Allen Matkins Team Secures Complete Defense Victory in $100 Million Defamation Lawsuit (Motekaitis v. USI Insurance Services)

September 24, 2025. In a high-stakes defamation case where plaintiffs sought over $100 million, Allen Matkins obtained a decisive summary judgment win. Plaintiffs Paul Motekaitis and Carri Mangelli Kneass’ claims against USI Insurance Services and its employees all were dismissed with prejudice.

Motekaitis and Kneass sued regarding an email USI sent relating to their departure and falsification of documents by members of Motekaitis and Kneass’ team. The federal judge reasoned that, among other things, USI statements Motekaitis and Kneass called defamatory were, in fact, true. The court also disposed of plaintiffs’ other claims, including noting that dismissal of Motekaitis and Kneass’ infliction of emotional distress claim was warranted “especially in light of the statements’ truth.” A copy of the court’s decision is at Govinfo (U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal., No. 3:24-cv-00885).

The Allen Matkins team was led by Partner Baldwin Lee along with Matt Sessions.

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Allen Matkins, a law firm with over 270 attorneys, was founded with deep roots in real estate and has leveraged that foundation to grow and build prominent litigation, corporate, tax, labor and employment, land use, and environmental practices allowing us to partner with clients across myriad industries and markets. For more than 45 years, Allen Matkins has worked with clients drawn to us by our reputation for market leading solutions, pragmatism, exemplary quality, approachability, and our unparalleled network of contacts and connections in business and government. For more information about Allen Matkins please visit www.allenmatkins.com.