Baker Marquart [Waymaker] Wins Anti-SLAPP Motion and Dismissal of Defamation Case Against Client

On November 6, 2020, Baker Marquart won an important victory for its client when a Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted the client’s anti-SLAPP motion. As a result, the judge dismissed the defamation case against the client with prejudice, and granted the client fees and costs.

The judge agreed with Baker Marquart that the plaintiffs violated California’s “Anti-SLAPP Statute,” by suing the firm’s client for alleged defamatory statements made in emails to the City of Los Angeles, reporting the plaintiffs’ use of their property for short-term rental in violation of municipal law. The judge noted that “if this is not ‘protected activity’ ‘nothing is.’”

The client was represented by partner Teresa Huggins and associate Jose Nuño.