Chodosh v. Trotter CA4/1
Floyd M. Chodosh, Susan Eicherly, Bonnie P. Harris, Myrle A. Moore, Ole Haugen, and Chris McLaughlin (together, plaintiffs) sued the Honorable John R. Trotter (retired) and JAMS, Inc. (together, defendants) on numerous grounds, based on Justice Trotter's mediation of plaintiffs' litigation against the Palm Beach Park Association (the Association). Defendants filed a special motion to strike pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, the anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) statute. The trial court found defendants' conduct was protected litigation-related activity, and that plaintiffs could not meet their burden in opposing the motion due to mediation confidentiality, quasi-judicial immunity, and the litigation privilege. The court granted the motion, awarded attorneys' fees to defendants, and dismissed the action.
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