Defamation claims brought by a former Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik associate against her onetime boss, his wife and the law firm have been narrowed by a Manhattan judge.

Vanessa Dennis, the former associate, alleges that Marie Napoli waged a two-year campaign to ruin her personal and professional life after learning that Dennis had an affair with Paul Napoli, an equity partner in Napoli Bern, which is in receivership and winding down.