United States Ninth Circuit

Any speech by a public employee is protected as a matter of public concern from an adverse employment decision so long as it does not fall within an unprotected category of speech, was not about private personnel matters, was directed to a segment of the general public, occurred outside the workplace and was not motivated by an employment-related grievance.

Appellate Information

• Argued 02/04/2003
• Decided 01/29/2004
• Published 01/29/2004

Judges

• Before: D.W. NELSON, WARDLAW and FISHER, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Michael P. Baranic, Gattey Cooney & Baranic LLP, San Diego, CA, for the Plaintiff-Appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Penny L. Castleman, Deputy City Attorney, San Diego, A, for the Defendants-Appellees.