Aminpour v. Verdi CA2/5

Filed 8/21/24 Aminpour v. Verdi CA2/5 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS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 This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.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

SAEID AMINPOUR, B327213

Plaintiff and Appellant, (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. v. 22STCV01311)

MEHRAN VERDI,

Defendant and Respondent.

APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Michael L. Stern, Judge. Affirmed. John J. Gulino for Plaintiff and Appellant. Vivoli Saccuzzo and Michael W. Vivoli for Defendant and Respondent.

I. INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff Saeid “Steve” Aminpour appeals from an order awarding attorney fees and costs to defendant Mehran “Mike” Verdi following the trial court’s granting of defendant’s special motion to strike pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 (section 425.16), the anti-SLAPP statute.1 We affirm.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Motion to Strike

On January 12, 2022, plaintiff filed a complaint against defendant alleging breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. On April 1, 2022, defendant filed a special motion to strike all the causes of action pursuant to the anti-SLAPP statute. On June 14, 2022, plaintiff filed an opposition to the motion and a request for attorney fees in the amount of $56,225. In support of his request for attorney fees, plaintiff attached a declaration from his counsel, stating that counsel had spent 86 hours on the opposition and anticipated working an additional 30 minutes on the oral argument. Based on an hourly rate of $650, plaintiff requested an award of $56,225 in attorney fees.