NOVICK v. MANGO TROPICAL CAF LLC (2022)

Mitchell Scott Novik seeks to quash a non-final order of the trial court denying his motion to dismiss Mango's Tropical Café, LLC's counterclaim for business disparagement pursuant to section 768.295, Florida Statutes (2022).¹ We dismiss the petition for certiorari for lack of jurisdiction. Vericker v. Powell, No. 3D22-645, ––– So.3d ––––, –––– – ––––, 2022 WL 3221457, at *1–2 (Fla. 3d DCA Aug. 10, 2022). We follow the Vericker court in certifying conflict with Davis v. Mishiyev, 339 So. 3d 449 (Fla. 2d DCA 2022), Baird v. Mason Classical Acad., Inc., 317 So. 3d 264 (Fla. 2d DCA 2021), and Gundel v. AV Homes, Inc., 264 So. 3d 304 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019).

Petition dismissed, conflict certified.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Section 768.295 of the Florida Statutes, titled “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) prohibited” and commonly known as Florida's Anti-SLAPP statute, prohibits lawsuits that “are inconsistent with the right of persons to exercise such constitutional rights of free speech in connection with public issues.” § 768.295(1), Fla. Stat. (2021).

HENDON, J.