Laurence Davis v. Norman M. Littell

MERRILL, Circuit Judge:

The question presented by this appeal is whether appellee, by virtue of his position as general counsel for the Navajo Tribe, was entitled to assert absolute privilege as to defamatory statements made by him within the scope of his official duties.

Suit was brought by appellant in the District Court for the District of Arizona, with jurisdiction founded on diversity of citizenship. Both parties are non-Indians who were employed by the Navajo Tribe at the time of the alleged defamation: appellee as general counsel, appellant as his assistant. Appellant alleges that due to…