Ulkarim
Ulkarim v. Westfiled, LLC CA2/4
Opinion
Opinion
Croskey, J.
Monira Ulkarim appeals an order granting a special motion to strike (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.16) her complaint against Westfield LLC (Westfield). She alleges several counts against Westfield relating to the termination of a lease allegedly in violation of a lease agreement. Plaintiff contends her complaint does not arise from protected activity under the anti-SLAPP statute and she established a probability of prevailing on the merits. We conclude that the complaint does not arise from protected activity. We therefore will reverse the order granting the special motion to strike.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
1. Factual Background
Plaintiff, doing business as iWorld, sells accessories for cellular phones and other portable electronic devices. Cellairis Franchise Inc. (Cellairis) is a competing retailer. Westfield owns a shopping center in Valencia, California.
Plaintiff and Westfield entered into a lease entitled short term license agreement (Agreement), dated February 1, 2012. Under the terms of the Agreement, Westfield granted plaintiff the right to use space in its shopping center for retail sales for a period of one year ending on January 31, 2013, in exchange…