LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Feb. 21, 2020) – On behalf of Veterans in Politics, we are pleased to announce a huge victory for 300,000 Veterans statewide, a huge victory for free speech, and a huge victory for the Constitution! “OO-rah!”
The Nevada Supreme Court today ruled in the matter of Steve Sanson and Veterans in Politics International (“VIPI”), versus Marshall Willick and the Marshall Willick Law Group, [Nevada Supreme Court Case No. 72778].
Happily, the Nevada Supreme Court today REVERSED the lower court decision which had previously ruled against Sanson and VIPI — and this spells a huge free speech victory!
CLICK HERE to READ the Supreme Court ruling in SANSON v. WILLICK (Feb. 21, 2020)
What’s going on? Well, Steve Sanson—a long-time champion of Veteran’s Rights—is on a mission to safeguard the fundamental rights of Las Vegas parents by exposing systemic family court corruption. Towards this end, Sanson had made certain critical statements of and concerning Willick and his law firm. And then the drama began…
But most importantly, Sanson’s statements about Willick were: (1) made in direct connection with issues of public interest; (2) made in a public forum; and (3) made in good faith.
As it turns out, however, Marshall Willick and the Willick Law Group did not take kindly to Steve Sanson’s criticisms. Willick thus sued Sanson and Veterans in Politics for defamation and emotional distress, etc. And Sanson was forced to hire a defamation rights lawyer, (of which their are too few in the phone book!).
But Steve Sanson and VIPI had the good fortune to retain the services of a very capable and experienced free speech advocate, Anat “Annette” Levy, Esq., of Levy and Assoc., right here in Vegas.
Ms. Levy, a brilliant civil rights lawyer, believed that Willick’s so-called defamation lawsuit was really just an underhanded attempt to bully Sanson. Willick sought to punish Sanson for helping moms ‘n dads oppressed by corrupt family court judges. Willick sought to silence Sanson — to stop him from speaking-out against the ongoing corrupt activities that plague Las Vegas family court.
But Willick sorely underestimated the strength and resilience of his opponent — a proud United States Marine.
Sanson’s legal team evaluated Willick’s defamation lawsuit. Ms. Levy correctly diagnosed Willick’s defamation claims as “frivolous.” And so, she fought back! Ms. Levy filed a meritorious anti-SLAPP motion — designed to dismiss Willick’s frivolous claims. (Anti-SLAPP motions are special legal devices used to weed-out frivolous lawsuits by dismissing them in the first round.)
But sadly for Sanson, the trial court misapplied the law and rejected Ms. Levy’s motion to dismiss Willick’s defamation lawsuit. The defamation lawsuit would now proceed to trial.
But Sanson and Levy were not ready to accept a poor ruling. No indeed! Committed to total victory, Ms. Levy filed an articulate and well-drafted appeal to Nevada Supreme Court. And today, (Feb. 21, 2020), we are happy to announce that the Nevada Supreme Court has REVERSED the lower court decision. And this is terrific news for free speech aficionados throughout the Great State of Nevada!
To gain in-depth legal perspective, Veterans in Politics spoke with California civil rights attorney, T. Matthew Phillips, Esq. who stated that Nevada’s anti-SLAPP laws are actually based on California law.
Phillips, an experienced anti-SLAPP litigator, has been following the VIPI saga. Phillips explained: “Sanson’s a good guy. He always tells the truth. He totally made statements under subsection 4 – meaning that his statements, of and concerning the plaintiff, came in direct connection with an issue of public interest – and Carson City finally recognized this all-important factoid.”
The purpose of anti-SLAPP laws is to prevent situations where an individual, typically the “little guy” — who is often lacking in financial resources — is suddenly subjected to frivolous and costly litigation by a more wealthy opponent — who’s out for revenge because of something the “little guy” said. And that’s exactly what happened in Steve Sanson’s story.
Big-shot family court attorney, Marshall Willick, does not wish to see Steve Sanson spreading the truth (and for obvious reasons), and so, Willick slapped Sanson with a frivolous lawsuit – disguised as a defamation lawsuit. But today, thankfully, the learned justices in Carson City finally recognize Willick’s little stunt for what it truly was—a meritless legal maneuver calculated only to inflict economic burden and hardship — and punish Sanson – for telling the truth!
Steve Sanson, a proud Veteran and brave social justice warrior, is a friend to many beleaguered family court parents in the Vegas Valley. A very elated Steve Sanson today told VIPI: “Yes! That’s right. We won! And now is the time for everybody to stand up against family court attorneys and judges who railroad others!”
Sanson emphasized, “We will keep fighting the good fight! And we will keep winning – for the sake of our fellow Veterans and for everybody else as well. Yes, definitely, we will keep exposing family court corruption here in Las Vegas.”
Sanson explained, “The only reason they did this to me is because I stood up to all their corruption. We stand up for Veterans who have been lost, ignored, chewed-up and spit-out by a system of indifference that refuses to recognize parents’ constitutional rights.”
Sanson added, “Hey, I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and so did all the other devoted men and women who honorably served in our armed forces. No sir! We refuse to allow them to ignore the Constitution for which we fought.”
It is now apparent that Willick’s lawsuit targeted Sanson for his speech-related activities, and further, the lawsuit was intentionally calculated to make Sanson incur legal fees he couldn’t afford. Willick must’ve thought it a foolproof plan. Willick himself stood to incur no legal fees because, after all, he represents himself. But it was not to be. The universe today righted itself and Willick’s plan to economically bludgeon Sanson has officially backfired! Today, hope burns bright!
Sanson now awaits the court’s final details on remand. Sanson hopes the court will soon calculate an attorney’s fees award—which could be a tidy sum of money. Willick could get stung with having to pay a very substantial sum to Sanson’s attorneys. But then again, that’s how poetic justice works! 🙂
TRUTH HITS! I-TEAM — on behalf of VETERANS in POLITICS, INTERNATIONAL
Produced, and Directed by TMP’s Midnight Minions
in association with Chapter Eleven Productions,
Fly-By-Night Management Services, and
Neurotica Entertainment Group
Copyright 2020 – by T. Matthew Phillips
Semper fidelis is a Latin phrase that means “always faithful.” It is the motto of the United States Marine Corps, which shortens it to, “Semper Fi.”
tmatthewphillips 
Are you licensed to work in Nevada? If so I may want to consult with you on a possible issue. Hope all is well.
Brad Pribyl 881-212-8385
On Fri, Feb 21, 2020 at 5:40 PM tmatthewphillips wrote:
> T. Matthew Phillips, Esq. posted: “LAS VEGAS, NEV. (Feb. 21, 2020) – On > behalf of Veterans in Politics, we are pleased to announce a huge victory > for 300,000 Veterans statewide, a huge victory for free speech, and a huge > victory for the Constitution! “OO-rah!” The Nevada Supreme Court to” >
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We will give your info to TMatt. Thank you very much.
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