Ohio’s New Anti-SLAPP Law: What It Means for Free Speech

by Attorney Austin Warehime

Protect Your Freedom of Speech

In 2025, Ohio joined a growing number of states by adopting an Anti-SLAPP law, a legal protection designed to stop lawsuits that are intended to silence people for speaking out on matters of public interest.

SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. These lawsuits are often filed not necessarily to win damages, but to intimidate or pressure someone into staying quiet. The cost, stress, and time involved in defending a lawsuit can be enough to discourage people from speaking publicly—even when their statements are lawful.

Common situations where SLAPP lawsuits may arise include online reviews, public criticism of businesses or organizations, comments made at public meetings, journalism, or community activism. In these situations, a lawsuit may be used as a tactic to discourage criticism or public discussion.

Ohio’s Anti-SLAPP law was designed to address this problem by giving courts a way to evaluate certain lawsuits early in the process. When a case involves speech or participation on matters of public interest, the defendant may be able to file what is known as an Anti-SLAPP motion.

This motion asks the court to review the claims early and determine whether the lawsuit has sufficient legal merit to move forward. If the plaintiff cannot demonstrate that the claim is legally valid, the court may dismiss the case before it becomes a lengthy and expensive legal battle.

Another important feature of Anti-SLAPP laws is that they may allow the person who was sued to recover attorney fees and litigation costs if the court determines that the lawsuit was filed improperly to silence speech. This helps discourage the use of lawsuits as a tool of intimidation.

While the law provides an important protection for free speech and public participation, timing and legal strategy are critical. Anti-SLAPP motions must typically be filed within specific deadlines, and determining whether the law applies depends on the facts of the case and the nature of the speech involved.

As Ohio courts begin applying this relatively new law, early cases will play an important role in shaping how these protections are used in practice.

For individuals, journalists, business owners, and community members, Ohio’s Anti-SLAPP law represents an important step toward protecting the ability to speak openly on matters of public concern without fear of retaliatory litigation.

If you have been sued after speaking out publicly, it may be important to consult with an attorney to determine whether Ohio’s Anti-SLAPP protections may apply to your situation.