Van Tine worked as a physician at Washington University School of Medicine. Lovelace was a medical assistant assigned to Van Tine's team. Lovelace allegedly told Van Tine that she "doesn't like working with white people."

Van Tine reported the comment to Lovelace's supervisor, who fired Lovelace. Lovelace sued Van Tine for defamation. The trial court dismissed Lovelace's claim on the ground that under the intra-corporate immunity rule, Van Tine's statement did not constitute publication to a third party. Lovelace appealed.

ISSUE

Did Van Tine publish his allegedly defamatory statement to a third party?

Remember, that in legal cases, we follow the IRAC formula.

I - Issue

R - Rule

A - Application

C - Conclusion

If you do not cite the legal rules in your answers then you will not receive marks. You must answer each case with the appropriate terminology and legal rules.