Fair Trial/Free Press Conference: Defamation Law and the Theoretical Dismantling of New York Times v. Sullivan

On May 29, 2025, Albany Law School’s Government Law Center convened the Fair Trial/Free Press Conference at the New York State Judicial Institute at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, NY.  

The program, “Defamation Law and the Theoretical Dismantling of New York Times v. Sullivan,” explored the potential consequences of a hypothetical shift in the legal landscape concerning legal protections for the press against defamation claims.  

A distinguished panel of experts from the media, courts, and bar as they explored the legal, political, and ethical issues that could arise in a fictional scenario involving a former elected official and the local newspaper that published an investigative report about acts dating to his time in office. The full scenario is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UICz8A4xLP2v3Agv5V2DO1ERuJs1Cqw8/view?usp=sharing 

The interactive discussion was facilitated by the Honorable Albert Rosenblatt (ret.), former Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, and Rex Smith, co-host of The Media Project on WAMC and former editor of the Times Union.  

Panelists included: 

• The Honorable Stephen Lindley — Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department
• The Honorable Anthony Parisi — Dutchess County District Attorney
• Alan S. Lewis, Esq. — Chair, First Amendment and Media Law and White Collar Defense Practices, Carter Ledyard & Milburn
• Diego Ibarguen, Esq. — Senior Counsel, The Hearst Corporation
• Casey Seiler — Editor, Times Union
• Jim Roberts — Reporter, Peekskill Herald 

The program was presented by the Government Law Center at Albany Law School, New York Fair Trial/Free Press Conference, and New York State Judicial Institute. 

Click to view the video recording.

• Co-moderator: Honorable Albert Rosenblatt (ret.) — Former Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals
• Co-moderator: Rex Smith — Co-host of The Media Project on WAMC and former editor of the Times Union
• The Honorable Stephen Lindley — Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department
• The Honorable Anthony Parisi — Dutchess County District Attorney
• Alan S. Lewis, Esq. — Chair, First Amendment and Media Law and White Collar Defense Practices, Carter Ledyard & Milburn
• Diego Ibarguen, Esq. — Senior Counsel, The Hearst Corporation
• Casey Seiler — Editor, Times Union
• Jim Roberts — Reporter, Peekskill Herald