NEWS
Chambers USA Ranks Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch Among Nation’s Top Law Firms
In its 2025 USA Guide, Chambers and Partners has awarded Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP a prestigious Band 1 ranking in First Amendment Litigation (Mainly Plaintiff), affirming the firm’s commitment to excellence in legal advocacy. This accolade follows the firm’s recognition in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Defamation / Reputation Management.
WASHINGTON, DC (June 5, 2025) - In its 2025 USA Guide, Chambers and Partners has awarded Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP a prestigious Band 1 ranking in First Amendment Litigation (Mainly Plaintiff), affirming the firm’s commitment to excellence in legal advocacy. This accolade follows the firm’s recognition in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Defamation / Reputation Management.
Since its inception in 2023, Meier Watkins has expanded to include eleven attorneys and three paralegals, building a team renowned for its dedication and relentless pursuit of justice in plaintiff-side defamation cases. Clients commend the firm, stating, “You could not wish for a more dedicated, relentless team to represent you.”
All four founding partners—Megan Meier, Daniel P. Watkins, Andrew Phillips, and Dustin Pusch—have been individually recognized by Chambers as leaders in their field. Notably, the firm now boasts more Chambers-ranked partners in First Amendment Litigation (Mainly Plaintiff) than any other law firm globally.
About Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP specializes in plaintiff-side defamation, trade libel, and First Amendment litigation. The firm represents a diverse clientele, including companies, organizations, executives, founders, high-net-worth individuals, and public figures facing reputational challenges.
Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP Secures $8 Million Defamation Verdict for Philanthropist and Investor Christopher Chandler
October 23, 2024
Washington, D.C. – After a week-long jury trial in federal court, the trial team at Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP (MWPP) achieved a landmark $8,000,001 defamation verdict in favor of their client, Christopher Chandler, chairman and founder of the global investment firm Legatum Group.
The case, Christopher Chandler v. Donald Berlin and Investigative Consultants, Inc., Case No. 1:18-cv-02136-APM, centered on a 2003 dossier containing explosive false allegations that were repeated by Members of Parliament and the British press beginning in 2017. After the federal court weighed the evidence and found that those allegations were false, an 8-person jury unanimously concluded that the investigator responsible for the dossier knew or recklessly disregarded the truth about Mr. Chandler.
Before filing suit in 2018, Mr. Chandler offered to settle his defamation claim for a retraction and apology. When no retraction or apology were forthcoming, he pursued and won the multi-million-dollar award, which he intends to donate to charity.
This verdict sends a powerful message about the legal consequences of spreading and refusing to retract malicious falsehoods.
MWPP’s trial team was led by founding partners Daniel Watkins and Megan Meier, with critical support from of counsel Mark Thomson, senior associate Amy McCann Roller, and litigation professionals Kayla Mozier, Alexis Chandler, and Kayla Bussert.
"We're elated that the jury cut through the web of deceit and delivered a verdict that will echo through the halls of justice for years to come. This is more than just a win — it's a statement, loud and clear, that the truth still prevails," said Mr. Watkins.
“We hope that the jury’s unanimous verdict sends a clear message to everyone who sells defamatory lies for profit,” added Ms. Meier. “Accountability is coming.”
This victory underscores MWPP’s reputation as a leader in high-stakes defamation and reputation defense cases, reinforcing their commitment to securing justice for clients whose reputations have been unfairly attacked.
Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch is featured in Law.com for winning second largest defamation verdict in D.C.
Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch helped a New Zealand businessman vindicate his reputation in a libel lawsuit.
Read more here.
Chambers & Partners Recognizes Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP as Top-Tier Firm for Defamation / Reputation Management in 2024 High Net Worth Guide
Each year, Chambers & Partners interviews thousands of clients and peers to produce the world's definitive ranking of legal talent. In the Chambers 2023 High Net Worth edition, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch founding partners Megan L. Meier and Andy Phillips are listed among the ten best attorneys in the United States for Defamation/Reputation Management.
"Megan Meier is a brilliant attorney. She knows defamation law, she has her finger on the pulse of the space and is a fantastic analytical lawyer," said one industry observer.
Andy Phillips "advises wealthy and well-known clients on defamation and privacy matters," Chambers reported.
This is the second year in a row that Megan and Andy have received the prestigious recognition.