Our firm aggressively defends against meritless lawsuits by filing Anti-SLAPP motions at the outset of the case. A special motion to strike under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, the so-called Anti-SLAPP statute (SLAPP standing for "Strategic Litigation against Public Participation") provides a summary procedure by which defendants may dispose of meritless lawsuits at the pleading stage and thus avoid the cost and delays of lengthy litigation. If successful, the defendant can also recover attorneys' fees for bringing the motion.
Attorney Gabriele M. Lashly obtained a complete victory by filing an Anti-SLAPP motion in a lawsuit where the plaintiff, a former member and registered sex offender, sued the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, a non-profit organization, for intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of Megan's Law because its staff and Board members discussed the plaintiff's status as a registered sex offender. Plaintiff was seeking over $500,000.00 in damages. The Los Angeles County Superior Court dismissed the entire action after following Slaughter & Reagan, LLP's argument that the lawsuit interfered with our client's right to free speech and that plaintiff, as a registered sex offender, could not prove that the discussion about his status as a sex offender inflicted serious emotionally distress. The Court also made clear that such discussions are protected under Megan's Law and that plaintiff could not recover damages for merely sharing information about this sex offense.