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Herman Cain: Lin Wood v. Gloria Allred

Herman Cain is now represented by prominent Atlanta libel/defamation attorney Linn Wood, who previously represented the parents of JonBenet Ramsey, Richard Jewell, Gary Condit and the accuser in the Kobe Bryant Case. (He did not represent Kobe, as reported by the National Journal and ABA Journal, which should know better.) The National Journal reports he represented "Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, whom Wood served as co-counsel in a federal civil-action rape case." Here's the Complaint in the accuser's federal suit, signed on page 8 by Lin Wood.[More...]

You can't get a better lawyer in this field than Lin Wood.

Have Lin and Gloria faced off before? I'm not finding any cases. But as between the two, my money's on Lin Wood.

Wood said today he wasn't planning a lawsuit for Cain. No surprise, since Sharon Bialek has no money. But I can't help but wonder if he's considering suing Gloria. That would be a fun case to follow.

(Another media factual error: Lin represented Howard K. Stern, boyfriend of Anna Nicole Smith as well as The Estate of Anna Nicole Smith. Stern was not, as the Washington Post reports, the father of Anna Nicole Smith's child. DNA tests proved Larry Birkhead was the father.)

Update: Even the New York Times also reports Lin Wood represented Kobe Bryant.

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  • Display: Sort:
    On what grounds would he sue Gloria Allred? (none / 0) (#1)
    by Angel on Tue Nov 08, 2011 at 10:36:01 PM EST


    Defamation (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by MKS on Tue Nov 08, 2011 at 11:49:21 PM EST
    But Cain suing would open him up to all kinds of discovery....

    Parent
    I think, but I'm not sure (none / 0) (#5)
    by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 01:54:05 AM EST
    that Cain isn't quite that nuts.

    Parent
    Not sure, I'm not (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Nov 08, 2011 at 10:42:42 PM EST
    a civil lawyer. But if anyone can find such a ground, it would be Lin.

    Parent
    one thing is sure (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by nolo on Tue Nov 08, 2011 at 10:48:04 PM EST
    If there is a civil suit, the discovery will be a full cavity search.

    Parent
    Cain's a public figure (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by scribe on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 07:34:43 AM EST
    so that means any defamation suit has to be able to prove "Actual malice", i.e., publication of a falsehood with no regard for the truth or lack of it.

    Frankly, I can't think of a single case since New York Times v. Sullivan in 1964 in which a public figure (like a presidential candidate) has ultimately won a verdict that was sustained on appeal.  That's because of the First Amendment - every defamation case involves the First Amendment.  For a recent case called a primer on New Jersey defamation law (which closely hews to federal law because of the First Amendment), see Trump v. O'Brien, decided September 7 of this year.  The Donald sued, saying he'd been libelled by a book that raised questions about his claims of wealth.  The author won on summary judgment.  The court felt obliged to note that evaluating the truth of the Donald's wealth - the author's job - was complicated by "... Trump's astonishing ability to prevaricate. . . ." and thus it as even more diffuclt than usual to say the author published falsehoods either intentionally or with reckless disregard for the truth.

    Frankly, Cain hiring a prominent libel lawyer smacks more of a rich man using his money and influence to intimidate a poorer woman, already once his victim, by threatening further impoverishment.  Libel defense is difficult and expensive.

    But that's all it is - Cain thugging it up.


    Parent

    Agreed. And, (none / 0) (#12)
    by KeysDan on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 10:36:53 AM EST
    (a) for the chilling effect and (b) for p.r. purposes--continued denial with the statement of legal action in progress, no further comment possible.  

    Parent
    All this Cain sh*t coming out... (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 08:50:50 AM EST
    sure does bring new meaning to "Blame Yourself!" doesn't it?

    Starting to really feel like the oligarchs wanna bring back the fuedal system full force, with prima nocta rights for nobles.

    Maybe if (none / 0) (#9)
    by jbindc on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 09:18:01 AM EST
    Better people were able to successfully run for office, they would step up, instead of what we have.

    Parent
    I hear ya... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 09:45:12 AM EST
    it would be nice if ya didn't need 100 million dollars to run for office.

    But the real problem is everybody who would be good at it is smart and sane enough to pursue other endeavors.  It's a dirty business, and the higher up the ladder ya go the dirtier it gets.

    Parent

    Exactly (none / 0) (#11)
    by jbindc on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 10:27:20 AM EST
    About Gerald the Navy guy. (none / 0) (#13)
    by Gerald USN Ret on Wed Nov 09, 2011 at 04:09:13 PM EST
    Some of you might wonder why a retired Navy guy who loves the sea and ships more than anything except his children, frequents Talk Left.

    Well, my dad was a Lawyer.  I grew up hearing about Law, the Courthouse, as well of course, Politicians.

    Oh, he and I had some arguments back then, but now he has passed on.

    Still I remember things my dad told me.  Some of which I can't repeat in "good genteel" company.

    Once I asked him about what would a lawyer (not him) say about a particular civil law suit, concerning property.

    Dad said that two things would happen if you went to a lawyer:

    1. The lawyer will tell you that "we can prevail."
    2. The lawyer will make money.

    Lord the money must be gushing.