Evans

SUMMARY

A lawsuit brought by a law firm alleging that another attorney improperly solicited its client was subject to the anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) statute, as it arose out of the attorney’s communications concerning pending litigation, and was not barred by the commercial speech exception to the statute. The plaintiff law firm failed to establish a probability of prevailing on its claim, and accordingly the trial court correctly granted the defendant attorney’s special motion to strike the complaint. However, because the defendant attorney represented himself, the trial court erred in awarding him attorney fees under the anti-SLAPP statute.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Taheri Law Group, APC, sued Attorney Neil C. Evans, asserting causes of action for intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and intentional interference with business relations. Taheri alleged that it successfully represented Alexander Sorokurs and his medical corporation (Sorokurs) in several litigation matters for some 18 months, when Sorokurs “without warning and for cause unknown” discharged Taheri while still owing Taheri more than $500,000…