World Financial Group, Inc. v. HBW Insurance & Financial Services Inc.

Opinion

PERREN, J.

Defendants HBW Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. (HBW), and six of its agents 1 appeal the denial of their motion to strike the complaint filed against them by World Financial Group, Inc. (WFG), pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, the anti-SLAPP statute (strategic lawsuit against public participation). 2 The complaint primarily alleges that defendants, WFG’s direct competitors, misappropriated WFG’s trade secrets and utilized confidential information to solicit WFG’s associates and customers. The trial court denied the motion on the ground that defendants…