Goldman

This case presents itself as one concerning Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 (section 425.16), the anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) special motion to strike. In fact, the case primarily concerns the scope of an attorney's duty to a former client.

Defendants and appellants Reed Smith LLP, a law firm, and Kenneth A. Goldman, a partner at Reed Smith, for a time represented plaintiff and respondent Oasis West Realty, LLC, in connection with Oasis's efforts to redevelop real estate it owned in Beverly Hills. Two years after Reed Smith ended the representation, Goldman took some action in opposition to the redevelopment. Oasis sued Goldman and Reed Smith for breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, and breach of contract on the theory that Goldman's acts constituted a breach of appellants' ethical duties to Oasis.

Appellants filed a special motion to strike, contending that all causes of action arose from Goldman's acts "in furtherance of [his] right of petition or free speech under the United States Constitution or the California Constitution in connection with a public issue." (§ 425.16, subd. (b)(1).) The trial court held…