ct. 2021)

Successfully defended author and publisher Simon and Schuster against copyright infringement, unfair competition, and intentional interference with economic relations claims over romance novel. Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss granted in full with prejudice. (C.D. Cal. 2019-2021)

Successfully quashed a subpoena directed at the 2017 documentary series, "Rock and a Hard Place," featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. A corrections officer with employed with the Miami-Dade County program was depicted in the series—and who was later charged with bribery, extortion, and grand theft—sought outtakes from the show, claiming they would help exonerate her. But New York Supreme Court justice Carol Edmead agreed with our team that the outtakes were guarded by New York's Shield Law. She noted that the officer "cites no authority for the notion…that a celebrity known for other endeavors cannot be deemed a 'journalist' under the statute." (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2019)

Successfully represented BuzzFeed reporter Ryan Mac in a motion to quash third-party subpoenas seeking to depose Mac sought by both parties in a defamation case brought by British cave expert Vernon Unsworth against Tesla CEO Elon Musk. (N.D. Cal. 2019)