Wind of Changes

The Clinic helped secure an important victory for free speech on the Internet by assisting in defending against RICO and defamation claims brought by a “spiritual-healing” group against two former members of the group who had started a web site devoted to revealing its true nature.  Students drafted legal arguments in a summary judgment motion and reply memorandum that helped persuade a federal court to throw out the case, Gentle Wind Project v. Garvey (D.Maine).  When the case was re-filed in state court, Clinic students prepared draft jury instructions and assisted with other aspects of trial preparation.  The plaintiffs finally abandoned their claims and settled the case on our clients’ terms shortly before the scheduled trial date.