Alexa Nikolas Wins Defamation Ruling Against Bryan Freedman

Alexa Nikolas, the founder of advocacy organization Eat Predators, has won a key ruling in her defamation lawsuit against Hollywood power lawyer Bryan Freedman. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied Freedman's bid to dismiss the case, finding that Nikolas has established a probability of prevailing on defamation claims accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

The lawsuit stems from Freedman's representation of Nikolas' ex-husband, Michael Milosh, in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by Nikolas in August 2021. Nikolas had staged a protest outside Freedman's office in 2022, highlighting a no-fault settlement Freedman made in 1991 after being accused of sexual assault. Around the same time, a smear website and social media activity were created to discredit and defame Nikolas.

The court's ruling allows Nikolas' case to proceed, with Judge Michael Whitaker finding that she is a limited public interest figure and that the alleged statements arise in connection with her role in that public interest dialog. The ruling comes after evidence was discovered in a separate lawsuit filed by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer, which identified Freedman as being involved with some of the smear sites.

Publicist Stephanie Jones has also made similar accusations in her own lawsuit, alleging that Freedman and others were involved in creating smear sites targeting women. The court's decision to deny Freedman's anti-SLAPP motion in full means that Nikolas' lawsuit can now move forward.

## What happens next The ruling is a significant victory for Nikolas, who has been advocating for victims of sexual abuse and harassment through her organization Eat Predators. The case will now proceed, with Nikolas seeking damages for the alleged smear campaign against her. The outcome of the case could have implications for the use of smear tactics in Hollywood and the accountability of those who engage in such behavior.

## Why it matters The case highlights the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry, and the ways in which powerful figures may use smear tactics to silence their accusers. Nikolas' advocacy work and her lawsuit against Freedman are part of a larger effort to hold perpetrators accountable and create a safer and more supportive environment for victims of abuse. The ruling is a significant step forward in this effort, and could have far-reaching implications for the industry as a whole.