Dealing with Defamation

[Laurel Scott]

Well, I'm sure many of you saw the exchange that was deleted and some of you know the person doing it has now begun posting defamatory statements about me on other forums. This person was never my client.

I'm doing my best to take it in stride. The more successful and well known one gets, the more likely one is to have to deal with defamation and frivolous lawsuits and that type of thing. Look at all the bad things people say about Barack! But I think there is enough about me out there in general on the forums where people would care about the statements, that what he writes will not be ALL they hear about me. I'm trying to do some damage control and warn moderators of the various forums that if they don't remove the defamatory statements, the law allows for them to be joined in a defamation suit. But while doing damage control, emotion-wise I'm working on accepting this as part of having a reputation that's worth protecting.

[Cherokee]

That would have been really upsetting for me too. I actually got upset just reading his posts! He definitely comes across as an irate person on his posts, and I think that will translate to readers.

[nineten]

What'd we miss? It's "that inquiring minds want to know" thing?

Thanks for the announcement expressing your concern but I'd just take it as I always do whenever I've been talked about or called the B-word. I just laugh and figure I said or did something right and the other person didn't like it and got p.o.'d because it didn't agree with them. I've had it to happen when somebody wanted my attention and didn't get it. I'm not popular but run circuits of a great number of people geographically that word travels fast but others make their own determinations in the end. I kinda like it actually, doesn't bother me! (lol)

You do have more of a reputation you wish to protect so I can understand your every concern. It goes along especially with being an attorney and desiring it to squashed.

Actually bad publicity oftentimes brings around positive publicity. People like dirty laundry but ultimately they see through it using their better judgement. I've literally seen it happen to others and I also have experienced it.

I wonder if a person can be be sued for libel if what they say can be proved true such as akin to content written by an author in a published book? Curious.

[y14gemini]

I guess I missed it too! Keep your head up high (which I know you are) and keep on going!

[LilB]

...and I think that will translate to readers.

Very well said, Cherokee.

[jsierra1982]

i missed it too...but it sounds frustrating. however, when hotheads write, it usually does come across that they are hotheads...

[starlynnb]

We all respect you and some just feel to take there frustration out on someone special. You know who you are to all of us. Hang in there!

[Laura]

Laurel - You have the respect and gratitude of the vast, vast majority of people on this forum.

The fact that in some ways you are "one of the gals" (and provide hilarious comments from time to time) is one reason why we all enjoy your personality on the forum. But, the reason you are respected as an attorney is that you have helped countless members on this forum bring their spouses back to the U.S. And you have provided a wealth of information through your postings, your I-601 memo and the free chats which have assisted many more people who cannot afford an attorney for the I-601.

At the same time, you can't please everyone. Like you said, with more recognition comes more vulnerability to both positive and negative attention. Let it roll off your back. Enjoy your success and know how much so many of us value all the knowledge you have freely shared with us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[christytorres]

I missed it too..what happen?

[ujcdv]

Ok count me in too? I wanna know who "he" is? And what forums your talking about?

Of course it's up to you to share the info if you want.

[Laurel Scott]

Nah, we'll just let it go at this point. Just commenting that I think this sort of thing comes with the territory. As along the lines of what Nineten wrote, yea, its not just about getting one's feeling's hurt. My professional reputation is important to my practice, my livelihood and the livelihood of my employees.

[nineten]

@Laurel All curiosity jokes aside, in all sincerity, I would've liked to have read a few of this person's posts. Out of respecting your wishes, I'll not ask again.

Right now, not out of sheer curiosity or nosiness, I would've liked to have read them so I could possibly discern from their writing, as with any posts on this board for that matter, to attempt to make somewhat of an analysis as to what this individuals feelings, reason, desire, intent, etc. are and to get a feel where this person is really coming from regarding what they are saying and why. Sometimes it's easy to read through it all and see something that another isn't focusing on which results in all of us having a different opinion about what is really going on with said individual. Once that is more visual it makes it makes it easier to find the best strategy in relation to the slander as to how to go about squashing it without bringing more negative attention and actually receiving more positive results in the end.

I'm not condoning anybody's bad behavior. I always like to figure out 'what and why' first before I make any determination as to what is really going on with them. First what's the reasoning behind it and where are they going with this. What's the intent.

Depending on what has been said (I don't know) it can result in more publicity (positive) for the law firm because people will be curious to find out more about this person being defamed. Then their attention will be diverted away from the individual's previous comments when they see other aspects. There are many companies that have profited from negative attention.

I'm not a big-brain but sometimes we can work this to our advantage and come out the winner. That's what I'd focus on to implement strategies to do so, if and when necessary.

[JMRJ]

I think that will translate to readers.

Yes, Cherokee. It translated to me. It made me respect and admire Laurel more... way more.

[nineten]

In general, people have talked, gossiped and slandered since we were kids, throughout our adult lives, and will do so until we're in a nursing home in which will likely be worse! (lol)

Making the announcement here, as Laurel did, is direct and head-on and that's one of the best actions to take when there's gossip and controversy - approach it head-on and make a statement because most don't expect to hear from the victim and like Laurel's response here it helps to play down the gossip especially among members here or anywhere that are aware and unaware. Then again it can stir more curiosity, I won't lie, I'll be the first to admit!

But since Laurel has attacked it head-on, nobody can sit back and think, "I wonder what Laurel thinks about that, what's she going to do, blah, blah, blah."

I was in an extremely embarrassing situation once that I'll never forget and knew there was talk. It was actually funny. In order to put the gossip fire out, I walked up to a few that I knew would talk and were dying to bring it up to me....I brought it up to them first and they were flabbergasted that I'd do it instead of running and hiding and being embarrassed. Upshot, the talk died down real quick because nobody was getting any satisfaction from my confronting it head-on, coming from the horses mouth as it actually had occurred; therefore, killing the gossip. And most importantly, flabbergasted that I laughed at myself! Killed it quick!

There's not many people that confront issues head-on instead of waiting. Makes a big difference out there.

[felixthecat]

Laurel - You have the respect and gratitude of the vast, vast majority of people on this forum.

The fact that in some ways you are "one of the gals" (and provide hilarious comments from time to time) is one reason why we all enjoy your personality on the forum. But, the reason you are respected as an attorney is that you have helped countless members on this forum bring their spouses back to the U.S. And you have provided a wealth of information through your postings, your I-601 memo and the free chats which have assisted many more people who cannot afford an attorney for the I-601.

At the same time, you can't please everyone. Like you said, with more recognition comes more vulnerability to both positive and negative attention. Let it roll off your back. Enjoy your success and know how much so many of us value all the knowledge you have freely shared with us.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

well said!

[aguafria]

You know, I'm sorry that it went this far. It's obvious he had a hard time dealing with the truth. Unfortunately, for some of us, the law causes us to rethink our paths. It's unfortunate he didn't draw inspiration from other members, like bohorquez, when he didn't get the answer he wanted. He could have taken the high road; instead he chose the low down dirty one.

As for Laurel, her work and service to us speaks for itself. Thanks a bunch. We really appreciate you!!

[y14gemini]

You know, I'm sorry that it went this far. It's obvious he had a hard time dealing with the truth. Unfortunately, for some of us, the law causes us to rethink our paths. It's unfortunate he didn't draw inspiration from other members, like bohorquez, when he didn't get the answer he wanted. He could have taken the high road; instead he chose the low down dirty one.

As for Laurel, her work and service to us speaks for itself. Thanks a bunch. We really appreciate you!!

Although I didn't see what was posted, I must agree with Aguafria, so :ditto: to what aguafria said!

[cindy101]

Laurel has helped so many people on this forum. Nobody here would believe a whack job pontificating negative garbage about her... at least not on this forum.

Glad I didn't see it, and glad the moderators (awesome moderators that we have) got it off right away.

Don't take it to heart Laurel... there will always be haters...

[xandtrick]

The issue at hand was an, post after post, increasingly personal attack on a member. In this case Laurel.

This site does not allow any of this behaviour.

The thread was deleted for this reason.

[discoviking]

Laurel:

As you said, this kind of thing comes with the territory - especially in the age of the Internet. I have seen it many times, someone gets honest and accurate information, but it is not the information they want to hear and they lash out at the messenger. Some people just can not handle the truth.

I have not needed assistance from a lawyer in my dealings with immigration, since my case was very straight forward from entering on a K1 in 1984 through approved naturalization this year. But, rest assured that if I ever need the services of an immigration lawyer in the future, you are on the top of my short list. I don't know you personally, but your reputation precedes you. The testimonials from all the people you have helped on this site along with your posts speaks volumes about your ability, personality and integrity, and that is good enough for me.