Hunt v. University of Minnesota

OPINION

SHORT, Judge.

This defamation action arose when Stanley Kegler, the University of Minnesota’s Vice President for Institutional Affairs, gave an unfavorable reference to a prospective employer of Shirley Hunt. On appeal from an award of summary judgment in favor of the University and Kegler, Hunt argues the trial court erred in (1) ruling there was no jury issue on malice and Kegler’s statements were conditionally privileged because they were given in the context of a job reference; (2) concluding Kegler’s statements were constitutionally protected free speech; and (3) denying her motion…