Home > Great American Court Cases > Herbert v. Lando

Legal Citation: 441 U.S. 153 (1979)

Petitioner
Anthony Herbert

Respondents
Barry Lando, et al.

Petitioner's Claim
In a libel suit, a plaintiff should have the right to discover and inquire into the editorial process and states of mind of those responsible for the publication, in order to meet plaintiff's burden of proving "actual malice."

Chief Lawyer for Petitioner
Jonathan W. Lubbell

Chief Lawyer for Respondents
Floyd Abrams

Justices for the Court
Harry A. Blackmun, William J. Brennan, Jr., Warren E. Burger, Lewis F. Powell, Jr., William H. Rehnquist, John Paul Stevens, Byron R. White (writing for the Court)

Justices Dissenting
Thurgood Marshall, Potter Stewart

Place
Washington, D.C.

Date of Decision
18 April 1979

Decision
The Court reversed the court...