Examples of SLAPP Lawsuits in the Real World

by Attorney Austin Warehime

Not every lawsuit is filed to recover damages or resolve a genuine legal dispute. In some situations, a lawsuit is filed primarily to intimidate someone into silence. These cases are commonly referred to as SLAPP lawsuits, which stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.

SLAPP lawsuits are often used when someone speaks out publicly about an issue that affects a business, organization, or individual. The goal may not be to win the case, but rather to pressure the person being sued to retract their statements, delete content, or stop speaking altogether.

Here are a few examples of how SLAPP lawsuits can arise in the real world.

Online Reviews

One of the most common examples involves negative online reviews. A customer posts a critical review of a business on platforms such as Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Instead of responding publicly or resolving the issue, the business files a lawsuit claiming defamation. In some cases, the lawsuit is intended to discourage criticism rather than address a legitimate false statement.

Public Meeting Comments

Another example occurs during public meetings, such as city council sessions, zoning hearings, or school board meetings. Community members often have the opportunity to speak about local issues or express concerns about decisions affecting their community. Occasionally, individuals who make critical comments may face lawsuits alleging defamation or reputational harm.

Community Activism

Community activists sometimes raise concerns about development projects, environmental issues, or business practices. When these concerns are expressed publicly, a lawsuit may be filed to discourage further advocacy or participation.

Journalism and Reporting

Journalists and independent reporters can also become targets of SLAPP lawsuits. Investigative reporting or public commentary may lead to claims intended to pressure reporters into removing articles or limiting their coverage.

Because these lawsuits can create significant legal costs and stress, many states have adopted Anti-SLAPP laws designed to stop these cases early when they are used to silence speech on matters of public interest.

Understanding how these laws work can be important for anyone who participates in public discussions, posts reviews, reports misconduct, or speaks out about issues affecting their community.