The Clinic represents Jim Meaney, publisher of the watchdog blog Geneva Believer. In early 2020, a general contractor, Massa Construction, sued Meaney in New York state court for defamation over Meaney’s reporting on apparent ties between Massa Construction and the Geneva, New York, city council. According to Meaney’s reporting, the Geneva city council has awarded Massa Construction more than $4 million in contracts since 2010. On his blog, Meaney highlighted potential conflicts of interest between the city council and Massa Construction, reported on missing bid records, and questioned the rationale for certain projects. Massa Construction sued Meaney for defamation and libel per se, arguing that Meaney’s blog unfairly suggests that Massa obtained its contracts with the city through illegal means. In May 2021, the trial court granted Meaney’s motion for summary judgment and, applying New York’s recently-amended anti-SLAPP law, awarded attorneys’ fees to the Clinic and co-counsel Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Massa Construction filed notices of appeal regarding the summary judgment decision and fee award. The Clinic and Greenberg Traurig, LLP, continue to represent Meaney on appeal.  Clinic students Corby Burger, Michael Mapp, and Rob Ward assisted on this matter, with Ward arguing Meaney’s summary judgment motion.

The court's opinion ordering summary judgment in Mr. Meaney's favor is available on the Geneva Believer website.

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