Representing media entities both large and small, Graves, Dougherty has helped shape the development of defamation law in Texas:

• In a case that set the standard for the First Amendment’s protection of parody in Texas, Graves Dougherty lawyers represented a publisher from a defamation claim brought by a judge and district attorney. New Times, Inc. v. Isaacks, 146 S.W.3d 144 (Tex. 2004), cert. denied, 545 U.S. 1105 (2005).
• In a unanimous decision, the Texas Supreme Court rendered judgment in favor of a magazine publisher represented by Graves Dougherty lawyers that was accused of business disparagement. Forbes, Inc. v. Granada Biosciences, Inc. , 124 S.W.3d 167 (Tex. 2003).
• Graves Dougherty lawyers have prosecuted accelerated, interlocutory appeals in order to terminate defamation litigation and related litigation in its early stages. Wang v. Tang, 260 S.W.3d 149 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, pet. denied); Cox Tex. Newspapers, L.P. v. Penick, 219 S.W.3d 425 (Tex. App.—Austin 2007, pet. denied); New Times, Inc. v. Doe, 183 S.W.3d 122 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.).