Lawrence M. Farnese Jr., a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania Senate and sponsor of legislation (Senate Bill 95) that would strengthen PA’s anti-SLAPP law, called for support in moving the bill forward in a piece for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Read MoreThere are many reasons for women to think twice about reporting sexual assault. But one potential consequence looms especially large: They may also be prosecuted.
Read MoreThe Pennsylvania Senate passed state anti-SLAPP legislation by a vote of 42-8 on April 25, 2017. “I am grateful for the bipartisan support for this important legislation,” prime sponsor Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) said. “As a lawyer, I will be the first to admit that in many circumstances, lawsuits are necessary. But we must take action to prevent litigation that only exists to harass and intimidate.”
Read MoreA defamation lawsuit against several parents of former students at Agora Cyber Charter School quietly ended after 7 1/2 years. Officials closed the case because there had been no activity for more than two years.
Read MoreLaw360, Philadelphia (July 1, 2015, 3:14 PM ET) — The Pennsylvania Senate threw its overwhelming support on Tuesday to legislation that would authorize monetary penalties for plaintiffs found to have filed so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP suits, designed to stifle criticism against businesses and developers.
Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Philadelphia, said that the legislation he sponsored would not only require courts to quickly hold hearings to determine a potential SLAPP suit’s legitimacy but also allow targets of frivolous litigation to recover damages.
Read MoreIn 1997, the health care organization Beverly Enterprises sued the local president of the Service Employees International Union, accusing her of defaming an executive of the company in a one-on-one confrontation at a rally and at an informal town hall meeting called by five members of Congress.
Read MoreIn 1996, medical services provider Beverly Enterprises sued a nurses union in Pennsylvania for malicious defamation in the publication of fliers and radio statements about safety issues and the ongoing labor dispute between the union and the medical services company.
Read MoreA Philadelphia court granted an injunction stopping a blogger from criticizing eye doctors.
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