Cynthia Counts - Atlanta General Practice Lawyer Reviews & Ratings

My practice focuses on libel, privacy, copyright and First Amendment law. Clients have included  individuals, newspapers, websites, television stations, television networks and entertainment personalities. I am perhaps best known for an aggressive motions practice, and have had success in winning libel cases outright in the early stages of litigation, before expensive discovery becomes necessary.. Recent outcomes: Obtained unanimous jury verdict in favor of a Maine newspaper and two reporters accused of defamation for reporting on adolescent boys’ accusations of sexual abuse by a former police captain (2022); secured appellate affirmation of trial court decision dismissing with prejudice a defamation claim against two television reporters and their station for stories about the appellant’s social media posts surrounding the “Alt-Right Rally” in Charlottesville (2022); obtained dismissal of a defamation claim filed against a New York television station and Nexstar Media Group regarding the erroneous identification of the plaintiff as a man sentenced in a sexual misconduct case (2021); obtained summary judgment dismissal of libel lawsuit against Maine’s largest two newspapers filed by former podiatrist who became embroiled in accusations that veterans were receiving poor medical treatment from the federal government (2021); dismissal with prejudice of a California complaint alleging defamation and Business and Professions Code violations for false and misleading advertising and unfair business practices (2018); significant Ga. appellate decision affirming grant of summary judgment in libel case because plaintiff failed to create a jury question on actual malice (2017); dismissal of a defamation claim against CBS affiliate by physician investigated in cosmetic surgery deaths (2015); summary judgment for a reality TV performer in a libel claim over comments she made on her network show (2015); early summary judgment for hosts of a popular Spanish radio program sued for libel over satirical comments on their show (2015); voluntary dismissal of a libel claim against a whistleblower in a Department of State matter involving alleged contract fraud (2014); and an 11th Circuit order for sanctions of $545,000 against plaintiffs who filed a frivolous libel claim against a Rolls Royce club member (2008).. I have also litigated successfully for clients with free speech concerns: from those speaking out about assisted suicide in a state that tried to prohibit such speech, to individuals facing anti-gay discrimination in requests for vanity license plates, to those wrongfully arrested for verbally criticizing law enforcement, or for uttering profanities a public meeting.. Memberships have included the governing board of the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law; the board of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation; and chair of the Media Law Resource Center’s Newsgathering Committee.. Education: 1992 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law and a 1989 cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.. Honors: Georgia Super Lawyer 2014-present. Ranked lawyer in general litigation category for Chambers USA listing of the country's best lawyers.