The Law Office of Daniel A. Horwitz, Esq.

June 22, 2021

Horwitz Law, PLLC Clients the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws Prevail in Davidson County Election Litigation

In a thorough, 42-page opinion, Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins has ruled that the Davidson County Election Commission acted unlawfully when it set an election on a legally defective referendum opinion.  “4GG’s Petition . . . did not prescribe a date as required by Section 19.01; it clearly prescribed, or listed, two alternative dates,” Chancellor Perkins ruled.  “Legal prerequisites, however, must be met and the Election Commission’s failure to insist that the ‘prescribe a date’ legal requirement be complied with as written is not entitled to deference upon judicial review.”  “4GG’s Petition did not meet the ‘prescribe a date’ requirement under § 19.01 of the Metropolitan Charter.”

In so ruling, Chancellor Perkins adopted the central argument advanced by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws as amici curiae in the case.  On June 4, 2021, Horwitz Law, PLLC filed an amici curiae brief on behalf of clients the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws in Metropolitan Government, et al. v. Davidson County Election Commission, et al., Davidson County Chancery Court Case No. 21-0433-IV.  The brief argued, among other things, that the Davidson County Election Commission acted unlawfully by approving a multi-date referendum petition despite the Metro Charter’s unambiguous requirement that petitioners “prescribe a date” for an election in order to afford appropriate notice to voters.

“Compliance with straightforward and longstanding legal requirements is not voluntary, and ignoring provisions of the Charter while depriving opponents of fair notice solely because a bare majority of the Election Commission supports a measure is impermissible,” said Horwitz Law, PLLC principal Daniel A. Horwitz—who represented both groups alongside Horwitz Law, PLLC attorney Lindsay Smith—in a statement to the Tennessean on the ruling.  “As the Chamber and TSEL argued at length, the Davidson County Election Commission lacks authority to violate clear provisions of the Metropolitan Charter in an ill-advised effort to apply new and different rules to a favored petitioner,” Horwitz added in a statement to the Tennessee Lookout.

Read Chancellor Perkins’ June 22, 2021 Memorandum and Final Order in Davidson County Chancery Court Case No. 21-0433-IV here.

Read the Brief of Amici Curiae of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws in Support of Petitioner here: https://horwitz.law/wp-content/uploads/Brief-of-Amici-Curiae-the-Chamber-and-TSEL.pdf

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Horwitz Law has successfully represented and advised numerous state and local elected officials, candidates for public office, PACs and political organizations, county political parties, and other political law clients across Tennessee regarding campaign finance, election, and political law issues. Horwitz Law has also successfully represented clients in landmark election-related litigation concerning local, state, and federal election law. Daniel A. Horwitz—Horwitz Law’s founding member—formerly served as election counsel for the Tennessee Democratic Party, and he currently serves as General Counsel for Tennesseans For Sensible Election Laws, an election-reform oriented multicandidate political campaign committee and advocacy group.

If you are seeking campaign finance, election law, or political law assistance, you can purchase a consultation from Horwitz Law here.

June 7, 2021

Horwitz Law, PLLC Files Amici Curiae Brief in Metropolitan Government v. Davidson County Election Commission on Behalf of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws

On June 4, 2021, Horwitz Law, PLLC filed an amici curiae brief on behalf of clients the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws in Metropolitan Government, et al. v. Davidson County Election Commission, et al., Davidson County Chancery Court Case No. 21-0433-IV.  Chancellor Russell T. Perkins entered an order accepting the brief on June 7, 2021.

The brief asserts that the Davidson County Election Commission acted unlawfully by approving a multi-date referendum petition despite the Metro Charter’s unambiguous requirement that petitioners “prescribe a date” for an election in order to afford appropriate notice to voters.  The brief also contends that the Election Commission acted unlawfully and exceeded its jurisdiction by setting the referendum election at issue for an entirely separate third date.  Significantly, until now, the Election Commission has long maintained that the Metro Charter’s “prescribe a date” requirement forbids the Election Commission from altering the election date selected by petitioners, making its actions a significant departure from its own longstanding, established practice.

“Both organizations are concerned with the Davidson County Election Commission’s seemingly partisan-motivated, selective interpretations and abrupt change in position regarding long-established rules,” said attorney Daniel A. Horwitz—who filed the brief along with Horwitz Law, PLLC attorney Lindsay Smith—in a statement to the Tennessean.  “The Election Commission’s position also ensures a constant stream of expedited, pre-election litigation, and it creates serious concerns that going forward, partisanship will dictate outcomes regarding what is supposed to be the neutral process of election administration.”

Read the Brief of Amici Curiae of Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws in Support of Petitioner here: https://horwitz.law/wp-content/uploads/Brief-of-Amici-Curiae-the-Chamber-and-TSEL.pdf

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Horwitz Law has successfully represented and advised numerous state and local elected officials, candidates for public office, PACs and political organizations, county political parties, and other political law clients across Tennessee regarding campaign finance, election, and political law issues. Horwitz Law has also successfully represented clients in landmark election-related litigation concerning local, state, and federal election law. Daniel Horwitz—Horwitz Law’s founding member—formerly served as election counsel for the Tennessee Democratic Party, and he currently serves as General Counsel for Tennesseans For Sensible Election Laws, an election-reform oriented multicandidate political campaign committee and advocacy group.

If you are seeking campaign finance, election law, or political law assistance, you can purchase a consultation from Horwitz Law here.

October 28, 2020

Horwitz Secures First-Ever Exoneration of Nashville Man Wrongfully Convicted of Murder; Joseph Webster Released, Has Conviction Vacated After 14 Years In Prison

Following a four-year effort to exonerate Joseph Webster for his wrongful conviction of a 1998 murder, the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office has announced that it “no longer has confidence in the conviction of Mr. Webster” and recommends that “Mr. Webster’s conviction be vacated and the charges against him dismissed.”  Acting on its Conviction Review Unit’s recommendation, the District Attorney’s Office filed a formal Notice of Intent to vacate and dismiss the charges against Mr. Webster on October 29, 2020.  Mr. Webster’s exoneration will be the first in Nashville history since the Davidson County Conviction Review Unit was established in 2016.

“After a decade and a half in prison for a murder that he did not commit, I am overjoyed that Joseph Webster’s wrongful conviction will finally be overturned,” said Daniel Horwitz, Webster’s attorney. “Mr. Webster is immeasurably grateful to those who took the time to conduct a thorough reinvestigation of his case and see that this wrong was righted.  Mr. Webster is also thinking of the entire Owens family at this time, which has to process the painful news of learning that the wrong person was convicted of committing this brutal murder.” A hearing that will enable Mr. Webster’s immediate release from prison is scheduled for November 10, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.  Webster’s case also resulted in the Conviction Review Unit’s first reinvestigation of a potential wrongful murder conviction in Nashville’s history.

Webster’s conviction was formally vacated on November 10, 2020.  He was released from prison the same day.  Selected case documents and media coverage appear below.

Daniel Horwitz is an innocence and post-conviction attorney based in Nashville, Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from Horwitz, you can do so using the following form:

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Selected Case Documents:

*Order Granting Petition for Writ of Error Coram Nobis Vacating Conviction

District Attorney’s Notice of Intent to Vacate

Petitioner’s Motion to Reopen Post-Conviction Petition and Petition to Issue Writ of Error Coram Nobis

District Attorney’s Response

Selected Media Coverage:

-USA Today: ‘Oh, it’s been so long’: Mother collapses with joy after wrongfully convicted son freed

-The Tennessean: Judge overturns murder conviction of Nashville man serving life in prison in 1998 case

-The Tennessean: Nashville DA’s office moves to overturn conviction of man serving life for 1998 murder

-New York Times: Imprisoned Nearly 15 Years, but Now Cleared of a Murder He Didn’t Commit

-NBC: Tennessee man freed after nearly 15 years in prison for wrongful murder conviction

-CNN: Tennessee man exonerated after serving 15 years for a murder he didn’t commit

-The Tennessean: Nashville judge hears arguments for dropping charges against Joseph Webster

-The Tennessean: ‘The conviction is wrongful’: Attorney discusses Nashville man’s life sentence case

-The Nashville Scene: DA’s Office Seeks Release for Nashville Man Convicted of 1998 Murder

-NPR-WPLN: Nashville District Attorney Agrees To Review Conviction In 1998 Murder Case

-NPR-WPLN: Investigation: After Pledging To Examine Innocence Claims, Nashville DA Has Yet To Open A Case

New York Post: Tennessee man walks free after 1998 murder conviction is overturned

-People: Tennessee Man, 41, Exonerated After Judge Overturns 1998 Murder Conviction

-Channel 5: Joseph Webster adjusting to freedom after judge dismisses murder conviction

-Channel 4: Joseph Webster reunites with family after judge vacates murder conviction 14 years into prison sentence

-Fox 17: Nashville man imprisoned for murder for almost 15 years may walk free

-Fox 17: FERRIER FILES: Nashville murder conviction investigation to be reopened

-Fox 17: FERRIER FILES: Is Nashville man serving a life sentence innocent?

-Fox 17: FERRIER FILES: Imprisoned man’s DNA not on murder weapon

-Channel 5: Wrongful conviction requests are getting a second look

-The Tennessean: District attorney redesigns ‘burdensome’ process of searching for wrongful convictions

October 26, 2020

Horwitz Secures $1 Million Judgment for Nashville Woman Terrorized by Ex-NYPD Officer’s Home Invasion

Federal District Court Judge Eli Richardson has formally approved a $1 million civil judgment in favor of Conese Halliburton against ex-NYPD Officer Michael Reynolds, who was convicted in 2019 of multiple crimes related to a racial slur-laden Nashville home invasion.  After being sentenced to jail by Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Mark Fishburn, Reynolds resigned from the NYPD in disgrace before termination proceedings could be completed.  While he was serving his jail sentence, Ms. Halliburton also sued ex-Officer Reynolds in federal court, after which Reynolds declared bankruptcy.

Following litigation in both the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, a $1 million civil judgment has now been entered against Reynolds regarding the incident, which comes in addition to his ongoing criminal sentence.  The court’s order reflects that Reynolds has also admitted that all of the allegations in Ms. Halliburton’s Complaint—including her allegations regarding misconduct by other NYPD Officers—are true, and that Reynolds has stipulated to liability regarding Ms. Halliburton’s claims for trespass, trespass to chattels, conversion, assault, violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, negligence, negligence per se, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

“Ms. Halliburton promised from the beginning that she would hold ex-Officer Reynolds fully accountable for his criminal misconduct and obtain justice for her family regarding this despicable incident,” said Nashville attorney Daniel A. Horwitz, who represented Ms. Halliburton.  “We are certainly pleased with this development, but we also aren’t finished here.”  Selected case documents and media coverage are linked below.

Daniel Horwitz represents victims who have suffered serious injuries as a result of criminal and other misconduct in Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from him, you can do using the form below.

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Selected Case Documents:

*Final Order Granting $1 Million Judgment

Plaintiff’s Complaint

Transcript of Plea Hearing, Davidson County Criminal Court

Transcript of Sentencing Hearing, Davidson County Criminal Court

Selected Media Coverage:

-The Tennessean: Ex-NYPD cop who terrorized Nashville residents during break-in must pay $1M, judge rules

-WKRN: Ex-NYPD officer ordered to pay $1M after breaking into 12South home, using racial slurs

-New York Times: Officer Who Admitted Making Racist Threat Quits After an Uproar

-New York Post: White NYPD cop who broke into black woman’s home, hurled racist slurs ordered to pay $1M

-Fox 17: Judge approves $1M judgment against ex-NYPD officer who broke into Nashville woman’s home

-New York Daily News: Disgraced ex-NYPD cop who forced his way into woman’s Nashville home must pay her $1 million

-Insurance Journal: Former NYPD Officer Ordered to Pay $1M Over Tennessee Break-In

-The Root: Former NYPD Officer Ordered to Pay $1M Over Tennessee Break-InEx-NYPD Officer Ordered to Pay $1 Million to Black Tennessee Woman Whose Home He Broke Into Before Hurling Racial Slurs

-ABC: Woman files $5 million suit against officer who broke into her home, yelled racial slurs

-The Tennessean: Airbnb terror ends in jail time for drunk NYPD cop who broke into Nashville home, threatened residents

-New York Post: Racist ex-NYPD cop who broke into stranger’s Nashville home files for bankruptcy

-WSMV: NYPD officer arrested for assaulting Nashville family while he was on vacation resigns

-The Tennessean: Woman files $5M lawsuit against ex-NYPD cop who broke into her Nashville home and threatened her

-CNN: Tennessee woman wants a New York police officer who barged into her home and was accused of a racial slur to be fired

-New York Post: Activists want NYPD cop Michael Reynolds fired for racist tirade in Nashville

-US News and World Report: NYPD Officer Accused of Home Break-In, Attack Enters Plea

-NBC News: A white NYPD officer broke into a black woman’s home and threatened her. Activists want him fired.

-Newsweek: NYPD OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO ASSAULT AND TRESPASSING FOR BREAKING INTO NASHVILLE FAMILY’S HOME AND THREATENING THEM WITH THE N-WORD

-Reason: New York Cop Finally Quits—More Than a Year After He Broke Into a Woman’s Home and Threatened Her

-The Grio: White NYPD officer, who spewed racist threats to a Black woman after breaking into her home, resigns

-The Tennessean: NYPD cop takes a plea deal after breaking into a Nashville house next to his Airbnb

-WTVF: Attorney: Resignation of NYPD cop in Nashville racist attack long overdue

October 21, 2020

Horwitz Clients Awarded Maximum Policy Limit of $304,000.00 Following Madison Dog Attack

A Davidson County Circuit Court judge has ordered approval of a $304,000.00 settlement award arising from a May 2020 dog attack in Madison.  The $304,000.00 award is among the largest—if not the largest—recoveries ever obtained in a dog bite case in Tennessee that did not result in a victim’s wrongful death.

“We are pleased to have obtained a prompt and record-setting recovery on behalf of the Stone family that compensates them for their injuries, takes care of all of their medical bills, and will allow them to begin the process of healing from this traumatic attack,” said Daniel Horwitz, the plaintiffs’ attorney.  Horwitz represents victims of criminal misconduct and extreme negligence in complex injury cases.

The first portion of the court-ordered award is set forth in the Circuit Court’s October 21, 2020 Order here.  Selected filings and media coverage of the incident are linked below.

Selected Case Documents:

Settlement Order (1/2)/Settlement Order (2/2) 

Notice of Satisfaction of $304,000.00 Judgment

Selected Media Coverage:

-News Channel 5: Dog escapes backyard, attacks 4, including child, in Madison

-WSMV: 3 attacked by pit bull in Madison

-WKRN: Baby, teen among 3 injured in Madison dog attack

-Fox 17: 911 calls detail horrifying scene as dog attacks child, three others in Nashville

September 15, 2020

Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Rules in Favor of School Board Members, Invalidates Censorship Clause in Ex-MNPS Director Shawn Joseph’s Severance Agreement

In an order issued earlier this afternoon, Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle ruled in favor of Plaintiffs Amy Frogge, Fran Bush, and Jill Speering, who earlier this year sued Metro and ex-MNPS Director Shawn Joseph over the legality of the School Board censorship clause contained in Joseph’s severance agreement.  In a Memorandum Order, Chancellor Lyle struck down the censorship clause as unconstitutional on multiple grounds and permanently enjoined its enforcement.

Among other things, the clause prohibited elected School Board members even from truthfully criticizing “Dr. Joseph and his performance as Director of Schools.”  Upon review of it, Chancellor Lyle ruled that the clause violated the Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights, unlawfully prohibited them from speaking honestly with their constituents, and violated established Tennessee public policy.  As a result, the clause was invalidated as unenforceable.  Metro and Joseph will additionally be required to pay the Plaintiffs’ “reasonable costs and attorney’s fees,” which have been pledged to charity.

“This is a landmark victory on behalf of both elected officials’ free speech rights and citizens’ right to hear from their elected representatives,” said attorney Daniel Horwitz, who represented all three Plaintiffs.  “Metro and Joseph should be ashamed of their efforts to gag elected officials and prevent them from speaking honestly with their constituents about issues of tremendous public importance, and their illegal attempt to do so should serve as a costly warning to other government officials to think twice before violating the First Amendment.”

Daniel Horwitz is a First Amendment lawyer who represents clients across Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from him, you can do using the form below.

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September 11, 2020

Horwitz Wins Lawsuit Striking Down Politician-Favoring Criminal Defamation Law, Secures $69,882.37 Fee Award

In a resounding win for free speech, Davidson County Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle has issued an order striking down Tennessee’s criminal defamation law prohibiting false “campaign literature in opposition to any candidate in any election.”  Finding that the law represented an unlawful content-based, viewpoint-based, and identity-based speech restriction that could not withstand scrutiny under the First Amendment or the Tennessee Constitution, Chancellor Lyle invalidated the law as unconstitutional.

“Tennesseans have a constitutional right to mock and satirize politicians, and candidates for office cannot lawfully use the threat of a criminal prosecution to inhibit criticism,” Horwitz said in a statement to The Tennessean. “Tennesseans For Sensible Election Laws is proud to have won this important case and made Tennessee’s democratic process freer once again.”

Along with the win, in an order entered on September 11, 2020, Horwitz additionally secured a final judgment “awarding Plaintiff recovery of $69,882.37 in attorneys’ fees and expenses.

Daniel Horwitz is a free speech and election lawyer who represents clients across Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from him, you can do using the form below.

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August 19, 2020

Horwitz Wins Election Law and First Amendment Appeal Striking Down Discriminatory Campaign Finance Statutes, Secures $50,218.49 Fee Award

In a unanimous panel opinion, the Tennessee Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle that two of Tennessee’s campaign finance statutes unlawfully discriminate against non-partisan speakers and violate the First Amendment.  As a result, the trial win by Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws—represented by First Amendment attorney Daniel A. Horwitz—was “affirmed in all respects and remanded for further proceedings.”  Upon remand, Horwitz’s client was awarded $50,218.49 in attorney’s fees, costs, and interest.  A formal notice that the judgment had been paid and received in full was filed with the court on August 19, 2020.

“Political parties cannot lawfully censor non-partisan speakers while reserving special treatment in the political process for themselves,” Horwitz wrote in a statement to The Tennessean. “Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws is proud of this historic First Amendment victory, which makes Tennessee’s democratic process just a little bit freer for everyone.”

Daniel Horwitz is a free speech and election lawyer who represents clients across Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from him, you can do using the form below.

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June 16, 2020

Horwitz Wins Grant of Second-Ever Anti-SLAPP Petition Under the Tennessee Public Participation Act, Secures $26,500.00 Attorney’s Fees and Sanctions Award

The second-ever anti-SLAPP petition filed under the Tennessee Public Participation Act (TPPA)—Tennessee’s new anti-SLAPP statute—has officially been granted, accompanied by the largest fee-shifting award ($26,500.00) ever awarded in a defamation case filed in Tennessee.  The final order—granted by Davidson County Circuit Court Judge Joe P. Binkley—comes on the heels of a February 2020 ruling by Wilson County General Sessions Judge Barry Tatum granting the first-ever petition to dismiss a plaintiff’s claims under the TPPA.

The ruling comes after a bizarre set of circumstances in which a Nashville man, Carl Vonhartman, sued a woman, Kortni Butterton, who had rejected him on a dating app after she called 911, sought an order of protection against him, and testified at the order of protection hearing.  In response to the lawsuit, the woman filed a 361-page, 18-exhibit TPPA Petition to Dismiss all of Mr. Vonhartman’s claims and sought an award of attorney’s fees and sanctions regarding them.  In advance of the scheduled hearing on the petition, Mr. Vonhartman stipulated “that his Complaint failed to state any cognizable claim for relief against the Defendant,” that Ms. Butterton’s TPPA petition should be granted, and that “judgment shall be entered in favor of the Defendant against the Plaintiff in the amount of twenty-six thousand and five hundred dollars ($26,500.00)—inclusive of all available claims for attorney’s fees, discretionary costs, and sanctions—pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-17-107(a), Tennessee Code Annotated § 20- 12-119(c), and Tennessee Code Annotated § 4-21-1003(c).”  A formal notice that the $26,500.00 judgment had been paid and received in full was filed with the court by Daniel A. Horwitz, Ms. Butterton’s attorney, yesterday afternoon.

“Ms. Butterton is pleased to have prevailed spectacularly against this shameful SLAPP-suit and to receive an unprecedented $26,500.00 in attorney’s fees and sanctions from the man who unsuccessfully sued her,” said Horwitz.  “Tennessee’s new anti-SLAPP statute makes bogus lawsuits like this one extremely costly for those who seek to intimidate others through the legal process, so let this outcome serve as a stark warning to anyone else who is thinking about making the same mistake.”

“This case should also send a clear message to anyone who believes they are in danger,” Horwitz added.  “If you believe someone is going to hurt you, do not be afraid to seek help, and do not let fear of a bogus lawsuit deter you from protecting yourself.  Anyone can file a frivolous lawsuit, but in the event that that happens, rest assured that the law will protect you.”

Selected case documents and media coverage of the case appear below.

Selected Case Documents:

Plaintiff’s Complaint

Defendant’s Motion and TPPA Petition to Dismiss and Exhibits A–R

Final Order and Entry of Judgment for Attorney’s Fees, Costs, and Sanctions

Notice of Satisfaction of Judgment

Selected Media Coverage:

-WSMV: Court orders payment in dating app case

-WSMV: Lawsuit filed against woman who requested order of protection

-TechDirt: Anti-SLAPP Law Turns Bogus Defamation Lawsuit Into A $26,500 Legal Bill For The Plaintiff

Daniel Horwitz is a free speech lawyer who represents clients across Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from him, you can do using the form below.

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June 13, 2020

Horwitz Client Wins Sixth Circuit Appeal, Upholds District Court Order Dismissing SLAPP-Suit

In the last chapter of year-long saga, the dismissal of Déjà Vu Showgirls’s SLAPP-suit against Linda Schipani—previously dismissed outright for failure to state any cognizable claim for relief—has been unanimously upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Said Daniel Horwitz, Schipani’s attorney:

“Deja Vu has lost the same case so many times it’s difficult to keep up, but the end result is always the same: Complete vindication for Linda Schipani—who will continue to be a successful, respected businesswoman despite the best efforts of her misbehaving neighbor—and a total loss for Déjà Vu, which has become synonymous with frivolous litigation and failure.  Déjà Vu and its contractors should take this resounding loss as a lesson and stop filing baseless SLAPP-suits against their neighbors for exercising their First Amendment rights going forward.”

Déjà Vu Showgirls is a strip club located on Church St. in Nashville.  In an effort to enhance its customer experience, one of the services that Déjà Vu (briefly) provided its customers was valet parking: A service that ticked off its adjacent neighbors when its valet contractor—a company called “The Parking Guys”—trespassed on its neighbors’ property, parked vehicles in neighboring businesses’ parking lots without permission, obstructed road access, and blocked their ingress and egress.  The fact that Déjà Vu carried on its disruptive valet parking operation both without a valid permit to operate and outside of permitted hours didn’t help matters, either, leading to a permanent valet permit for the strip club being denied by city officials.

Unsatisfied that it could not continue to provide valet services to its customers, Déjà Vu and its valet contractor convinced themselves that they had been the victims of an elaborate anti-stripper conspiracy.  Thus, to vindicate their (imaginary) victimization, Déjà Vu and The Parking Guys took to state and federal court, where they sued Metro’s Traffic and Parking Commission, Metro Councilman Freddie O’Connell, and two of Déjà Vu’s neighbors—Linda Schipani and Lee Molette—asserting laughably ridiculous claims.  The claims that Déjà Vu and The Parking Guys filed against their neighbors over absolutely immunized testimony that their neighbors had given to the Traffic and Parking Commission, in particular, were legally baseless for approximately half a dozen reasons, and all of them repeatedly failed accordingly.

When the dust settled, Déjà Vu lost essentially the same claims before one Commission and the following five separate courts:

  1. The Davidson County Chancery Court, which denied all claims and held further that: “The Petitioner asserts before this Court that the Councilman and others who spoke against the permit are actually opposing the permits due to the adult nature of the Déjà Vu business, but the administrative record contains no evidence that this is the case, and indeed the record reflects the Petitioner did not raise this concern to the Commission.”
  2. The Tennessee Court of Appeals, which affirmed the Chancery Court’s denial, ordered The Parking Guys to pay Schipani’s appellate costs, and held further that “there was material evidence to support the Commission’s decision, and that its decision was not arbitrary.”
  3. The Tennessee Supreme Court, which kept the Tennessee Court of Appeals’ decision in place and denied any further effort to appeal in state court;
  4. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, which also dismissed all claims alleged due to the Plaintiffs’ failure even to state a legally cognizable claim for relief; and
  5. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, which similarly affirmed the District Court’s dismissal of all claims alleged on the basis that—as Mrs. Schipani emphasized in her briefing—“[t]he complaint does not allege membership in a protected class, or that there was any discriminatory animus on account of class membership. . . .  In fact, the complaint contains no indication of any class membership at all.  Plaintiffs therefore failed to state a claim under § 1985 against any of the defendants in their complaint.”

The deadline to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court having expired yesterday, Déjà Vu’s SLAPP-suit and its utterly failed efforts to sue its Councilman and neighbors over testimony that the strip club did not like have officially come to an ignominious end.

Daniel Horwitz is a free speech lawyer who represents clients across Tennessee.  If you would like to purchase a consultation from him, you can do using the form below.

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