Richard Topping, the former CEO of Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions, has urged the North Carolina Supreme Court to decline reviewing his defamation lawsuit against McGuireWoods LLP and its former partner, Kurt Meyers. Topping contends that the firm’s petition for discretionary review is merely a tactic to delay the proceedings.
The dispute originates from a press conference held in March 2018, during which Meyers, representing Cardinal, announced the filing of a lawsuit against Topping. The lawsuit sought the return of severance payments, alleging misconduct during his tenure as CEO. Topping asserts that statements made during this press conference were defamatory, leading him to file a lawsuit against Meyers and McGuireWoods in May 2018.
In September 2024, the Mecklenburg County Superior Court denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment, which had been based on claims of absolute privilege and public official immunity. The defendants appealed this decision, but the North Carolina Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal as interlocutory in October 2025, indicating that the appeal was premature and the case should proceed in the lower court. ([law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/cases/north-carolina/court-of-appeals/2025/25-257.html?utm_source=openai))
Following this dismissal, McGuireWoods petitioned the North Carolina Supreme Court for discretionary review. Topping argues that this move is another attempt to stall the litigation process. He maintains that the case should advance without further delays, emphasizing the need for a timely resolution.
This case underscores the complexities involved in defamation claims, particularly when they intersect with legal defenses such as absolute privilege and public official immunity. The outcome may have significant implications for how legal communications are conducted and the boundaries of defamation law in North Carolina.