FIRST DISTRICT HOLDS IT IMPROPER TO APPLY “A MECHANICAL FORMULA” TO REDUCE AN AWARD OF ANTI-SLAPP ATTORNEY’S FEES TO A SUCCESSFUL PARTY

Cases: SLAPP, Cases: Special Fee Shifting Statutes

Appellate Court Found That Trial Judge Used Incorrect Legal Standard When Reducing a Fee Award by Two-Thirds.             A defendant who brings a successful anti-SLAPP motion is entitled to a mandatory award of attorney’s fees and costs.  (Code Civ. Proc. sec. 425.16(c); Ketchum v. Moses, 24 Cal.4th 1122, 1131 (2001).)  Generally, appellate […]