Results

Results matter. Here’s a selection of cases where Jeff Lewis Law made a difference

Our Results

Alvarez v. Reay

Our anti-SLAPP win for TikToker Catie Reay in federal court was a classic example of why this statute was created. Reay was sued for speaking her mind about sex trafficking on TikTok. She was sued for reporting her concerns to the government and for posting videos. The court dismissed every claim against her ending the case and protecting Ms. Reay from further harassment.The ruling shut down the lawsuit early, saving our client from costly discovery and positioning us for recovery of her attorneys’ fees.

A.T. v. R.R.

Catherine Townsend is a private investigator and true crime podcaster. She reported about a high profile murder case and the involvement of a prominent Beverly Hills attorney in the murder trial. The attorney sued Ms. Townsend for defamation. We filed an anti-SLAPP motion at the outset of the case saving her the time and money of having to respond to discovery. The court agreed with us that the podcast reporting was protected speech on a matter of public interest and that the claims were frivolous The court dismissed the case.

Hickey v. Weeks

An award winning and beloved public school teacher spoke out at a school board meeting. He was concerned about how an after school program was treating kids. The school board ended its contract with the program and the program owner blamed Mr. Weeks. The program sued Mr. Weeks for tens of thousands of dollars for defamation. We filed an anti-SLAPP motion arguing that Mr. Week’s comments to the school board were protected by the First Amendment. The court agreed and dismissed the case early in the process, preventing lengthy and expensive discovery.

*Results are based on facts and law of that particular caseand do not represent a promise or guarantee as to your legal matter.

Anti-SLAPP and First Amendment Cases

Political Candidate Prevails in Anti-SLAPP and Ballot Designation Battle Chmielewski v. Molly M. Perry

The Problem: In the Fall 2020 election, Irvine City Council candidate Mark Newgent described himself on the ballot as a Retired Army Captain — an indisputably accurate description. A local blogger filed a lawsuit challenging that description.

The Result: Jeff Lewis obtained a pre-election court ruling approving the ballot description. After the election, he obtained a court order declaring the lawsuit a SLAPP, protecting his client from further harassment.
Journalist's First Amendment Rights Protected Gallo v. Takano

The Problem: A journalist was sued by celebrity Vincent Gallo over claims of invasion of privacy and illegal recordings.

The Result: Jeff Lewis filed an anti-SLAPP motion, obtained a complete dismissal of all claims, and secured an award of attorneys’ fees for his client.
Anti-SLAPP Motion Wins Again Copenbarger v. Johnson
Wage and Hour Claims Reinstated on Appeal Callanan v. Grizzly Designs, LLC (June 29, 2022, C094008)

The Problem: An employee’s wage and hour claims against his former employer were dismissed at the trial level under the anti-SLAPP statute.

The Result: Jeff Lewis served as appellate counsel and obtained a reversal. The Court of Appeal found the wage and hour claims were not protected activity under Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.16. The claims were reinstated and the case remanded.
Client Prevails in Anti-SLAPP Motion Rothman v. Masson
Anti-SLAPP Statute Used to Secure Full Attorney's Fees Christakes v. Ekstrom

The Problem: A group of homeowners was sued for malicious prosecution. Jeff Lewis obtained a dismissal using California’s anti-SLAPP statute, but the trial court awarded only a fraction of the clients’ out-of-pocket legal fees.

The Result: Jeff Lewis argued on appeal that the reduced fee award was contrary to the spirit of California’s anti-SLAPP law. The Court of Appeal agreed, reversed the award, and ordered the trial court to award 100 percent of the clients’ costs and attorneys’ fees.
Malicious Prosecution Lawsuit Dismissed Hotdoggers, Inc. v. Mueller (2014)

The Problem: A client was sued for malicious prosecution arising from proceedings before the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The Result: Jeff Lewis filed an anti-SLAPP motion. The case was dismissed and the client was awarded attorney’s fees and costs.

Published Appellate Decisions

Judgment Debtor's Home Protected from Sale Meyer v. Sheh (2022) 74 Cal.App.5th 830

The Problem: A creditor sought to force the sale of a debtor’s home.

The Result: The Court of Appeal held that the creditor had failed to list all unrecorded tax liens on the property in its application, and affirmed the Superior Court’s denial of the sale.
Heir Represented in Probate Dispute Rallo v. O'Brien (2020) 52 Cal.App.5th 997
Owner of Music Rights Prevails on Attorney's Fees Wertheim, LLC v. Omidvar (2016) 3 Cal.App.5th 921
Hospital Prevails Against Real Estate Developer Hammes Company Healthcare, LLC v. Tri-City Healthcare District (S.D. Cal. 2011) 801 F.Supp.2d 1023

The Problem: A real estate developer sought $20 million against a publicly-owned hospital over a failed construction project, asserting five claims including breach of contract and fraud.

The Result: Jeff Lewis moved for summary judgment and prevailed on five of six claims. The one remaining claim was resolved in the hospital’s favor at trial.
Homeowners Victorious Over HOA Ekstrom v. Marquesa at Monarch Beach HOA (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 1111.

The Problem: A group of homeowners sued their HOA to enforce CC&Rs requiring that neighbors’ palm trees be trimmed after their ocean views were blocked. They won at trial, but the HOA appealed.

The Result: The Court of Appeal rejected all of the HOA’s arguments and affirmed the homeowners’ injunction.
Bloggers Afforded Same Protection as Traditional Journalists O'Grady v. Superior Court (2006) 139 Cal.App.4th 1423

The Problem: Apple issued subpoenas to identify the source of a leaked product, targeting a website blogger and their email provider.

The Result: Jeff Lewis filed a friend of the court brief on behalf of a group of bloggers. The Court of Appeal overturned the trial court and directed the subpoenas be quashed, affirming that bloggers are entitled to the same reporter’s shield protection as traditional journalists.

Unpublished Appellate Decisions

Extension of Domestic Violence Restraining Order Upheld Talassazan v. Talassazan (2021)

The Problem: A party who had obtained an extension of a domestic violence restraining order against her former spouse faced an appeal.

The Result: The Court of Appeal affirmed the extension order.
Defense Judgment in Discrimination Case Upheld Serbrakian v. Talebi (2021)
Uninsured Motorist Coverage Denial Reversed West American Insurance Company v. Valles (2020)

The Problem: An employee injured while driving was denied recovery against his employer’s uninsured motorist carrier on the grounds that he hadn’t first obtained workers’ compensation benefits.

The Result: Lead attorney Sean Rotstan obtained a reversal on appeal.
Attorney's Fee Award in Dissolution Upheld Heredia v. Heredia (2020)
Marital Support and Property Division Affirmed In re Marriage of Fudge (2020)
Peremptory Challenge Handling Corrected Chi v. Superior Court (2020)

The Problem: A criminal defendant sought to exercise a peremptory challenge against the judge assigned to sentence him, but the trial judge reviewed and disposed of the challenge himself rather than deferring to another department.

The Result: The Court of Appeal issued an order to show cause, prompting the trial court to vacate its prior order
Illegal Restraining Order Reversed D.D. v. R.C. (2019)

The Problem: A client had a civil harassment restraining order wrongfully entered against her based on false statements made under penalty of perjury by a neighbor.

The Result: The Court of Appeal dissolved the restraining order, finding the neighbor’s evidence failed to meet the legal standard. Related criminal charges were subsequently dismissed by the District Attorney.
Denial of Domestic Violence Restraining Order Upheld Roxana V. v. Randy S. (2019)
HOA Held Accountable to CC&Rs Harper v. Canyon Hills Community Association (2014)

The Problem: A homeowner’s claims against her HOA for approving a neighbor’s construction project in violation of the CC&Rs were dismissed at the trial level on summary judgment.

The Result: Jeff Lewis obtained a reversal on appeal, allowing the claims to proceed to trial.
Wrongful Lis Pendens Expunged Lucky 777, Inc. v. Superior Court (2014)
LAPD Ordered to Return Confiscated Property Duncan v. Superior Court (2010)

The Problem: A person had property seized by the LAPD that was never used in a criminal trial and was not subject to forfeiture.

The Result: Jeff Lewis represented the client before the California Supreme Court and obtained an order directing the LAPD to return the property.
Real Estate Agent's Lost Commission Claim Rejected Martin v. Avigdor (2009)

The Problem: A seller’s real estate agent sued potential buyers for a lost commission after escrow failed to close. The buyers lost at trial and were ordered to pay the commission plus attorney’s fees.

The Result: Jeff Lewis took over on appeal and obtained a complete reversal, relieving the clients of any obligation to pay.
Daughter's Inheritance Reinstated Mishler v. Kinder (2009)

The Problem: A probate court disinherited one of three daughters litigating their father’s estate and imposed an attorney’s fee award against her.

The Result: Jeff Lewis obtained a complete reversal on appeal, reinstating the inheritance and overturning the fee award.

Significant Litigation Experience

One-Month Trial Gets Unanimous Jury Verdict Vogele v. Williams

The Problem: Jeff Lewis represented two plaintiffs in a malicious prosecution action, defeating three anti-SLAPP motions and three summary judgment motions over five years before the case reached trial.

The Result: Following a one-month jury trial, Jeff Lewis obtained a unanimous verdict on liability and an award of punitive damages.
Jeff Lewis Law Prevails in Ballot Designation Dispute
Two Million Dollar Discrimination Case Defeated
Summary Judgment in Real Estate Dispute
Real Estate Arbitration Victory

The Problem: Two members of a three-member LLC couldn’t agree on the division of profits from a multi-million dollar property sale.

The Result: Following a two-week arbitration, Jeff Lewis’ clients were awarded their primary relief, declared the prevailing parties, and awarded attorney’s fees.
Lis Pendens Expunged
Misleading Ballot Arguments Revised Lewis v. Logan (2010)
Citizens Prevail Over City in Public Park Sale Citizens for Enforcement of Parkland Covenants v. City of Palos Verdes Estates (2015)

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Results

Our Results

Alvarez v. Reay

A.T. v. R.R.

Hickey v. Weeks

Anti-SLAPP and First Amendment Cases

Political Candidate Prevails in Anti-SLAPP and Ballot Designation Battle Chmielewski v. Molly M. Perry

Journalist's First Amendment Rights Protected Gallo v. Takano

Anti-SLAPP Motion Wins Again Copenbarger v. Johnson

Wage and Hour Claims Reinstated on Appeal Callanan v. Grizzly Designs, LLC (June 29, 2022, C094008)

Client Prevails in Anti-SLAPP Motion Rothman v. Masson

Anti-SLAPP Statute Used to Secure Full Attorney's Fees Christakes v. Ekstrom

Malicious Prosecution Lawsuit Dismissed Hotdoggers, Inc. v. Mueller (2014)

Published Appellate Decisions

Unpublished Appellate Decisions

Significant Litigation Experience