Bixler

I. Introduction

Plaintiff, George W. Bixler, M.D., appeals from a summary judgment in his malicious prosecution action granted in favor of defendants, Derek Goulding and his law firm, Acker, Kowalick & Whipple. Lisa Langere had filed an unsuccessful medical malpractice action against Dr. Bixler and Glendale Family Services Association. In Ms. Langere’s lawsuit, Glendale Family Services Association brought a cross-complaint for equitable relief and indemnity against Dr. Bixler. After the conclusion of Ms. Langere’s medical malpractice action, Dr. Bixler sued Glendale Family Services Association and its counsel for malicious prosecution. We affirm the summary judgment entered in the malicious prosecution suit in favor of Mr. Goulding and his law firm.

II. Facts and Procedural Background

A. Prior Medical Malpractice Action and Cross-complaint for Indemnity

On March 31, 1987, the San Fernando Crisis Management Center, a Los Angeles County facility involuntarily transferred Ms. Langere to the Edgemont Hospital. She was involuntarily admitted under Welfare and Institutions Code section 5150 because she was suicidal. John Viesselman, M.D., a psychiatrist, and Barry Solof,…