Siebel v. Mittlesteadt

Opinion

CORRIGAN, J.

Here we consider what constitutes a favorable termination of a lawsuit as a predicate for a subsequent malicious prosecution action. We hold that, in this context, a postjudgment settlement constitutes a favorable termination when the malicious prosecution plaintiff received a favorable judgment in the underlying action, and settled without giving up any portion of the judgment in his favor.

Factual and Procedural Background

Initially, Debra Christoffers sued her employer, Siebel Systems, Inc. (SSI), and the company’s chief executive officer, Thomas M. Siebel. Christoffers…