Brann & Isaacson Wins Dismissal of Retaliation Lawsuit Against Schoolteacher

Justice Billings of the Sagadahoc Superior Court has ordered the dismissal of a third complaint filed by Matthew Pollock and Jane Quirion against staff members from Regional School Unit No. 75. The teacher in this case, who is represented by partners Daniel Nuzzi and Nathaniel Bessey, was accused of retaliation against the plaintiffs to, among other things, prevent them speaking publicly about her performance and seeking her dismissal from her teaching position. Nuzzi and Bessey filed two motions to dismiss, including one based on Maine’s anti-SLAPP statute. In two comprehensive orders granting the motions (linked here and here), Justice Billings ruled that all of the plaintiffs’ claims were barred because they had already been decided in earlier litigation the plaintiffs filed; several were barred by the statute of limitations; and some failed to state a valid claim for relief. In addition, he ruled that the plaintiffs’ complaint violated Maine’s anti-SLAPP statute, warranting dismissal on that basis as well and ordering that the defense costs and attorneys’ fees be paid by the plaintiffs.