Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Watson v. Kaminski

To be privileged, the communication must relate to pending or proposed litigation and must further the attorney's representation; there is no requirement that the communication must set forth the specific litigation anticipated.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
OPINION

In 1999, appellant, a prison inmate, attempted to send an extortion demand to Smith Corona Corporation, but prison officials intercepted it and notified appellees. This occurred after appellant and Smith Corona had settled a lawsuit concerning appellant’s Smith Corona word processor. Attorney Robert Kaminski represented Smith Corona in that case and responded to correspondence from Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) officials informing him of the extortion attempt. Kaminski wrote a letter to TDCJ concerning the incident.

Appellant sued Kaminski, his employer Griggs & Harrison, P.C., and Smith Corona, claiming that Kaminski’s letter defamed him. Appellant complained that Kaminski’s letter defamed him by stating (1) that his lawsuit against Smith Corona was frivolous; (2) that appellant had alleged Smith Corona and TDCJ had conspired against him; (3) that, by settling the earlier litigation for $400, appellant had waived any right lawfully to seek money from Smith Corona; and (4) that appellant would attempt extortion again. Kaminski’s allegedly defamatory statements (italicized), in their context, follow:

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
General Counsel Conference Southwest 2024
September 18, 2024 - September 19, 2024
Dallas, TX

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
Women, Influence & Power in Law US Awards 2024
September 24, 2024
Chicago, IL

Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards honors women lawyers who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) 2024
September 23, 2024 - September 25, 2024
Chicago, IL

WIPL is the original global forum facilitating women-to-women exchange on leadership and legal issues.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
DOCUMENT REVIEW STAFF ATTORNEY/LIMITED PROJECT

COLE SCHOTZ P.C.DOCUMENT REVIEW STAFF ATTORNEY/LIMITED PROJECT: Prominent mid-Atlantic law firm with multiple regional offices seeks a Docu...


Apply Now ›
Seattle, WA State and Local Tax Associate

Description: Fox Rothschild LLP has an opening in Seattle, WA for an associate to join our growing state and local taxation (SALT) team. Thi...


Apply Now ›
NO FAULT ATTORNEY

NY defense counsel seeking experienced no fault attorney responsible for cases from inception to resolution, including court and arb appeara...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs