Selendy Gay, a premier law firm for complex, high-stakes litigation, today announced a significant win that ended a defamation suit tied to the Congressional Hearings investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Together with Dunn Isaacson Rhee and Liu Shur Kravis, Selendy Gay helped secure the dismissal of a federal case brought by former Trump administration attorney Stefan Passantino, who alleged he was defamed by former federal prosecutor, law professor, and MS NOW Analyst Andrew Weissman.
The suit stems from a September 2023 social media post, in which Mr. Weissmann referred to Mr. Passantino as someone who coached a White House aide to lie to the January 6th Select Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. These allegations were summarily dismissed by U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia, Loren L. AliKhan, who — in her September 21 ruling — said that Passantino failed to show that Mr. Weissmann knew his statement was untrue. She went on to say a transcript of Hutchinson's deposition to the committee actually supported Weissmann’s characterization that Passantino had instructed her to lie.
“The transcript, far from contradicting Mr. Weissman's statement, supports it,” said Judge AliKhan. “Ms. Hutchinson’s statements indicate that Mr. Passantino repeatedly prompted Ms. Hutchinson to lie.”
Selendy Gay founding partner Faith E. Gay, who represented Mr. Weissman, said in a joint statement with Meryl C. Governski from Dunn Isaacson Rhee and Jonathan I. Kravis of Liu Shur Kravis that the ruling serves as “an important confirmation that our legal system does not tolerate lawsuits that seek to punish speech protected by the First Amendment, to which our client is committed deeply both as an attorney and journalist.”
Ms. Gay represented Mr. Weissmann alongside Corey Stoughton and Rachel Slepoi at Selendy Gay; Meryl C. Governski and Linda “Ellie” Halfacre of Dunn Isaacson Rhee LLP; and Jonathan I. Kravis of Liu Shur Kravis LLP.
About Selendy Gay
Selendy Gay is the premier law firm for complex, high-stakes commercial litigation, including trials, appeals, arbitrations, and investigations. We represent clients across industries in their most consequential financial disputes— thoughtfully deploying our 100+ lawyers with seasoned trial, appellate and investigations experience, strategic insight, and business savvy to every engagement. We show up battle-ready, allowing us to be aggressive when boldness is called for, and to obtain highly favorable resolutions that vindicate our clients’ interests.
