Fontani

Marco Fontani sued his former employer, Wells Fargo Investments, LLC (Wells Fargo), stating 10 claims all based on the circumstances surrounding his October 2002 termination. Among his allegations, Fontani claims Wells Fargo defamed him and interfered with his prospective business advantage when it submitted a Form U-5 to the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) that described the reasons for his termination. Wells Fargo moved to strike the defamation and interference with prospective business advantage claims under the anti-SLAPP law (strategic lawsuit against public participation; Code Civ. Proc., §§425.16, 425.17), and demurred to most of the remaining claims. The superior court denied the motion to strike and overruled the majority of Wells Fargo’s demurrer.

Wells Fargo appeals, challenging the rulings on the anti-SLAPP motion and demurrer. We reverse the superior court’s denial of the motion to strike. We do not reach the superior court’s ruling on the demurrer, as it is unreviewable absent a final judgment.

I. BACKGROUND

Fontani’s tenure at Wells Fargo lasted from November 1998 through October 2002. He was registered with the NASD as a broker-dealer…