Legal Opinion
Lewis v. Coursolle Broadcasting of Wisconsin, Inc.
Wisconsin Supreme Court
Decided December 6, 1985No. 84-1881PublishedCited by 16 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtWilliam A. Bablitch, J.
The primary issue involved in this case is novel: can an ex-public official, out of office for three years, be a "public figure" for purposes of a defamation action, notwithstanding his or her complete absence of involvement in the controversy that forms the basis of the alleged defamation?
James R. Lewis (Lewis) appeals a decision of the circuit court which granted summary judgment against him, concluding that he was a "public figure" at the time he was allegedly defamed by Coursolle Broadcasting of Wisconsin, Inc., (Coursolle), operator of radio station WLKE in Waupun, Wisconsin.
We conclude…
2Cases cited18 opinions
- New York Times Co. v. SullivanSupreme Court of the United States · 1964
- Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1974
- Curtis Publishing Co. v. ButtsSupreme Court of the United States · 1967
- Rosenblatt v. BaerSupreme Court of the United States · 1966
- Wolston v. Reader's Digest Assn., Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1979
13 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by16 opinions
- Lluberes v. UNCOMMON PRODUCTIONS, LLCCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2011
- Van Straten v. Milwaukee Journal Newspaper-PublisherCourt of Appeals of Wisconsin · 1989
- Bay View Packing Co. v. TaffCourt of Appeals of Wisconsin · 1995
- Harris v. QuadracciDistrict Court, E.D. Wisconsin · 1994
- Wiegel v. Capital Times Co.Court of Appeals of Wisconsin · 1988
11 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.