I don't get the damages. Defamation is an economic tort. How was an election worker economically injured to the tune of $150 Million?

To the extent it represents punitive damages, it's one things to penalize, and another to ruin a person. The latter could be a violation of the eighth amendment.

I also don't understand why he wouldn't be protected by the litigation privilege, since his acts were in furtherance of a representation and several court proceedings. The litigation privilege is very comprehensive. A party or attorney can say the most slanderous shit in furtherance of litigation, even if prior to filing, and be completely immune.