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Lee v. Paulsen

Oregon Supreme Court

273 Or. 103 (1975)

Facts

James Lee (plaintiff), a teacher, received a letter from his employer school district. The letter notified Lee that his contract would not be renewed. The letter gave no reasons. Lee wrote to the school district’s lawyer asking for an explanation and a hearing. The district’s lawyer responded with a letter giving specific reasons, which Lee asserted were defamatory, and informing Lee that at the hearing, the district would give no evidence and allow no questioning of the board members to clarify its reasoning. At the hearing, Lee’s attorney asked the district to state the contents of the letter that contained the defamatory information about Lee. Lee sued the school officials and district board members (defendants) for defamation. The trial court ruled in favor of the school district. Lee appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Denecke, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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