What is defamation, and do I have a case?

Defamation is a false statement of fact — published to a third party — that damages your reputation. To have a viable case, the statement must be provably false (not just an opinion), it must have been made to someone other than you, and it must have caused measurable harm. Public figures face a higher bar: they must also show the defendant acted with actual malice. We evaluate every potential case along these three axes and give you a candid assessment.

How much is a defamation lawsuit worth?

It depends on the falsity of the statement, the reach of the publication, and the defendant's ability to pay. Our $15 million settlement against ABC News reflects a statement broadcast to millions with a well-funded defendant. Cases involving smaller audiences or less financially capable defendants typically resolve for less. We tell clients honestly what a realistic range looks like before we file.

Do I need a lawyer to sue for defamation?

Technically no — but defamation law is among the most fact-intensive and procedurally complex areas of civil litigation. Public figure status, the actual malice standard, qualified and absolute privileges, and the single-publication rule are all threshold issues that can end a case before it reaches a jury. An experienced defamation attorney evaluates these before you spend anything.

What is the difference between libel and slander?

Libel is written or published defamation — articles, social media posts, broadcast statements, and books all qualify. Slander is spoken defamation. In practice, the distinction matters less than it once did, since most harmful false statements today are published in some form. Florida courts treat both under the same general framework, though certain categories of statements (called slander per se) are presumed to cause harm without proof of specific damages.

Can a business sue for defamation?

Yes. Trade libel — also called commercial disparagement — applies when false statements damage a business's products, services, or commercial reputation. We handle business defamation claims including competitor disparagement, false reviews, and statements made in press coverage that harm a company's standing with investors, clients, or the public.

What does franchise litigation involve?

Franchise disputes typically center on wrongful termination, territory encroachment, FDD disclosure failures, royalty disputes, and non-compete enforcement. We represent both franchisors and franchisees — including obtaining a preliminary injunction that prevented the wrongful termination of a multi-unit franchisee's entire portfolio, and defeating a motion to compel individual arbitration against 44 consolidated sub-franchisors.

How long does a commercial lawsuit take?

In federal court in South Florida, most contested commercial cases take 18–36 months from filing to trial — longer if there are extensive discovery disputes or appeals. Many cases settle earlier through mediation. We provide a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you updated at every inflection point.

Do you handle cases outside of Florida?

Yes. Alejandro Brito is admitted in the S.D. Florida, M.D. Florida, N.D. Illinois, E.D. Wisconsin, and the Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits. Active cases include matters filed in the Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, and District of Connecticut. We handle high-stakes matters nationally.

Track Record

Notable Results

The cases below are matters of public record — filed in federal and state courts, covered by national press, and resolved on the record. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

$15M+

Confirmed Public Settlements

11+

High-Profile Cases Filed

$70B+

Total Value of Active Claims

2006

Best Lawyers Recognition Since

Landmark Settlements

DefamationSETTLED — $15 Million

$15,000,000

Trump v. ABC News / George Stephanopoulos

1:24-cv-21050 · S.D. Fla. · Filed March 2024 · Resolved December 2024

In 2024, ABC News agreed to a $15 million settlement after anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated on air that Donald Trump had been found liable for rape — a legally false characterization of the jury verdict in the E. Jean Carroll civil case. Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito filed suit in the Southern District of Florida, survived a motion to dismiss before Judge Cecilia Altonaga, and fought to secure one of the largest defamation settlements in recent memory — plus $1 million in attorney's fees paid directly to the firm.

Bloomberg · NPR · PBS NewsHour · The Hill · HuffPost · Newsweek

Favorable Resolutions

DefamationSETTLED — Full Public Apology

$100M Claimed

Grant Cardone v. John H. Legere

2024-000534-CA-01 · 11th Jud. Cir., Miami-Dade · Filed January 2024

In 2025, real estate mogul Grant Cardone secured a full public apology from former T-Mobile CEO John Legere, who had called him "the biggest bullshit artist on the planet" and "a con man of the highest order" in a viral group chat seen by thousands. Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito fought through a denied motion to dismiss and drove the $100 million defamation case to mediation, securing what Brito described as "a full-throated apology — not the standard language we see in a lot of these cases."

DefamationMTD DENIED — March 2026

Motion to Dismiss Denied

Dr. Carlon Colker / Peak Wellness v. Ann Callis

3:25-cv-00711 · D. Conn. · Filed May 2025

In 2026, Judge Sarah Russell denied the motion to dismiss in Dr. Carlon Colker's defamation suit against attorney Ann Callis, who had publicly stated Colker violated ethical and medical standards while treating Janel Grant in the Vince McMahon/WWE litigation. Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito argued that extra-judicial press statements do not carry absolute litigation privilege — the court agreed, ruling Colker is not a public figure on this specific topic. The case proceeds to discovery.

Active High-Stakes Litigation

Defamation$15 Billion

Trump v. New York Times / Penguin Random House

8:25-cv-02487 · M.D. Fla. · Filed Sept. 2025

In 2025, Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito filed a $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times, Penguin Random House, and multiple reporters over coverage alleged to have been timed to derail the 2024 presidential campaign. The court ordered a streamlined amended complaint in October 2025. A mediator was appointed in March 2026.

Defamation$10 Billion+

Trump v. Dow Jones / Wall Street Journal

1:25-cv-23232 · S.D. Fla. · Filed July 2025

In 2025, Brito PLLC attorneys Alejandro Brito and Ian Michael Corp filed a $10 billion suit against Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch personally, after the paper reported Trump had authored a bawdy letter in Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday book — a letter Trump denies writing or signing. A dismissal motion hearing was held before Judge Gayles in December 2025.

Defamation$10 Billion

Trump v. British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC)

1:25-cv-25894 · S.D. Fla. · Filed Dec. 2025

In 2025, Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito filed a $10 billion defamation suit against the BBC after a Panorama documentary aired one week before the 2024 election spliced together two sections of Trump's January 6th speech 54 minutes apart, making it appear he directed his supporters to riot. Trial is set for February 15, 2027.

Privacy / Tax Records$10 Billion

Trump et al. v. IRS / U.S. Treasury

1:26-cv-20609 · S.D. Fla. · Filed Jan. 2026

In 2026, Brito PLLC attorneys Alejandro Brito and Ian Michael Corp filed a $10 billion suit against the IRS and U.S. Treasury after contractor Charles Littlejohn unlawfully accessed and leaked President Trump's confidential tax returns to The New York Times and ProPublica. Littlejohn pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

Defamation$3.78 Billion

Trump Media v. Washington Post

8:23-cv-01535 · M.D. Fla. · Filed May 2023

In 2023, Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito entered as counsel for Trump Media & Technology Group in a $3.78 billion defamation suit against The Washington Post over an article the company alleged falsely accused it of securities fraud. A federal judge denied dismissal in June 2025. The case is in active discovery.

Defamation$100 Million

Brecka / Workinger v. Elena Cardone

11th Jud. Cir., Miami-Dade · Filed Dec. 2024

In 2024, Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito filed a $100 million defamation suit against Elena Cardone after she posted content on Instagram associating longevity expert Gary Brecka with Sean Combs following the breakup of their 10X Health business venture — creating a false impression of a relationship beyond business.

Commercial & Franchise Litigation — Earlier Record

Franchise Litigation

A multi-unit franchisee faced wrongful termination by a national quick-service restaurant brand, putting their entire portfolio at risk. Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito fought to obtain a preliminary injunction preventing termination pending arbitration, preserving the client's business while the dispute was resolved.

Franchise Litigation

Forty-four sub-franchisors were targeted by their franchisor's motion to compel individual arbitration — an effort to divide and defeat their consolidated breach of contract claims. Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito defeated the motion, keeping the consolidated arbitration intact and the franchisees united.

Franchise Litigation

A franchisor faced overlapping territory encroachment claims across three states from a franchisee seeking to expand its footprint at the brand's expense. Brito PLLC attorney Alejandro Brito fought to protect the franchisor's territorial rights and ultimately secured a favorable resolution.

Commercial Litigation

Represented majority shareholder in a complex business divorce involving disputed valuations, minority oppression claims, and allegations of financial misconduct. Secured a favorable settlement through litigation strategy and forensic accounting.

View Full Case Record →

Best Lawyers in America — Continuously Since 2006

Complex Disputes.
Clear Strategy.
Proven Results.

A Coral Gables litigation boutique with a national reach — handling complex commercial disputes, high-stakes defamation litigation, and franchise matters for businesses and individuals nationwide.

Call 305.614.4071 Schedule a Consultation

As Seen On

What We Do

Our Practice Areas

We handle complex, high-stakes legal disputes for businesses of all sizes — from startups to companies with 10,000 employees.

Commercial Litigation

20+ years of courtroom-tested strategy across federal and state courts.

We represent businesses and individuals in the full spectrum of commercial disputes — breach of contract, fraud, trade secrets, shareholder disputes, and high-stakes business torts.

Defamation Litigation

$15M+ in landmark settlements against ABC News and national media.

Brito PLLC has secured some of the largest defamation settlements in recent memory — including a $15M settlement against ABC News. We handle high-stakes defamation, libel, and false light claims in federal courts nationwide.

Franchise Litigation

Preferred litigation counsel for national franchise systems.

Deep, specialized experience handling franchise disputes for both franchisors and franchisees — from wrongful termination and encroachment claims to territory and financial disputes.

Franchise Law

End-to-end counsel for franchisors entering and expanding in regulated markets.

From drafting FDDs and franchise agreements to state registrations and regulatory compliance, we guide clients through every stage of the franchise relationship.

Corporate Law

Transactional counsel trusted by established businesses from formation to exit.

Supporting businesses from formation through acquisition — partnership agreements, joint ventures, employment contracts, licensing, and purchase & sale of businesses.

Sports & Entertainment

Representing athletes and talent in high-profile contract and IP disputes.

Representing athletes, entertainers, and the businesses that work with them — from contract negotiations and IP protection to trademark disputes and privacy law.

Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Our team is available and ready to help. Call us now or send a message.

305.614.4071 Free Consultation

Track Record

Notable Results

The cases below are matters of public record — filed in federal and state courts, covered by national press, and resolved on the record. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

$15M+

Confirmed Public Settlements

11+

High-Profile Cases Filed

$70B+

Total Value of Active Claims

2006

Best Lawyers Recognition Since

Landmark Settlements

DefamationSETTLED — $15 Million

$15,000,000

Trump v. ABC News / George Stephanopoulos

1:24-cv-21050 · S.D. Fla. · Filed March 2024 · Resolved December 2024

Bloomberg · NPR · PBS NewsHour · The Hill · HuffPost · Newsweek

Favorable Resolutions

DefamationSETTLED — Full Public Apology

$100M Claimed