Hudacko
Hudacko v. The Regents of the University of California
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 EDWARD ALLYN HUDACKO, Case No. 23-cv-05316-SI
Plaintiff,
ORDER DENYING ANTI-SLAPP
v. SPECIAL MOTIONS TO STRIKE
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF Re: Dkt. Nos. 33, 34 CALIFORNIA, et al., 11 Defendants.
13 Before the Court are two special motions to strike pursuant to California’s anti-SLAPP 14 statute filed by defendants Bigger and Underhill. Dkt. Nos. 33, 34. Plaintiff opposes both motions. 15 Dkt. Nos. 47, 48. For the reasons set forth below, the Court DENIES both motions. 16 The facts of this case are set forth in the order on defendants’ motions to dismiss at Dkt. No. 17 86 and are incorporated here by reference.
LEGAL STANDARD
20 The California Legislature passed California Civil Procedure Code section 425.16 to address 21 “a disturbing increase” in Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (“SLAPPs”), or suits 22 brought “primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and 23 petition for the redress of grievances.” Cal. Civ.…