For “Times” Suit, Iseman Taps Lawyer Who Wrote the Book

Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman has chosen Rodney Smolla, dean of Virginia’s Washington & Lee School of Law, to represent her in her defamation suit against The New York Times.

In February of last year, The Times published an article that claimed Iseman has an “illicit and inappropriate” romantic relationship with Senator and then Republican presidential candidate John McCain. The article also accused Iseman of exploiting her friendship with McCain to the benefit of her clients.

Smolla is the author of a book called Suing the Press. He has written numerous articles, books, and treatises on First Amendment issues. In 1996, Smolla successfully argued in front of the Supreme Court on behalf of the families of three murder victims, in a suit against the publisher of a murder instruction manual used by a hit man.

Iseman, a partner at Arlington lobbying firm Alcade & Fay, is suing The Times for $27 million.

Smolla will be working with W. Coleman Allen Jr., a name partner at Richmond, Virginia’s Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen (we’re not sure which Allen he is). He told told The BLT that Iseman’s case offers a chance to “reinforce the core principles of what is legally protected journalism” by showing that The Times’ article is defamatory in its alleged claim of an inappropriate relationship.

Via The BLT.