Court Opinion

ID: 2824965
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-08-11 05:40:25.369474+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:43.375147
License: Public Domain

Filed 8/7/15 Mohamed v. Soliman CA2/5
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

               IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                    SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION FIVE

MAHA MOHAMED,                                                       B256434

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                                  (Los Angeles County
                                                                    Super. Ct. No. BC479575)
         v.

MOUNIR A. SOLIMAN,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Yvette M.
Palazuelos, Judge. Affirmed.
         Dicaro, Coppo & Popcke, Carlo Coppo, Michael R. Popcke and Shelley A. Carder
for Defendant and Appellant.
         Vakili & Leus, Sa’id Vakili, John A. Schlaff and Jason C. Ming for Plaintiff and
Respondent.
       Defendant Mounir A. Soliman, M.D., (defendant) appeals the trial court’s denial
of his special motion to strike (Code Civ. Pro., § 425.16)1 plaintiff Maha Mohamed’s
(plaintiff) First Amended Complaint.2 Defendant, a psychiatrist, was a friend of plaintiff
and her husband. Although he was not her doctor, in 2004, defendant wrote a letter to
plaintiff’s psychiatrist in Egypt containing a suggested treatment for plaintiff’s alleged
mental illness. Seven years later, in 2011, plaintiff’s husband used this letter against her
in child custody proceedings. Defendant moved to strike the First Amended Complaint
(Complaint), principally alleging that his letter to the Egyptian doctor constituted a “peer-
to-peer” communication, and thus was a matter of public interest under section 425.16,
subdivision (e)(4). The trial court concluded the letter concerned a purely private matter
of plaintiff’s treatment for an alleged mental illness, and thus defendant could not
establish a protected communication, and denied the motion. We affirm because simply
labeling as “peer-to-peer” a communication between two physicians concerning a single
patient on a private matter does not elevate that communication to protected speech. The
defendant did not make the requisite showing the Complaint is subject to the anti-SLAPP
statute. The letter did not concern a “public issue” and was not protected speech. (See §
425.16, subds. (b)(1) & (e)(4).)

           FACTUAL BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

1. Allegations of Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint
       a. Plaintiff’s psychiatric commitment in Egypt
       In August 1990, plaintiff married Tarek Ezzat (Tarek) in Egypt; shortly thereafter,
they emigrated to the United States. They have two children, born in 1995 and 1998.

1      All statutory references herein are to the Code of Civil Procedure.

2      The Regents of the University of California, who were also named as defendants,
are not a party to this appeal.

                                              2
       Defendant is a board-certified psychiatrist and has been employed at the University
of San Diego (University) since 1998. Currently, defendant is the Chief of Clinical
Affairs and Associate Professor of Psychiatry.
       Defendant is also from Egypt, having emigrated to the United States in 1998. In
1990, defendant and plaintiff became personally acquainted. Over the years, plaintiff and
her family and defendant and his family regularly socialized. At the time he emigrated,
defendant had difficulty getting his professional credentials in the United States, and
Tarek assisted him in that regard.
       During the summer of 1999, plaintiff and Tarek experienced marital problems.
Tarek moved out of the marital home for a brief period of time. Plaintiff and Tarek
contacted defendant to arrange a consultation. Later, Tarek moved back into the marital
home and reconciled with plaintiff.
       In 2004, plaintiff, Tarek, and their children relocated back to Egypt. In late August
2004, plaintiff threatened to leave Tarek and move back to the United States. Plaintiff
alleges Tarek perceived her threats as a sign of mental illness, and enlisted the help of
defendant and plaintiff’s older brother to concoct a scheme whereby plaintiff would be
committed to a psychiatric hospital.
       Dr. Adel Sadek, a psychiatrist practicing in Egypt, was the founder of the private
Psychological Medicine Hospital (PM Hospital) in Cairo, Egypt. Plaintiff alleges
defendant spoke to Dr. Sadek to convince Dr. Sadek plaintiff should be involuntarily
committed to PM Hospital. On August 30, 2004, plaintiff was forcibility committed
against her will to PM Hospital.
       In September 2004, Dr. Sadek contacted defendant, and requested information
regarding plaintiff’s condition. Although he was not her psychiatrist, defendant provided
information concerning his diagnosis and suggested treatment of plaintiff. Defendant
asked if Dr. Sadek would participate in a “peer-to-peer” event at the University in the
near future, to which Dr. Sadek agreed to do grand rounds.

                                              3
       Sometime later that month, defendant received a phone call from PM Hospital
stating Dr. Sadek had died and his records were incomplete. Defendant claims he
obtained plaintiff’s consent to write a letter to plaintiff’s then current attending physician,
Dr. Mona El-Sheikh, setting forth the substance of defendant’s communication with Dr.
Sadek. That letter is the subject matter of this litigation.
       The letter states: “I am writing to you in regards to the psychiatric care of
[plaintiff]. I would like to give you an overview of the case and keep you informed of my
last conversation with Dr. Adel Sadek. There are some elements that might have direct
implications on the pathogenesis of her illness, namely, an impoverished and abandoned
childhood, due to the divorce of her parents and being raised by her aunt. There is a
history of abuse at age ten and family history of psychiatric illness (brother). Significant
psychiatric symptoms and personality disorder started to manifest in the late 20s. She has
been under psychiatric treatment on and off since the mid 1990s. She has been treated
with Risperidone, Fluphen[a]zine, [Clonazepam] and Flu[o]x[e]tine. It was noted that
she has a history of poor compliance with treatment, due to the lack of insight about her
illness. With the presence of psychotic symptoms, chronic persecutory paranoia,
unwarranted suspicion, hypersensitivity, jealousy, rigidity, excessive self-importance and
a tendency to blame and ascribe evil motives to others. Also, she is overconscientious,
overdutiful and unable to relax. The diagnosis according to the DSM-IV would be
delusional disorder, paranoid personality disorder and obsessive compulsive personality
disorder. My treatment plan that was discussed with Dr. [Sadek] is to adjust the
Risperidone dose up to 5 mg/day and to add Fluphen[a]zine 12.5 mg/every 2 weeks
(injection). The psychotherapy would be an imporant aspect to improve her insight about
her illness and to increase compliance with medication.”
       Plaintiff alleged that as a result of defendant’s letter, she remained at PM Hospital
until September 28, 2004, when Tarek arranged for her release.

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       b. Plaintiff’s marital dissolution proceedings
       In December 2009, plaintiff, Tarek, and their children relocated back to the United
States. Plaintiff believes that in November 2010, Tarek made arrangements to get a copy
of defendant’s September 20, 2004 letter to use in connection with their pending divorce
proceedings. Plaintiff discovered the letter in mid-March 2011.
       In May 2011, plaintiff filed a petition for custody and support. In August 2011, in
connection with her marital dissolution proceedings, plaintiff subpoenaed defendant to
testify at a deposition. At the custody trial, Tarek offered defendant’s September 20,
2004 letter as evidence of plaintiff’s mental illness in order to gain leverage in their child
custody dispute.
       At the custody hearing, the family law court stated, “When I read [the September
20, 2004] letter, I had the opinion that Dr. Soliman was a treating physician, [and] that Dr.
Soliman had personal knowledge of [plaintiff’s] alleged mental illness,” but the court
concluded that because Dr. Soliman was not plaintiff’s treating physician, “the letter from
Dr. Soliman isn’t worth the paper it’s written on as far as being any kind of an evaluation,
diagnosis, prognosis, or anything else with regard to [plaintiff’s] alleged mental illness.
[¶] There is not one bit of other evidence that [plaintiff] was ever examined for mental
illness . . . . ” Further, the court found Tarek had “manipulated the children into
believing [plaintiff] was mentally ill” and concluded that there was no credible evidence
that plaintiff was under the care of a psychiatrist or psychologist before her involuntary
commitment in 2004.

2. Defendant’s Special Motion to Strike
       Plaintiff’s Complaint stated claims against defendant and the University for breach
of fiduciary duty, false imprisonment, defamation, invasion of privacy, intentional
infliction of emotional distress, assault, battery, negligent infliction of emotional distress,
and unfair business practices. Plaintiff sought compensatory and punitive damages.

                                               5
       On January 28, 2013, defendant moved to strike plaintiff’s Complaint pursuant to
section 425.16, subdivision (e)(4), arguing that his statements to Dr. Sadek were made in
a “peer-to-peer” context and were in connection with an issue of public interest, namely,
promotion of the University as a partner and provider of innovative patient care, cutting
edge research, and advanced education. The communications were inextricably
intertwined with this goal and because they led to Dr. Sadek’s acceptance of defendant’s
invitation to do grand rounds at the University, although they concerned only one patient,
constituted “peer-to-peer” communications. Dr. Sadek died within a few weeks of his
conversation with defendant and did not do grand rounds at the University. In spite of the
fact the letter was written approximately seven years prior to the child custody litigation,
defendant argues that because the letter was used in the subsequent family law
proceedings, the letter constituted a communication made in connection with an official
proceeding under section 425.16, subdivision (e)(1) and (2).
       Lewis L. Judd, M.D., submitted a declaration in support of defendant’s motion in
which he stated one method doctors use to promote the professional relationships
necessary to facilitate clinical research are “peer-to-peer” relationships. Defendant had
built numerous professional relationships in the Arab world. In Dr. Judd’s opinion,
defendant’s letter constituted a “peer-to-peer” communication that fell within the course
and scope of defendant’s employment at the University. Similarly, James B. Lohr, M.D.,
also submitted an expert declaration stating that defendant had built relationships with
psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals in the Arab world and has collaborated
with and provided advice to various health systems and individual providers in Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, China, Malaysia, India, and Lybia.
       Plaintiff’s opposition filed February 28, 2014, asserted that the communications at
issue were not “peer-to-peer” communications but instead were private communications
made as a family friend at the request of Dr. Sadek.3 Plaintiff argued that in fact,

3      In response to defendant’s special motion to strike, plaintiff filed a motion for
sanctions under Code of Civil Procedure section 128.7 against defendant and his counsel.

                                              6
defendant admitted in his deposition in connection with the child custody dispute that
“peer-to-peer” was not the purpose of the communication. Furthermore, plaintiff asserted
defendant had taken inconsistent positions in depositions, at first testifying that “peer-to-
peer” had nothing to do with the September 20, 2004 letter, yet in a later deposition in
connection with this action, characterized his letter as merely a “peer-to-peer”
communication. Pursuant to section 425.16, subdivision (c), plaintiff sought attorneys’
fees under section 128.5 on the basis defendant’s motion was frivolous or solely intended
to cause delay.

       a. September 2, 2011 deposition testimony in connection with plaintiff’s child
       custody dispute
       Defendant did not mention “peer-to-peer” communications at this deposition, but
testified that his 2004 discussion with Dr. Sadek was “mainly as a friend who happened to
be a psychiatrist.”

       b. May 31, 2013 deposition testimony in connection with defendant’s motion to
       strike
       At this deposition, defendant for the first time argued his letter was “peer-to-peer,”
because in addition to plaintiff’s individual care, Dr. Sadek inquired about the
University’s Department of Psychiatry, the research being done at the University, and the
type of clinical care being offered in the United States.
       Brian P. Jacks, M.D., provided an expert declaration in support of plaintiff’s
opposition. Dr. Jacks found defendant’s definition of “peer-to-peer” communications
inaccurate because according to defendant, virtually any communication between doctors

Plaintiff argued that defendant’s special motion to strike lacked merit because defendant’s
recitation of the facts was a “manifest confabulation” and defendant changed his
testimony in deposition. Plaintiff sought sanctions in excess of $84,000 based upon the
change in defendant’s testimony. The trial court denied the motion because plaintiff did
not comply with the safe harbor provisions of section 128.7.

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would constitute “peer-to-peer” communication, regardless of whether such
communications are formal, informal, or involve patients or former patients. According
to Dr. Jacks, “peer-to-peer consultation” is a term of art that means a non-promotional
communication between doctors, often in different specialties or subspecialties, in which
doctors discuss either differing approaches to certain general kinds of medical issues, or
one doctor gives another doctor an outsider’s perspective on treating a particular patient.
Thus, by definition, a non-treating doctor’s communication about someone that doctor
personally knows is not “peer-to-peer” and blurs the boundaries between social and
professional relationships. Further, defendant’s recommendations in the letter involved
him directly in plaintiff’s care, and the provision of such specific recommendations would
not have been in a “peer-to-peer” communication.
       In reply, defendant attempted to explain the contradictions in his testimony as
follows: At the first deposition in the child custody proceedings, his employer instructed
him not to answer any questions and not to involve his “peer-to-peer” activity unless
directly asked.
       At the hearing on the motion, the trial court observed, “I am sure the peer-to-peer
program exists. I think at the time [defendant] was communicating [with Dr. Sadek] that
he wasn’t engaging in this peer-to-peer communication. It was really a personal contact.
He’s doing a personal favor because he said so himself.” The trial court found that
plaintiff’s action did not arise from protected activity because defendant’s letter did not
concern a matter of public interest. Rather, the letter was written not as a treating
physician but as a family friend “who happened to be a psychiatrist.” Moreover,
defendant’s contradictory deposition testimony indicated he did not view the
communication with Dr. Sadek to be part of his “peer-to-peer” duties at the University.
Rather, defendant was trying to assist a family friend. Finally, the letter had not been
written in anticipation of litigation (plaintiff’s family law proceedings) because the letter
was written seven years before such proceedings commenced. The trial court did not rule
on plaintiff’s section 128.5 request for attorneys’ fees, although it denied plaintiff’s

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motion for sanctions under section 128.7. The trial court denied the special motion to
strike.

                                         DISCUSSION

          Defendant contends his letter constituted a matter of public interest as a “peer-to-
peer” communication between doctors, was a communication made in a judicial
proceeding (plaintiff’s child custody proceeding), and was not exempt from the
application of the anti-SLAPP statute as commercial speech. (§§ 425.16, subd. (e)(1), (2)
& (4), 425.17.) Plaintiff argues that defendant’s shifting deposition testimony
undermines his credibility whether the letter was a “peer-to-peer” communication and
moreover, it was a purely private matter.

I.        The Anti-SLAPP Statute
          Section 425.16, subdivision (b)(1) states: “A cause of action against a person
arising from any act of that person in furtherance of the person’s right of petition or free
speech under the United States Constitution or the California Constitution in connection
with a public issue shall be subject to a special motion to strike, unless the court
determines that the plaintiff has established that there is a probability that the plaintiff will
prevail on the claim.” The court must engage in a two-step process when determining a
special motion to strike. First, the moving party must make a threshold prima facie
showing that the challenged cause of action is one “arising from” the moving party’s
actions in furtherance of the right of petition or free speech. (Episcopal Church Cases
(2009) 45 Cal.4th 467, 477; Flatley v. Mauro (2006) 39 Cal.4th 299, 314; Equilon
Enterprises v. Consumer Cause, Inc. (2002) 29 Cal.4th 53, 67 (Equilon).) Second, if the
court finds such a showing has been made, the burden shifts to plaintiff to establish a
probability of prevailing on the merits. (Episcopal Church Cases, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p.
477; Flatley v. Mauro, supra, 39 Cal.4th at p. 314; Equilon, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 67.)

                                                9
       The first prong analysis depends upon conduct enumerated in section 425.16,
subdivision (e). Section 425.16, subdivision (e) states: “As used in this section, ‘act in
furtherance of a person’s right of petition or free speech under the United States or
California Constitution in connection with a public issue’ includes: (1) any written or oral
statement or writing made before a legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding, or any
other official proceeding authorized by law, (2) any written or oral statement or writing
made in connection with an issue under consideration or review by a legislative,
executive, or judicial body, or any other official proceeding authorized by law, (3) any
written or oral statement or writing made in a place open to the public or a public forum
in connection with an issue of public interest, or (4) any other conduct in furtherance of
the exercise of the constitutional right of petition or the constitutional right of free speech
in connection with a public issue or an issue of public interest.” (See Jarrow Formulas,
Inc. v. LaMarche (2003) 31 Cal.4th 728, 734; D’Arrigo Bros. of California v. United
Farmworkers of America (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 790, 799.) Discussing the first prong,
our Supreme Court explained: “[T]he statutory phrase, ‘cause of action . . . arising from’
means simply that the defendant’s act underlying the plaintiff’s cause of action must itself
have been an act in furtherance of the right of petition or free speech. [Citation.] . . . .
[T]he critical point is whether the plaintiff’s cause of action itself was based on an act in
furtherance of the defendant’s right of petition or free speech. [Citations.] ‘A defendant
meets this burden by demonstrating that the act underlying the plaintiff’s cause fits one of
the categories spelled out in section 425.16, subdivision (e) . . . .’” (City of Cotati v.
Cashman (2002) 29 Cal.4th 69, 78; accord Animal Legal Defense Fund v. LT Napa
Partners LLC (2015) 234 Cal.App.4th 1270, 1277.)
       In determining whether a cause of action arises from any act in furtherance of the
right of petition or free speech, we look at “‘the gravamen or principle thrust’” of the
action. (Episcopal Church Cases, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 477; Optional Capital, Inc. v.
DAS Corp. (2014) 222 Cal.App.4th 1388, 1399; Hawran v. Hixson (2012) 209
Cal.App.4th 256, 269.) Our Supreme Court has stated: “The anti-SLAPP statute’s

                                               10
definitional focus is not on the form of the plaintiff’s cause of action but, rather, the
defendant’s activity that gives rise to his or her asserted liability—and whether that
activity constitutes protected speech or petitioning.” (Navellier v. Sletten (2002) 29
Cal.4th 82, 92; accord, Episcopal Church Cases, supra, 45 Cal.4th at p. 477.)
       Here, the causes of action do not arise from any act in furtherance of defendants’
right of free speech in connection with an issue of public interest.

       A. Issue of Public Interest
       In arguing that the September 20, 2004 letter constituted a communication that
concerned the public interest, defendant relies on the “peer-to-peer” program at the
University. As such, he contends the “peer-to-peer” program is a matter of public interest
because it impacts a broad segment of society, promotes the expertise of the University,
and furthers the standards of practice in Egypt; thus, his friendship with the plaintiff did
not negate the fundamental “peer-to-peer” nature of the letter.
       Relevant here, subdivision (e) of section 425.16 delineates the type of speech or
petitioning activity protected. Such acts include “any . . . conduct in furtherance of the
exercise of the constitutional right of petition or the constitutional right of free speech in
connection with a public issue or an issue of public interest.” (§ 425.16, subd. (e)(4).)
The definition of “public interest” within the meaning of section 425.16 includes not only
governmental matters, but also private conduct that affects a broad segment of society or
affects a community in a manner similar to that of a governmental entity. (Damon v.
Ocean Hills Journalism Club (2000) 85 Cal.App.4th 468, 479.)
       In general, “[a] public issue is implicated if the subject of the statement or activity
underlying the claim (1) was a person or entity in the public eye; (2) could affect large
numbers of people beyond the direct participants; or (3) involved a topic of widespread,
public interest.” (Jewett v. Capital One Bank (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 805, 814; accord,
World Financial Group, Inc. v. HBW Ins. & Financial Services, Inc. (2009) 172
Cal.App.4th 1561, 1573.) Where the issue of interest is to a limited, but definable portion

                                              11
of the public, the protected activity must, at a minimum, “‘occur in the context of an
ongoing controversy, dispute or discussion, such that it warrants protection by a statute
that embodies the public policy of encouraging participation in matters of public
significance.’” (Hailstone v. Martinez (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 728, 738, italics in
original; accord, World Financial Group, Inc. v. HBW Ins. & Financial Services, Inc.,
supra, 172 Cal.App.4th at pp. 1572–1573.) A “collateral or incidental allusion[] to
protected activity will not trigger application of section 425.16.” (Trilogy at Glen Ivy
Maintenance Assn. v. Shea Homes (2015) 235 Cal.App.4th 361, 368.)
         We review de novo the trial court’s ruling on a special motion to strike. (Flatley v.
Mauro, supra, 39 Cal.4th at pp. 325-326; Soukup v. Law Offices of Herbert Hafif (2006)
39 Cal.4th 260, 269, fn. 3.) In determining the special motion to strike, “The court shall
consider the pleadings, and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts upon
which the liability or defense is based.” (§ 425.16, subd. (b)(2); Flatley v. Mauro, supra,
39 Cal.4th at p. 326; Soukup v. Law Offices of Herbert Hafif, supra, 39 Cal.4th at p. 269,
fn. 3.) But as explained by our Supreme Court, we do not weigh the competing evidence:
“‘[W]e neither “weigh credibility [nor] compare the weight of the evidence. Rather, [we]
accept as true the evidence favorable to the plaintiff [citation] and evaluate the
defendant’s evidence only to determine if it has defeated that submitted by plaintiff as a
matter of law.” [Citation.]’” (Flatley v. Mauro, supra, 39 Cal.4th at p. 326; Soukup v.
Law Offices of Herbert Hafif, supra, 39 Cal.4th p. 269, fn. 3; accord, Wilson v. Parker,
Covert & Chidester (2002) 28 Cal.4th 811, 821.)
         Additionally, where the defendant’s evidence is internally contradictory, as it is
here, and we are prohibited from weighing that evidence, the defendant cannot make a
sufficient showing of protected speech. (D.C. v R.R. (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 1190,
1223.)
         Here, even assuming that “peer-to-peer” communications can merit protection as
matters of public concern, defendant’s letter did not constitute a “peer-to-peer”
communication. Dr. Sadek did not seek defendant’s opinion because he was asking the

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medical community at large for some input on how to treat plaintiff’s condition, as would
be the basis of a “peer-to-peer” communication; rather, Dr. Sadek contacted defendant
because he was a psychiatrist and family friend who could provide specific input on
plaintiff’s condition. Thus, as Dr. Jacks observed, defendant acted more as a treating
physician in communicating both with Dr. Sadek and later in writing to Dr. Sheikh.
Neither the fact that defendant regularly engaged in “peer-to-peer” communication in
Arab countries, or the fact that he invited Dr. Sadek to do grand rounds at the University
as a result of the communication, changes this result. In the context of Dr. Sadek’s
request to defendant, the nature and circumstances of plaintiff’s treatment did not interest
a large group of people, such as doctors treating her type of purported illness. Rather, it
was a matter of private concern between Dr. Sadek, defendant, plaintiff and her family.
Finally, given the conflict in defendant’s own testimony at deposition concerning the
basis of the communications—on an issue where he bore the burden of establishing a
protected communication—the trial court properly concluded that it could not resolve the
issue in defendant’s favor. We reach the same conclusion.

       B. Communications in Connection with a Judicial Proceeding
       Defendant also contends the letter was used in connection with a judicial
proceeding and thus deserves protection under section 425.16, subdivision (e)(1) and (2).
The contention is meritless. He further contends there was no evidence that plaintiff was
damaged in the custody proceeding by the letter, as the court found no evidence of mental
illness.
       The anti-SLAPP statute defines acts in furtherance of First Amendment free
speech and petition rights to include: Any written or oral statement or writing made
before a legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding (§ 425.16, subd. (e)(1)); and any
written or oral statement or writing made in connection with an issue under consideration
or review by a legislative, executive, or judicial body (§ 425.16, subd. (e)(2)). As
explained in Briggs v. Eden Council for Hope & Opportunity (1999) 19 Cal.4th 1106, a

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defendant making a motion to strike under section 425.16, subdivision (e)(1) and (2) need
not separately demonstrate that the statement concerned an issue of public significance
because in crafting the statute, the Legislature equated a public issue with the authorized
official proceeding to which it connects. (Id. at p. 1116; see also Sipple v. Foundation for
Nat. Progress (1999) 71 Cal.App.4th 226, 236–237.)
       Under section 425.16, subdivision (e)(1), the letter did not constitute a statement
that was made before a judicial proceeding. Rather, the letter was communicated in the
context of a medical consultation and was not part of any judicial proceeding until it was
offered years later as evidence of plaintiff’s psychiatric commitment/condition.
       Further, the letter did not constitute a statement made in anticipation of litigation
under section 425.16, subdivision (e)(2). A statement falls within section 425.16,
subdivision (e)(2) if the statement concerns the subject of the dispute and is made in
anticipation of litigation contemplated in good faith and under serious consideration.
(Aguilar v. Goldstein (2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 1152, 1162.) The “good faith” and
“serious consideration” requirements do not relate to malice; rather, they insure that
hollow threats of litigation are not protected. (People ex rel. Fire Insurance Exchange v.
Anapol (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 809, 824.) Here, defendant’s September 20, 2004 letter
was not made in anticipation of litigation. At the time the letter was written, there was no
litigation on the horizon. Indeed, the letter was specifically designed to assist Dr. Sheikh
with plaintiff’s medical treatment.

       C. Commercial Speech, Section 425.17
       Next, defendant argues his communication was not commercial speech and
therefore was not within the exception of section 425.17.4 Under section 425.17, if an

4       The trial court did not base its ruling on section 425.17. However, plaintiff raised
the issue of the applicability of section 425.17, subdivision (b) in a footnote in her motion
for sanctions, contending her claim for unfair business practices (presumably Bus. &
Prof. Code, § 17500) and other unspecified causes of action of the complaint were

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action is prosecuted “solely in the public interest” or against “a person primarily engaged
in the business of selling or leasing goods or services” who makes statements about those
goods and services, the action is not subject to the provisions of section 425.16 as a
SLAPP suit. (§ 425.17, subd. (c).)
       “The Legislature enacted section 425.17 . . . to address a ‘disturbing abuse’ in
litigants’ use of the anti-SLAPP statute. (§ 425.17, subd. (a).)” (Mann v. Quality Old
Time Service, Inc. (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 90, 112.) To address these abuses, section
425.17 excludes certain types of claims that would otherwise have fallen under the scope
of the anti-SLAPP law. Subdivision (c) of section 425.17 carves out an exception to the
anti-SLAPP statute for commercial speech.
       In Taheri Law Group v. Evans (2008) 160 Cal.App.4th 482, the court addressed
the issue of whether a lawyer could be considered to be “primarily engaged in the
business of selling or leasing goods or services” under section 425.17, subdivision (c).
The court found that although lawyers were not “categorically excluded from the
commercial speech exemption to the anti-SLAPP statute,” in the case before it the
conduct in question (statements made in connection with client poaching) did not
constitute commercial speech. Taheri concluded that when a lawyer’s conduct includes
advice to a client on pending litigation, it did not fall within the statutory exemption of
the anti-SLAPP statute because such speech was more than commercial speech and to
find otherwise would conflict with a client’s fundamental right of access to the courts.
(Id. at pp. 490–492.) The same reasoning applies here—to find a claim based upon a
doctor’s medical advice to another doctor regarding a patient was exempt as commercial
speech would undermine unfettered access to medical services.

exempt from a motion to strike. Defendant addresses the issue in his Opening Brief, and
plaintiff responded in her Respondent’s Brief.

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       D. Attorneys’ Fees/Sanctions.
       Although plaintiff did not separately appeal the trial court’s failure to rule on her
request for attorneys’ fees as a sanction under section 128.5 as provided for pursuant to
section 425.16, subdivision (c), she requests that we sanction defendant pursuant to
section 128.5. This issue is not cognizable on appeal due to plaintiff’s failure to
separately appeal the issue. (In re Estate of Powell (2000) 83 Cal.App.4th 1434, 1439.)

II.    Conclusion.
       In conclusion, because defendant did not satisfy his burden to show the letter
constituted protected speech under the first step of the anti-SLAPP analysis, we do not
consider whether plaintiff demonstrated a probability of prevailing on the merits of her
claims. (See City of Cotati v. Cashman, supra, 29 Cal.4th at pp. 80–81.)

                                      DISPOSITION
       The order of the superior court is affirmed. Respondent is to recover her costs on
appeal.

                                           KIRSCHNER, J.*

We Concur:

       TURNER, P.J.

       KRIEGLER, J.

*       Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to
article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.

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