Significant SLAPP Fee Awards

10/8/04 - Ramona Unified School District v. Tsiknas, Hamilton, and
Apgar et al. (SDSC GIE 020665). Mr. Moneer represented defendants Tsiknas, Hamilton, and Apgar as special counsel in preparing and arguing the SLAPP motion to strike plaintiff's abuse of process and barratry claims, which Judge Eddie C. Sturgeon granted based on, inter alia, litigation privilege grounds. The Court awarded 100% of attorney Moneer's hours billed @ $375.00 per hour plus a 1.50 multiplier. His co-counsel, Julie Hamilton, was awarded fees for all of her time on the SLAPP motion at $225.00 per hour plus a 1.50 multiplier. Ramona Unified has appealed solely to delay payment because they are a public entity, which is apparently exempt from the bonding requirement of Dowling v. Zimmerman, supra, under CCP 995.220. Ramona Unified's appeal is meritless and dilatory.

2002- Awarded $108,000 in SLAPP fees by Court at $325/hr. for 302 out of 302 hours billed in Commonwealth Energy Corp. v. Chappell (O.C.S.C. No. 811996).