Explore 19 actual malice standard in defamation court cases in Ohio. AI-powered summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
Statements about felony conviction and disbarment were substantially true
Rose v. Stein, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on April 15, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Rose, sued the defendant, Stein, for defamation after Stein published statements ...
Defamation claim fails for lack of evidence of falsity and malice
Girard v. Adovasio, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 23, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Girard, sued the defendant, Adovasio, for defamation, alleging that Adovasio...
Ohio Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case
Shields v. McCloud, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 19, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Shields, sued the defendant, McCloud, for defamation. Shields alleged that M...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case Due to Lack of Actual Malice
Flippin v. Gray, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on February 17, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Flippin, sued the defendant, Gray, for defamation, alleging that Gray made f...
Public figure plaintiff fails to prove actual malice in defamation case
Ungerbuehler v. Kelly, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on February 11, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Ungerbuehler, sued the defendant, Kelly, for defamation after Kelly po...
Ohio Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Employer in Wrongful Termination Case
Abdulhakov v. Panzeca, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on February 9, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, a former employee, sued the defendant employer for wrongful termination...
Defamation claim fails due to qualified privilege in judicial proceedings
McManus v. Villalva, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on January 23, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, McManus, sued the defendant, Villalva, for defamation. McManus alleged th...
Court Affirms Dismissal of Wrongful Termination and Defamation Claims
Morgan v. Applied Med. Technology, Inc., decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on January 15, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Morgan, sued Applied Medical Technology, Inc. (AMT) f...
Township Board's Termination and Statements Upheld Against Employee Claims
State ex rel. Ames v. Concord Twp. Bd. of Trustees, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on January 14, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, a former township employee, sued the Board...
Appellate court affirms summary judgment for defendant in defamation case
D'Amico v. Zidian, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on January 8, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, D'Amico, sued the defendant, Zidian, for defamation. D'Amico alleged that Zi...
Ohio Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Medical Center in Wrongful Termination Case
Edwards v. Ohio State Univ. Wexner Med. Ctr., decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on December 30, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, a former employee, sued the defendant medical c...
Court Affirms Dismissal of Wrongful Termination and Defamation Claims
State ex rel. Hoffman v. Akron Mun. Court, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on December 26, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, a former employee of the Akron Municipal Court, su...
Defamation claim fails: Plaintiff didn't prove actual malice
Patituce v. Werner, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on December 22, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Patituce, sued the defendant, Werner, for defamation. Patituce alleged th...
Defamation plaintiff fails to prove falsity or actual malice
Holtz v. Gray, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on December 16, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Holtz, sued the defendant, Gray, for defamation after Gray posted allegedly fa...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case
Cleveland v. Renger, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on November 26, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Cleveland, sued the defendant, Renger, for defamation after Renger poste...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case Due to Lack of Actual Malice
O'Brien v. Barron, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on November 26, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, O'Brien, sued the defendant, Barron, for defamation, alleging that Barron ...
Public figure defamation claim fails for lack of actual malice evidence
Sutherly v. Theaker, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on November 7, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Sutherly, sued the defendant, Theaker, for defamation, alleging that Thea...
Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case
Stewart v. Gentile, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on November 3, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Stewart, sued the defendant, Gentile, for defamation. Stewart alleged that...
Employee fails to prove wrongful termination or breach of contract
Mohler v. Univ. of Toledo Athletic Dept., decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on October 30, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, a former employee of the University of Toledo Athlet...
CaseLawBrief currently tracks 19 actual malice standard in defamation cases from courts in Ohio. New cases are added as opinions are published.
Courts deciding actual malice standard in defamation cases in Ohio include: ohioctapp (19 cases).
Outcome breakdown: Defendant Win: 19.