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Defamation Attorney Defeats anti-SLAPP Motion for Bay Area Client

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Defamation Attorney Rohit Chhabra has successfully defeated an anti-SLAPP motion that sought to punish his client for seeking justice. Chhabra states, "Our client sought legal action after Defendant allegedly published defamatory statements to a social media group of 2,000-3,000 members. Defendant followed with an anti-SLAPP motion asserting that the statements involved were protected activity."

"Defendant also alleged that there was a common interest privilege between Defendant and all the 2,000-3,000 members of the group. This would be equivalent to claiming that every person on Facebook, Twitter, etc. has an interest in another person's posts. I mean, why read it otherwise?" questions Chhabra.

He continues, "While one may have general interest in another's post, this does not extend to a privileged interest-which requires a business or contractual relationship between the parties."

"The court determined that Defendant's anti-SLAPP motion failed to meet the initial burden to establish that Plaintiff's defamation claims are based on Defendant's protected activity," states Chhabra.

"I am glad the court clearly saw the problem with Defendant's arguments and efficiently rendered its decision. The court did not even reach the 'interest' issue. However, even if it did, we are confident Defendant's argument would have failed," continues Chhabra.

"Defendant's contention simply did not make sense," concludes Chhabra. The case continues.

The case is Li v. Yu, 20CV367955 (Santa Clara Superior Court 2020).

About the Firm:

Chhabra Law Firm, PC is a San Francisco, California, based law firm that assists both plaintiffs and defendants in defamation related matters. We assist clients in pursuing as well as opposing anti-SLAPP motions. Chhabra Law was established in 2015 as an alternative to large law firms.

Learn more at: https://www.clfip.com/ip/internet-defamation-attorney.html

Related link: https://www.clfip.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, Legal and Law

Defamation Attorney Secures Win for Client

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 14, 2020 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Defamation Attorney Rohit Chhabra has successfully prevented a lawsuit from proceeding that punished his client for exercising his free speech rights.

Plaintiff, an author and attorney, published a book about California's justice system, in which he wrote that judges were "mentally ill, and [that] the whole system is stacked in favor of prosecutors and police," per the court's findings.

Chhabra states, "Our client, the defendant in this matter, expressed his opinion and stated that plaintiff is spreading conspiracy theories. Plaintiff contended this to be defamatory speech and filed a lawsuit. We found this as an abusive action to silence our client, and filed an anti-SLAPP motion."

"The court agreed with us that plaintiff was at the very least a limited public figure and had failed to establish a showing of actual malice. Regardless, the court also determined that our client's statements were opinion," Chhabra continues.

The court explained "... defendant's assertions are matters of opinion, not fact. Plaintiff seems to regard it as obvious that 'conspiracy theory' is an accusation of fact, not opinion. ... In today's political sphere and public discourse, labeling one's opponent's views as a 'conspiracy theory' is a pejorative characterization of the opponent's views - much like labeling one's opponent as fascist, communist, racist, hypocritical, pro-crime, anti-farmer, moronic, irrational, and so on and so on. Plaintiff posits no understanding of the term 'conspiracy theory' that is susceptible to factual proof or disproof."

"The court provided a very thoughtful analysis, meticulously dissecting each issue. Advocates of free speech should rejoice this decision," concludes Chhabra.

The case is Tully v. Chouinard, CIV-MSC20-01019 (Contra Costa Sup. Ct. 2020).

About the Firm:

Chhabra Law Firm, PC is a San Francisco, California, based law firm that assists both plaintiffs and defendants in defamation related matters. We assist clients in pursuing as well as opposing anti-SLAPP motions. Chhabra Law was established in 2015 as an alternative to large law firms.

More information: https://www.clfip.com/

Media Contact:
Rohit Chhabra
Chhabra Law Firm, PC
100 Pine St. Suite 1250
San Francisco CA 94111
650-564-7929
info@clfip.com

Related link: https://www.clfip.com/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.