The Paul, Weiss Litigation Department is led by a team of the country’s most accomplished trial lawyers. Our litigators handle the most complex and demanding lawsuits, class actions, government investigations, criminal prosecutions and restructurings. Our clients include Fortune 50 corporations and other prominent companies in the financial services, investment, medical device, pharmaceutical, sports, technology, energy, media and insurance industries. Every day, we are called on by chief executives, board chairs, general counsel, investors and entrepreneurs for our unmatched trial skills, sophisticated business judgment and renowned strategic advice.
Paul, Weiss Wins Rare Injunction in Defamation Case
Practices
A Paul, Weiss team led by litigation partner Andrew Finch has won a very rare injunction against defamatory speech, completely vindicating our client.
Paul, Weiss represented Ray Chambers, the chairman of private equity holding company Wesray Capital, in a bench trial against Philip Scutieri, Jr., who, for more than 10 years and without basis, accused Chambers of stealing from the Scutieri family and using the proceeds to build his fortune. Beginning in 2007, Scutieri began accusing Chambers publicly of "theft," "fraud," and other crimes via a defamation campaign that consisted of regularly picketing Wesray's headquarters, mailing defamatory pamphlets to thousands, including government officials, and maintaining a website that to date has received tens of thousands of visitors.
Paul, Weiss sought to enjoin Scutieri's conduct on the grounds that he was making knowingly false accusations and therefore was liable for defamation and extortion. Achieving such relief is rare because of the Constitutional issues implicated. After a 22-day trial in New Jersey State Court, Judge Stephan Hansbury found for our client on all counts. On April 29, the court entered a permanent injunction barring Scutieri from making any further statements accusing Chambers of having committed a crime.
In addition to Andrew, the Paul, Weiss team included litigation partner Gerry Harper and corporate partner Ken Schneider.