Defended National Rifle Association of America in high-profile federal case involving claims for false light publicity, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault and battery

Conducted the defense of a diversity action on behalf of the National Rifle Association of America in a high-profile case that garnered national publicity and involved claims for false light publicity, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault and battery.  The principal witnesses at the two-week jury trial included the former (Marion Hammer) and then-current (Charlton Heston) presidents of the NRA.  After the jury returned a verdict in the amount of $4.45 million against the NRA, Mr. Karlinsky led his trial team in post-trial motions for judgment as a matter of law and for a new trial.  In September 1999, the trial judge granted the motion for a new trial and vacated the jury’s verdict.  The case settled on the eve of retrial for $450,000, an amount equivalent to the cost of a retrial and post-trial proceedings, funded substantially by the NRA’s insurance carrier.