Civil Rights › Business Torts

It's Not Defamation if No One Knows It's You -- Sammy Hagar Defeats Defamation Claim

The first element of defamation is sometimes forgotten. The defamatory statement must be about the plaintiff. In most instances that will be self-evident, but sometimes the identity of the person being defamed will be known...more

How to Use the “Wall of Wrong” to Determine if a Proposed Defamation Case is a SLAPP -- Shaheen Sadeghi v. Delilah Snell

The tale starts with an article in OC Weekly. The article was about a guy named Shaheen Sadeghi. The article was extremely favorable to Sadeghi, referring to him as the “Curator of Cool” and discussing his amazing success in...more

Anti-SLAPP Law Does Not Protect Civil Extortion by Attorneys

Despite the prohibitions against doing so, some attorneys can’t resist throwing a threat of criminal action into their demand letters. They apparently think (if they give it any thought at all) that an express or veiled...more

Miguel Mendoza v. Reed K. Hamzeh

Court Rules that Attorney's Demand Letter is Not Protected under Anti-SLAPP Law

Following the prior decision of Flatley v. Mauro, the California Court of Appeal in Miguel Mendoza v. Reed K. Hamzeh finds that a demand letter from an attorney which threatens criminal prosecution is not protected under the...more

Naffe v. Frey, et al.

Ruling DISMISSING Complaint under FRCP 12(b)(1) and Section 1983 claim under FRCP 12(b)(6) with Prejudice, etc.

Per Kenneth White, blogger at Popehat.com: http://www.popehat.com/2013/04/19/victory-for-blogger-patterico-in-free-speech-case/ : "Patrick Frey, also known as Patterico, has been living under the cloud of a frivolous,...more

Surprising Risk of Discrimination Claims for Restaurants Moving Away from Meal Customization

Chicago, IL, April 15, 2013 - Many restaurants, especially upscale and higher-end independents, are moving toward prix-fixe menus, tasting menus, and policies that restrict additions, subtractions, and substitutions. Such...more

Boarding School Review, LLC v. Delta Career Education Corp.

Order GRANTING Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to FRCP 12(b)(6)

Plaintiff operates a website called Community College Review. It received multiple cease and desist letters, which escalated in the severity of their threats, from counsel for certain institutions about which routine,...more

Weekly Brief: DOJ Memo Details Justification For Killing US Citizens  [Video]

Feb. 7 (Bloomberg Law) -- Bloomberg Law's Lee Pacchia runs through the legal news for the week. A confidential memo leaked from the Department of Justice details the legal rationale for the extrajudicial killing of American...more

New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Law Impacts Employers

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act raises a slew of issues for employers that have yet to be fully explored and resolved in litigation. New Jersey employers must have an ongoing relationship with an...more

Employee's Report to Human Resources is Protected by SLAPP Statute

Always remember when reviewing a complaint to see if it is a potential SLAPP that the anti-SLAPP statute is not only about speech, it includes the "freedom of petition for the right of grievances", or simply the right of...more

Naffe v. Frey, et al.

Tentative Ruling on Motion to Dismiss per FRCP 12(b)(6)

Per Ken White at Popehat (http://www.popehat.com/2012/12/10/update-on-defense-of-patterico/): "In early October I announced that I would be joining Ron Coleman in a pro bono defense of Patrick Frey of Patterico's...more

Naffe v. Frey, et al.

Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Strike per California's Anti-SLAPP Law

Per Ken White at Popehat (http://www.popehat.com/2012/12/10/update-on-defense-of-patterico/): "In early October I announced that I would be joining Ron Coleman in a pro bono defense of Patrick Frey of Patterico's...more

Naffe v. Frey, et al.

Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Defamation Complaint per FRCP 12(b)(6)

Per Ken White at Popehat (http://www.popehat.com/2012/12/10/update-on-defense-of-patterico/): "In early October I announced that I would be joining Ron Coleman in a pro bono defense of Patrick Frey of Patterico's...more

Naffe v. Frey, et al.

Motion to Strike Under Calilfornia's Anti-SLAPP Law

Per Ken White at Popehat (http://www.popehat.com/2012/12/10/update-on-defense-of-patterico/): "In early October I announced that I would be joining Ron Coleman in a pro bono defense of Patrick Frey of Patterico's...more

Naffe v. Frey, et al.

Motion to Dismiss Complaint for Defamation and Other Claims for Failure to State a Claim - FRCP 12(b)(6)

Per Ken White at Popehat (http://www.popehat.com/2012/12/10/update-on-defense-of-patterico/): "In early October I announced that I would be joining Ron Coleman in a pro bono defense of Patrick Frey of Patterico's...more

U.S. Supreme Court Reconsiders Alien Tort Suits Against Corporations

U.S. Supreme Court Reconsiders Alien Tort Suits Against Corporations by Christine M. Vanek on October 15, 2012 The US. Supreme Court opened its October 2012 term by reconsidering Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, which...more

Watch Your Assets! Using Injunctions to Protect Trade Secrets, Customers, Employees, and Good Will

In this series of blog posts we will examine the use of injunctive relief in state and federal courts in response to employees who have misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets, who solicit clients and...more

Guggenheim Capital v. Toumei

Reply Brief of Appellant David Birnbaum

This is the reply brief in an appeal concerning the question of whether it is proper for a court to enter, as a sanction for litigation non-compliance, a default judgment and a seven-figure statutory damages award against a...more

7th Circuit Finds Informal Complaint Is Basis for ERISA Retaliation Claim

A federal appeals court has held that employees who make informal complaints to management regarding deposits into their retirement accounts are covered under the antiretaliation provisions of the Employee Retirement Income...more

Boarding School Review, LLC v. Delta Career Education Corp.

Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim under FRCP 12(b)(6)

Plaintiff operates a website called Community College Review. It received multiple cease and desist letters, which escalated in the severity of their threats, from counsel for certain institutions about which routine,...more

Dunkin’ Donuts in Hot Water Over Franchisee Discrimination Claims

Dunkin’ Donuts in Hot Water Over Franchisee Discrimination Claims by Joel N. Kreizman on August 30, 2012 Dunkin’ Donuts is in hot water after several former franchise owners have alleged that it discriminates against...more

Boarding School Review, LLC v. Delta Career Education Corp.

Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim Upon Which Relief Can be Granted (FRCP 12(b)(6))

Plaintiff operates a website called Community College Review. It received multiple cease and desist letters, which escalated in the severity of their threats, from counsel for certain institutions about which routine,...more

Labor & Employment E-Note - July 2012

In This Issue: - Companies May Get Pension Contribution Break Under New Law - EEOC Warns Firms Against Using Criminal Records to Screen Workers - Technology Raising New Questions on Overtime Pay for...more

Boarding School Review, LLC v. Delta Career Education Corp.

First Amended Complaint and Jury Demand

Plaintiff operates a website called Community College Review. It received multiple cease and desist letters, which escalated in the severity of their threats, from counsel for certain institutions about which routine,...more

New Jersey Business Litigation: Attorney-Client Privilege Only Extends So Far

New Jersey Business Litigation: Attorney-Client Privilege Only Extends So Far by Robert Levy In Marshall v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, A-1405-11, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey reminded litigants...more