SLAPP: Filing Notice Of Appeal From SLAPP Grant Did Not Prevent Trial Court From Awarding Fees To Successful SLAPP Cross-Defendant

$17,124.79 Fee Award Upheld On Appeal.

     In Gonzalez v. Burtech Pipeline Incorporated, Case No. E063314 (4^th Dist., Div. 2 Aug. 8, 2016) (unpublished), a cross-defendant successfully “SLAPPed” a cross-complaint and also moved for fees, garnering a $17,124.79 fee award. Cross-complainant appealed on the merits (losing) and on the fee award (also losing). Appellant’s sole challenge was that the appeal from the SLAPP merits grant divested the trial court of jurisdiction to rule on the fee motion. Simple answer: Nope. (Robertson v. Rodriguez, 36 Cal.App.4^th 347, 360 (1995).)