Defamation and Reputation Protection

Reputation Matters.
Protect It.

Fafinski Mark & Johnson is a leader in helping businesses to protect their reputations and navigate defamation claims, including both libel and slander.

Defamation and Reputation Protection

Protecting the reputation of your business is important. FMJ has unmatched depth and experience in Minnesota defamation law, at trial in the District Court, at the Court of Appeals, and at the Minnesota Supreme Court. FMJ’s litigation attorneys represent both defendants and plaintiffs in defamation claims and often speak and write on the topic of defamation (which includes both libel and slander).

List of Services

  • Stopping false and defamatory business reviews online
  • Cease and desist letters
  • Defending defamation claims
  • Obtaining insurance coverage for defamation claims
  • Navigating the Minnesota Uniform Public Expression Act
  • Workplace defamation
  • Per se defamation
  • Trade defamation
  • Reviewing draft manuscripts to avoid defamation claims
  • Compliance with the Communications Decency Act

Defamation can occur in written or spoken form, and it is actionable under Minnesota law. A civil award of damages may be available for defamation claims. In addition, numerous defenses may also be available in a defamation claim. For example, a defendant may always argue the truth of a matter in a defamation lawsuit.

If you are dealing with a defamation or reputation issue, please reach out to our legal team today!

Defamation and Reputation Protection Team

Defamation and Reputation Protection Resources

March 2026

Appeals 101 – FMJ Law Podcast Episode 40

In this episode, Anna Swiecichowski and Adam Brown explain the fundamentals of the appellate process, including when a decision can be appealed, how appeals... Read more

February 2026

Are AI Generated Documents Privileged? No, According to a Recent Court Ruling.

AI searches and documents may not be protected by the attorney-client privilege. Read more

January 2026

Event: Protecting Your Business in a Digital World

Morgan Zuehlke has been invited to speak to the Eden Prairie Chamber about cybersecurity issues. Read more

January 2026

Defamation: Minnesota Court of Appeals Clarifies When UPEPA (Minnesota’s Anti-SLAPP Law) Applies to Online Business Reviews

The MN Court of Appeals held that Minnesota’s Anti-SLAPP law does not automatically apply to defamation claims for on online business reviews. Read more

January 2026

Jamie Briones Elected as Shareholder

Congratulations, Jamie! Read more

August 2025

John Ella Chosen for the Employment Law Power List

John has been honored among the top employment lawyers in Minnesota. Read more

July 2025

Defamation and Reputation Protection – FMJ Law Podcast Episode 34

Learn more about defamation in Minnesota, including the new Minnesota Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Read more

May 2025

Minneapolis Adds New Protections for Height, Weight, Criminal Record or History, and Housing Status in Employment

The City of Minneapolis is now one of very few jurisdictions in the country that prohibit discrimination in these areas. Read more

April 2025

Minnesota’s Uniform Public Expression Protection Act Applied in Dismissal of Defamation Case

This could make it more difficult for Plaintiffs to prevail on defamation claims in Minnesota. Read more

April 2025

John Ella and Ryan Dreyer to Present National CLE on Defamation

John Ella and Ryan Dreyer have been invited by Law Practice CLE, a national legal education provider, to present a CLE called “Litigating Defamation... Read more

Other Practice Areas

Agriculture

Agriculture

Our Agriculture group has legal experience in all aspects of agribusiness, including general corporate and transactional matters, farm succession planning, and litigation. Our attorneys also represent many types of cooperatives and independent elevators, including grain, feed, chemical, and fuel.
Appellate

Appellate

Our Appellate group has years of experience in assessing, briefing, and arguing appeals at all levels of courts throughout the United States. We have the ability to synthesize and analyze the record and the law, as well as narrow the case focus to those issues most likely to bring client benefit and appellate success.
Aviation & Transportation

Aviation & Transportation

Recognized nationally and internationally for our experience and insider knowledge of the transportation industries, our Transportation & Logistics attorneys are equipped with immense insight and a practical approach to complex logistical and legal issues.
Banking & Financial Institutions

Banking & Financial Institutions

Our Banking & Financial Institution team includes lending attorneys, bankruptcy attorneys, corporate attorneys, commercial and special asset attorneys, and attorneys with experience serving on bank loan committees, boards of directors of banks, and bank holding companies.
Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Our Bankruptcy & Insolvency attorneys represent creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy, reorganization, and workouts, and appear in courtrooms across the country. Our philosophy is to actively participate in every phase of the workout and reorganization process.
Competition & Trade

Competition & Trade

We work with clients daily to help them better compete in their marketplace, whether that be local, national, global, or virtual. Our goal is to understand our clients’ businesses and challenges and help them navigate the business and legal obstacles to success.
ETA – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

ETA – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Fafinski Mark & Johnson is a thought leader working on the cutting edge of ETA. We value the flexibility and opportunity that ETA transactions provide for our clients, and our team has the capacity and depth of knowledge to handle issues that arise while keeping the the deal moving toward closing.
General Corporate & Business

General Corporate & Business

Our General Corporate & Business group works with organizations of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, across all industries, helping them devise strategies and solve problems. Much of the work we do is contractual – structuring, negotiating, and reviewing contracts.
HR & Employment

HR & Employment

Our HR & Employment attorneys guide our clients through the complexities of employment procedures and policies, employee benefits, hiring and termination practices, and compliance with ever-changing employment laws. We combine our knowledge of the law with specifics of our clients’ businesses to produce optimal outcomes.
Insurance

Insurance

FMJ’s Insurance group represents commercial and nonprofit insurers, and the team serves as outside general counsel to fraternal insurance companies. We advise insurance companies on all aspects of corporate, nonprofit, and insurance law.
Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

Our Intellectual Property attorneys assist with trademark and copyright registration, compliance and licensing, dispute resolution, and pre-dispute counseling. We also have the technical, business, and legal acumen necessary to provide counsel on various intellectual property matters.
Litigation

Litigation

From local courtrooms to the United States Supreme Court, our Litigation group has a proven track record of obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients in a wide variety of legal disputes. We specialize in commercial, general, employment, shareholder, insurance defense, product liability, aviation, transportation, real estate, and appellate litigation.
Manufacturing

Manufacturing

FMJ’s Manufacturing attorneys have been holistically representing manufacturers for two decades. From R&D, through supply chain, operations, distribution, and sale channels, we know your challenges. We have a history of efficiently solving our clients’ legal issues in every phase of manufacturing.
Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers & Acquisitions

Our Mergers & Acquisitions team has handled deals collectively worth billions of dollars. With experience representing buyers, sellers and investors, we have the capacity and depth of knowledge to understand the issues that arise during the course of a transaction and offer solutions to ensure your deal moves forward and closes.
Nonprofit & Philanthropic

Nonprofit & Philanthropic

FMJ’s Nonprofit & Philanthropic group is passionate about assisting philanthropies and nonprofit organizations in carrying out their meaningful missions, paired with their extensive experience in an array of areas, makes the firm an ideal fit to help nonprofit and philanthropic organizations face the many nuances of nonprofit law.
Products Liability

Products Liability

With their expansive product knowledge and extensive experience, FMJ’s Products Liability group is able to handle cases effectively, efficiently, and with their clients' interests always at the forefront. The group has served as regional and national counsel to multi-level international Fortune 500 companies in 30 states for over 40 years.
Real Estate

Real Estate

Our Real Estate team has the experience and practical business knowledge necessary to navigate, negotiate, and manage the nuanced elements of real estate transactions, whether you are a business that has ongoing commercial purchase and sale or lease transactions, you are an experienced investor, or you are investing in real estate for the first time.
Sports & Entertainment

Sports & Entertainment

FMJ’s attorneys provide the wide range of legal services that sports and entertainment organizations need to succeed. We understand that cost-effectiveness matters, so we deliver real value without sacrificing the quality of our advice and representation. Our team works efficiently to solve legal challenges, allowing clients to concentrate on what matters most: their craft, their content, and their game.
Trusts & Estates

Trusts & Estates

Our Trusts & Estates group provides estate planning, estate administration, business and unique asset succession planning, estate controversy assistance and related services to individuals, closely-held businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. We are always accepting new clients and offer complimentary 30-minute initial consultations and flat-fee estate planning to fit every budget.