Webinar Legal & Regulatory

Current Challenges in Defamation Law for Plaintiffs and Defendants

  • Online
  • Cost: No
  • Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
  • Time: 1:00 PM EST

Defamation and privacy law are evolving rapidly as courts, lawmakers, and litigants confront new challenges driven by artificial intelligence, anonymous online speech, and expanding Anti-SLAPP protections. Staying informed is essential for attorneys advising clients on reputation management, media exposure, privacy rights, and litigation strategy.

Join Mark I. Bailen, Partner at Bailen Law, and David S. Wachen, Managing Member of Wachen LLC, for a discussion on the latest developments affecting plaintiffs, defendants, media organizations, businesses, and legal counsel.

During this webinar, you'll gain practical insights on:

  • Navigating Anti-SLAPP laws and litigation strategies in jurisdictions where these protections apply
  • Maximizing and defending against claims for actual, presumed, and punitive damages
  • Addressing the challenges posed by anonymous speakers and online communications
  • Understanding how AI is reshaping defamation and invasion of privacy claims
  • Leveraging key litigation strategies to achieve early resolution and reduce risk exposure
  • Applying the actual malice standard in evolving legal contexts

Whether you represent corporations, media organizations, executives, or individual clients, this session will provide actionable guidance on one of today's most dynamic and consequential areas of law.

Webinar
Current Challenges in Defamation Law for Plaintiffs and Defendants
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Speakers

Mark I. Bailen

Partner, Bailen Law

For over 25 years, Mark has provided legal counsel to clients focusing on publishing and First Amendment law, including libel, invasion of privacy, and copyright. Mark has represented national and local media outlets as well as a range of publishers in digital media, including websites, bloggers and others who publish and disseminate news, information, opinions and ideas. On behalf of clients Mark was among the first to invoke the District of Columbia anti-SLAPP law in 2011 and the modified New York anti-SLAPP law in 2020. He also works closely with, and advises, journalism organizations.

David S. Wachen

Managing Member, Wachen LLC

David S. Wachen’s practice focuses almost entirely on representing businesses and individuals whose reputation and/or speech rights have been attacked online, in the media, or in court. He primarily represents victims of defamation and/or invasion of privacy, but also has considerable experience representing members of the media, authors, publishers, and online posters accused of defamation and/or invasion of privacy. In the past year, Mr. Wachen has successfully represented defamation plaintiffs in three unrelated jury trials, obtaining six-figure verdicts in each. Although his practice is primarily in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, he has litigated disputes nationwide. Mr. Wachen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Dartmouth College. He was a partner at national and regional law firms before starting his own practice 13 years ago.

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