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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.
6
Practice Areas
34 years | 75 cases
34 years | 60 cases
34 years | 75 cases
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
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Chat withState: New York
Acquired: 2018
No misconduct found
State: Georgia
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Resurgens Plaza, 945 East Paces Ferry Rd. NE, Suite 2000, Atlanta, GA, 30326
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Kenneth | September 11, 2015 | Hired Attorney
I was at my "wit's end" after 16 months with the legal system having charged me with 4 criminal counts. I contacted Counts Law Group on Friday for HELP and Cynthia Counts agreed to meet with me on Saturday at 10:30 (Father's Day Weekend w/Family visiting) to evaluate my case. Come early Monday mornin...
Posted by C. Herman | January 15, 2015
I was served in April '14 in GA; this was the only time I have been sued. It was a terribly stressful time because I was struggling to make ends meet and with two small babies in diapers, my wife and I did not know where to turn for help. I asked the lawyer of a colleague if he knew a good attorney ...
Posted by anonymous | January 10, 2014
Cynthia worked on my trial on false criminal charges that stemmed from a civil rights violation. She has demonstrated a thorough and in-depth knowledge of First Amendment and other constitutional and civil rights case decisions and a willingness to think outside the box. I consider her to be a firs...
Posted by Lisa | September 25, 2012
I have an extensive history of working with Lawyers but I can say that Cynthia is indeed the best I ever had to work with. She was not only incredibly knowledgeable in her craft but she was extremely compassionate. Cynthia is the type of lawyer who gives real personal attention to her cases and ma...
Posted by Peter | November 15, 2011
I hired Cynthia to represent me in a libel and defamation case. She exceeded every expectation. She made constant effort to understand my concerns as a client. She worked exceptionally hard to represent my interests. Then she went beyond that to make sure that I was fully and completely compensated a...
"I am glad to endorse Cynthia. She is a phenomenal attorney who is incredibly dedicated to her clients. She is also one of the premiere libel/defamation attorneys in the State of Georgia."
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2023
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2023
Ranked - Band 5 Litigation, Chambers USA
2022
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2021
Georgia Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
2020
Georgia Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
2019
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2018
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2016
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2015
Georgia SUper lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2014
Georgia Super Lawyer, Thompson Reuters
2013
Top Lawyers In Georgia, The Legal Network
2013
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2007
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1991
First Place National; Second Place International, Jessup International Moot Court Team
1990
First Place Winner, Russell Moot Court Competition
2020 - Present
Partner, FisherBroyles, LLP
2012 - Present
Adjunct Professor of Media Law, Emory Law School
2015 - 2020
Partner, Duane Morris, LLP
2012 - 2014
Adjunct Professor of Media Law, Emory University's Journalism Program
2000 - 2015
Managing Member, Counts Law Group
1998 - 2000
Senior Associate, Dow Lohnes & Albertson
1992 - 1998
Associate, ALSTON + BIRD LLP
2014 - Present
American Bar Association, Forum on Communications LawGoverning Committee
2014 - Present
Georgia First Amendment FoundationBoard of Directors
2007 - Present
A2A4AOrganizing Member
2005 - Present
Media Law Resource Center's Newsgathering CommitteeCo-chair
1999 - Present
American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Media, Privacy and Defamation Law CommitteeMember
1994 - Present
Georgia Bar Media and Judiciary Annual Conference Planning CommitteeMember
2001 - 2002
American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Media, Privacy and Defamation Law CommitteePast Chair
1999 - 2001
American Bar Association, Forum on Communications Law, Women in Communications Law SubcomitteeCo-chair
1998 - 2010
American Bar Association, Forum on Communications Law, Women in Communications Law SubcomitteeMember
Dismissal with prejudice
Dismissal with prejudice
Appellate Affirmation of trial court dismissal of defamation claim
Jury verdict in favor of reporters in defamation claim
Final summary judgment granted in favor of Maine newspaper
Dismissal of defamation claim using anti-SLAPP statute
Summary judgment dismissal of libel claim
Dismissal with prejudice
Dismissal
Dismissed with prejudice
Motion to quash granted
Affirmed Summary Judgment
Dismissed with prejudice
Dismissed with prejudice
Libel claim dismissed
Summary judgment in favor of client
Charges against client dismissed
Libel claim dismissed
Summary judgment in favor of client
Summary judgment in favor of client
Judgment for clients on the pleadings
Claim against client dismissed
Settlement in favor of client
Case led to changes in state rules (favoring client) for vanity license plates
Dismissed case after favorable Georgia Supreme Court ruling
Granted motion for summary judgment because of lack of evidence establishing an employer-employee relationship, without any discovery being conducted
Case dismissed without engaging in formal discovery
Secured Dismissal within two weeks of filing
Dismissal pursuant Georgia's Anti-SLAPP Statute
12(c) motion for judgment on pleadings
Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed
Granted summary judgment in favor of FOX 5 on claims of defamation, false light invasion of privacy, and public disclosure of private facts
Quashed Subpoena
Granted FOX 5's motion to quash plaintiff's subpoena seeking disclosure of reporter's newsgathering materials
Secured voluntary dismissal
Denied Motion Emergency Injunction
Granting camera access
Plaintiff dismissed voluntarily
Granted in part plaintiff's motion for summary judgment
Summary Judgment
Granted motion to dismiss
Granting summary judgment for libel and invasion of privacy claims
Affirmed 12(b)(6) dismissal
Affirmed summary judgment in tortious interference case
Reversal of a 43 million dollars verdict
Affirmed jury verdict
Reversed jury verdict
Obtained $85,000 settlement for client (2012)
Summary judgement affirmed
summary judgment affirmed
1992
JD - Juris Doctor
2012
The Basics of Georgia's Open Records Law
2011
Open Records Requests
2011
Legal Issues Arising from the Use of Social Media
2011
Libel & Privacy 101 for Authors
2010
Alternative Billing Arrangements
2008
Deposition 101 in Libel and Privacy Cases
2000
Ways to Improve Relationships Between the Bar, Media and Judiciary
1998
Answering Discovery Requests
1996
Curbing Discovery Abuses: Answering Discovery Requests
1995
Motions for Summary Judgment and Other Pre-Trial Motions
2016
2012
2011
2011
2010
2009
2008
2001
1996
1996
1996
English
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