Published in the Midwest Law Journal’s 2025 edition, “Deconstructing Defamation Damages: A Three-Ring Look at Reputation” by William Choslovsky and Sameer Somal offers a groundbreaking framework for quantifying reputational harm in the digital age. The article redefines and examines how courts and experts can cogently put a dollar value on the loss of one’s reputation in an era where online narratives can make, or break, a reputation overnight.
(PRUnderground) December 23rd, 2025
The Midwest Law Journal, the official publication of the Midwest Academy of Legal Studies in Business, has published “Deconstructing Defamation Damages: A Three-Ring Look at Reputation,” co-authored by William Choslovsky, of Counsel at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, and Sameer Somal, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Technology, in its 2025 Volume XXXV issue.
The article explores one of modern law’s most difficult questions: namely, how to quantify reputational harm. In a digital age where information spreads instantly and reputations can be destroyed overnight, the issue has never been more urgent.
Somal and Choslovsky present a practical model for courts, jurors, and experts to value this intangible yet vital asset. “Reputation is both foundational and sensitive. It is a social currency that builds trust, economic value, and credibility,” said Somal. “As Shakespeare wrote long ago: ‘Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I ha’ lost my reputation, I ha’ lost the immortal part of myself!’”
The authors introduce a new framework – called the Three Rings of Reputational Damage – that categorizes harm into three concentric layers: (1) family and close associates, (2) professional and social networks, and (3) the broader public. By treating reputation as a relational construct rather than a static asset, the paper offers a principled approach to assessing damages—especially in high-profile cases shaped by media and digital amplification.
Choslovsky adds, “Damages can’t be speculative, and this article lays out a sound construct for calculating them.”
Dr. Alexandra Lajoux, Founding Principal of Capital Expert Services, calls the work “meaningful guidance for experts, litigators, and decision-makers who grapple with the multifaceted implications of reputational loss.”
This publication extends Somal’s commitment to advancing scholarship at the intersection of technology, law, and reputation management. Through Blue Ocean Global Technology, he partners with law firms, expert witnesses, and business leaders on complex reputation and litigation matters.
The full article appears in Volume XXXV (2025) of the Midwest Law Journal and can be accessed here.
About William Choslovsky:
Bill Choslovsky, a seasoned litigator and restructuring attorney with over 25 years of experience, is known for his practical, solution-oriented approach. A Harvard Law graduate and former clerk to both state and federal judges, Bill combines legal acumen with a strong financial foundation. He has litigated major class actions and counseled diverse clients through complex bankruptcies and workouts. He is deeply committed to pro bono service, earning the U.S. District Court’s highest honor for his advocacy in civil rights litigation.
About Sameer Somal:
Sameer Somal is a respected executive and testifying expert witness known for his relationship-driven leadership and commitment to ethical practice. As CEO of Blue Ocean Global Technology and Co-Founder of Girl Power Talk, he brings a practical, people-first approach to complex challenges. A devoted Abraham Lincoln historian, Sameer serves on the board of the Abraham Lincoln Long Nine Museum and actively writes for leading legal and professional journals on Lincoln’s enduring influence.
About Capital Experts Services
Capital Expert Services provides sophisticated economic analysis, valuation expertise, and expert witness support for complex business litigation. Since its founding in 2016, Capital Expert has established itself as a trusted partner for law firms and organizations navigating high-stakes disputes and transactions.
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