Harvard Professor’s Reputation, Renown Probed in Defamation Suit

Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino’s claims that the university defamed her should fail because she is a public figure and concerns about her research were true statements, Harvard’s lawyer told a federal judge Friday.

Gino, a widely-published behavioral scientist with tenure, wants the court to award her $25 million in damages for the alleged harm the university has done to her reputation following accusations of research misconduct. That request “would make no sense were she not a public figure,” said Douglas Brayley, a Ropes & Gray LLP partner representing Harvard. If the court agrees, it would raise the bar ...