rockweed

 Attorney Gordon Smith represents seven individuals, known as rockweed defendants, 

They were sued for contacting marine patrol regarding unauthorized rockweed harvesting on their property and for  or for advocating for the 2019 Ross v. Acadian Sea Plants decision, (summary of the case)

The Ross decision grants landowners the right to permit or deny rockweed harvesting on their intertidal. 

Most defendants had their claims dismissed under the state's anti-SLAPP statute, which protects petitioning activity. 

Smith is cross-appealing the Superior Court's decision, arguing that it erred by imposing a "mal intent" test for attorney's fees, which is not specified in the anti-SLAPP statute. 

He asserts that the defendants' actions were protected petitioning activities and that the lawsuit against them was frivolous.