Small Law Firms

Attorney Sues Former Client Over Negative Online Review

Online reviews are just a part of the lawyer biz now.

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The Yelpification of the legal industry is here to stay. The constant and often anonymous feedback from review sites may be the thorn in the side of many firms, particularly small and solo shops, but it isn’t likely to change any time soon. Not even with litigation.

Texas attorney Chris Sanchez did not like the reviews former clients Trevor Nikos Kocaoglan and Pablo Trejo posted about him, so he’s decided to take the matter to court. As reported by Texas Lawyer, Sanchez takes issue with Google reviews and Facebook comments the pair left and filed a lawsuit for defamation and libel, seeking damages, lost profits, attorney fees, costs, and interest.

In their response to the litigation, the pair say the comments they left were true, so they aren’t defamatory. But, perhaps more importantly, they also seek dismissal of the lawsuit under the Texas Citizens Participation Act’s protection against “strategic lawsuits against public participation.” And an attorney representing the defendants is getting salty about it too:

“It’s clear that he’s meaning to harass,” Houston solo practitioner and defense lawyer Jason Castaneda said about McAllen attorney Chris Sanchez. “I think it’s definitely going to get dismissed. The question is whether the court is going to sanction his conduct.”

It’s always good to be confident in your legal argument.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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