On October 14th, the Allen County Bar Association will host an attorney discussion re: Wartell v. Lee immediately after the case is heard at the Allen County Courthouse by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Dr. Michael Wartell, former chancellor of Indiana University, Fort Wayne (IPFW) filed a complaint against Lawrence Lee alleging , among other claims, defamation per se based on the contents of a private letter that Lee sent to for- mer Purdue president, Dr. France Cordova, urging her to deny Wartell’s request for an exception to Purdue’s retirement policy. The letter generally referred to Wartel’s character and integrity and Wartell’s request for an exception to the policy was denied, requiring him to retire. Lee filed a motion for summary judgment and the court granted his motion on Wartell’s claim of defamation per se. Wartell now appeals. The sole issue for review is whether the trial court erred in concluding that Lee’s statements made in the letter to Cordova did not constitution defamation per se as a matter of law.

The scheduled panel includes: Judge Mathias, Judge Barnes and Judge Crone

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

1:00—2:00 pm Oral Argument: Allen County Courthouse, Courtroom 1

2:30—3:30pm Legal Education for Attorneys (closed to the public)

Allen County Bar Association, 924 South Calhoun Street