Garrett M. Cornelius v. The Chronicle, Inc.

¶ 1. These consolidated cases raise issues concerning Vermont's anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) statute, 12 V.S.A. § 1041. Plaintiff Garrett Cornelius filed suit alleging invasion of privacy by newspaper, The Chronicle, after newspaper published two articles containing information about plaintiff. In a series of orders, the trial court granted newspaper's motions to strike the claims under the anti-SLAPP statute and awarded newspaper a small fraction of the attorney's fees it sought. Plaintiff appeals the court's orders striking his claims and newspaper appeals the…