Jackson Walker partners Chip Babcock and Nancy Hamilton successfully defended CBS Studios, Inc., against a defamation lawsuit filed in the California Second District Court of Appeal. On August 31, 2018, the court affirmed the dismissal under the anti-SLAPP statute and the attorney’s fee award in a 33-page opinion.
The lawsuit was filed in 2015 by a guest on Dr. Phil who claimed that CBS Studios, the show’s producer, breached an agreement regarding the terms of his appearance and defamed him. Show host Phillip C. McGraw was named in the lawsuit, but was never served.
Nancy filed the anti-SLAPP motion, and Chip argued the case on behalf of CBS Studios.
To explore Jackson Walker’s experience defending media clients against libel, obscenity, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress cases, visit our Media practice page.
Meet Chip
Charles L. Babcock is a nationally recognized trial and appellate attorney. Chip’s practice experience includes bet-the-company litigation, First Amendment litigation, commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, government investigations, media litigation, and appellate litigation. In addition to receiving the Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award from the Texas Bar Foundation, Chip has been named a “25 Greatest Texas Lawyer of the Past Quarter Century” by Texas Lawyer and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Meet Nancy
Nancy W. Hamilton has appeared in federal and state courts for clients such as CNN, Oprah Winfrey, and CBS, Inc. Her practice experience involves First Amendment, intellectual property, complex commercial, and media litigation. Nancy is a frequent writer and lecturer on trial tactics and media law. Nancy has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America list for Litigation – First Amendment since 2012.
Meet JW
For more than 130 years, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. Since our founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies in the state in key industries that shaped the course of Texas history, including railroads, the media, and oil and gas exploration. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas, while serving clients around the globe. With more than 350 attorneys in our seven offices, we serve clients around the world in a broad range of practices and industries. Our clients know they can count on us to deliver personalized service, legal experience, and added value.
