In a recent interview with The Recorder, Venable partners Lee Brenner and David Fink, based in Los Angeles, weighed in on two major developments shaping today’s defamation litigation landscape: the sharp increase in defamation lawsuits and the troubling erosion of California’s anti-SLAPP protections.

According to Brenner, 2025 has become what he calls “The Year of Defamation,” driven in part by the cultural impact of high-profile trials like Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard. “The cool kids are suing for defamation,” he remarked, noting a clear uptick in both serious and meritless cases. Fink added that the role of social media, and its ability to spread information widely and instantly, with little oversight, have only fueled the trend.Continue Reading Defamation on the Rise and Anti-SLAPP Protections at Risk: Lee Brenner and David Fink Featured in The Recorder