Gorycki, Miltenberg: Illinois Federal Judge Allows Popular Science Communicator’s Defamation Lawsuit to Move Forward

On July 14, 2026, District Judge LaShonda A. Hunt denied a defendant’s efforts to dismiss a lawsuit arising from a relentless, false and defamatory smear campaign through which, as alleged in the complaint, she explicitly targeted the plaintiff’s career as a science communicator and published author, professional relationships and personal reputation. Though an Illinois resident, the defendant moved to dismiss the case under New York law and for sanctions under New York’s anti-SLAPP statute. Judge Hunt found that Illinois law applied, denied both motions in their entirety, allowed all claims to proceed to discovery. Nesenoff & Miltenberg, LLP partners Kara L. Gorycki and Andrew T. Miltenberg opposed the defendant’s efforts to dismiss the case. The case, Growick v. Meurer, Case No. 25-cv-1624, is pending in the Northern District of Illinois.