Rath, Young and Pignatelli Obtains Landmark Free Speech & Press Ruling from NH Supreme Court in Richards v. Azzi
Attorney Michael S. Lewis obtained a landmark ruling from the NH Supreme Court bolstering free speech and free press rights, today, in the matter of Richards v. Azzi. Representing Robert Azzi, an award-winning columnist, as part of the firm’s pro bono practice, Lewis obtained a ruling from the NH Supreme Court protecting Azzi from liability for the content of an opinion column he published in the New Hampshire Union Leader. In the same decision, the Court resolved the open question of whether New Hampshire recognizes an independent cause of action known as “False Light – Invasion of Privacy” in Azzi’s favor. Grounding its decision in scholarship Azzi brought before the Court in his briefing, the Court declined to expand the risks of engaging in free speech and press by recognizing a new cause of action that threatens those interests. Generally, the decision strengthens protections for public commentary that are long recognized in New Hampshire and ensure. These protections, in turn, that New Hampshire will remain a forum for robust public debate, consistent with its standing as a jurisdiction whose citizens embrace and welcome such debate as part of their First-in-the-Nation political identity.
Superior Court Recognizes Breach of Fiduciary Duty Against State and Contractors in Cases Involving Failure to Protect Children
Senior litigation shareholder Mike Lewis published the following piece in the NH Bar News on developing trends in the area of state civil rights practice, focusing on two major decisions issued by the NH Superior Court in the past year. Attorney Lewis describes and examines how these decisions apply the doctrine of fiduciary duty. He […]
NH Supreme Court Extends Equal Protection to Children in Litigation Against DCYF
Michael S. Lewis publishes a piece in the NH Bar News on a recent decision conferring constitutional rights on the victims of child abuse and neglect in New Hampshire.
RYP’s Mike Lewis and Cassy Moran’s Victory for Free Speech
In an opinion released April 17, 2023, the Rockingham County Superior dismissed a 396-page defamation lawsuit against an RYP client who reported sexual assault allegations to a local media organization. The motion to dismiss filed on behalf of our client argued that the statements she made to the media were protected by the state and […]
Ruling raises the question: What isn’t an enforceable web-based contract?
Senior litigator Michael S. Lewis, also an adjunct contracts law professor who has published scholarship in the subject area, analyzes a recent federal court decision considering the enforceability of the terms and conditions of a web-based consumer-facing platform. Lewis notes the need for attorneys and web designers to be on the same page with regard […]
Michael Lewis and Cassandra Moran Address the Severe Shortage of Attorneys for Criminal Defendants Across the State
New Hampshire Public Radio and New Hampshire Union Leader reported on a New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving a criminal defendant who was receiving inadequate medical care at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections. RYP’s team included Michael Lewis and Cassandra Moran, who were appointed to represent the defendant at the request of the judiciary to address the severe shortage of attorneys for indigent criminal defendants across the state.
Recent Medical Defense Successes
Mike Pignatelli and Adam Pignatelli recently achieved voluntary dismissals without payment of three lawsuits against physicians and two lawsuits against hospitals. Defending medical professionals in every area, Mike Pignatelli and Adam Pignatelli also recently had these successes before New Hampshire professional boards: Vacated emergency suspension of a client’s license at a professional board hearing based […]
