Davis, et al. v. Cox, et al. Historic Case

At a Glance

Date Filed: 

September 2, 2011

Current Status 

On March 9, 2018, Judge Murphy granted our clients’ motion for summary judgment from the bench, dismissing the case. Plaintiffs appealed to the Washington State Court of Appeals, which affirmed the dismissal on February 19, 2020. Their motion for reconsideration of the Court of Appeals decision was denied on April 24, 2020.

Co-Counsel 

Bruce Johnson and Brooke Howlett of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Barbara Harvey, CCR cooperating counsel
Steven Goldberg, CCR cooperating counsel

Client(s) 

Grace Cox
Erin Genia
T.J. Johnson
Jayne Kaszynski
Jackie Krzyzek
Jessica Laing
Ron Lavigne
Harry Levine
Eric Mapes
John Nason
John Regan
Rob Richards
Julia Sokoloff
Joellen Reineck Wilhelm

Case Description 

Davis, et al. v. Cox, et al. was a lawsuit filed against 16 current and former members of the Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors over their decision to boycott Israeli goods. The boycott was part of the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel for violations of international law and the denial of Palestinian human rights. The lawsuit was filed in a Washington State court by five co-op members seeking to block the co-op's boycott and to collect monetary damages against the board members, claiming that they acted beyond the scope of their authority and breached their fiduciary duties. The Center for Constitutional Rights and co-counsel Davis Wright Tremaine LLP argued that this action was an illegal Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) and should be dismissed, as it was an attempt to chill the board’s public statements on an issue of public interest. For more on the right to boycott, see our factsheet. This case was part of the Center for Constitutional Rights' efforts to support activists and grassroots organizations facing legal attacks for their advocacy on behalf of Palestinian human rights.

In line with a long history of social justice work, the board of the Olympia Food Co-op, a nonprofit corporation formed in 1976, passed by consensus a boycott of Israeli goods in protest against human rights abuses in Palestine. Subsequently, the co-op held annual board elections, and the five candidates endorsed by Olympia BDS won overwhelmingly. Three of the people who brought the case ran for the board opposing the boycott and lost. Instead of seeking a member vote on the boycott, they filed this lawsuit against board members.

Case Timeline

February 19, 2020
Washington State Court of Appeals affirms dismissal
February 19, 2020
Washington State Court of Appeals affirms dismissal
Appellants file a motion for reconsideration of the decision on March 10, 2020. The Court of Appeals denies the motion on April 24, 2020.
October 22, 2019
Oral argument in Washington State Court of Appeals
October 22, 2019
Oral argument in Washington State Court of Appeals
April 25, 2018
Plaintiffs appeal their loss to Washington State Court of Appeals
April 25, 2018
Plaintiffs appeal their loss to Washington State Court of Appeals
Plaintiff-appellants file their opening brief on August 13, 2018. Former co-op board members file their brief on October 3, 2018. Plaintiff-appellants file their reply on November 2, 2018.
March 9, 2018
Court dismisses case at hearing on summary judgment motions
March 9, 2018
Court dismisses case at hearing on summary judgment motions
Judge Murphy grants the former board members’ motion for summary judgment from the bench, ruling that the plaintiff Co-op members have failed to demonstrate any injury.
December 19, 2017
Former co-op board members file motion for summary judgment
December 19, 2017
Former co-op board members file motion for summary judgment
Former board members argue that the case should be dismissed because the board had the authority to approve the boycott, they cannot be held liable for protected expression, and they are not current board members. The former board members additionally note that plaintiffs essentially abandoned prosecution of the case, and include in their filing a resolution passed by the current co-op board stating that the lawsuit is not in the interest of the co-op and should be dismissed. The plaintiffs oppose the motion for summary judgment on February 12, 2018 after filing their own motion for summary judgment on February 9, 2018, which the former board members oppose on March 1, 2018. Both parties file their reply briefs on March 5, 2018.
February 19, 2016
Hearing on motion to dismiss
February 19, 2016
Hearing on motion to dismiss
Following the hearing, in an oral ruling on February 25, 2016, Judge Murphy denies the co-op board members' motion to dismiss the case.
January 14, 2016
Plaintiffs file second motion to compel discovery
January 14, 2016
Plaintiffs file second motion to compel discovery
At a discovery hearing on January 22, 2016, the judge rules that the defendants must produce all documents that they had sought to withhold under the associational privilege, despite their argument that disclosure of those documents would infringe upon their First Amendment right to freedom of association.
January 8, 2016
Plaintiffs file amended complaint
January 8, 2016
Plaintiffs file amended complaint
September - October 2015
Plaintiffs move to compel discovery
September - October 2015
Plaintiffs move to compel discovery
Plaintiffs file a motion to compel discovery from co-op board members on September 11, 2015, in advance of a decision on the board members' motion to dismiss the case. Board members file their opposition, as well as a motion for a protective order, on September 16, 2015, and plaintiffs file their reply on September 17, 2015. On October 2, the court grants limited discovery, staying depositions until the resolution of the motion to dismiss.
September 3, 2015
Former and current co-op board members file motion to dismiss
September 3, 2015
Former and current co-op board members file motion to dismiss
The motion to dismiss argues that the plaintiffs do not have standing to bring the case and that the defendant board members had the authority to boycott Israeli goods. The plaintiffs file their opposition and supporting declaration on January 29, 2016, and the defendants file their reply on February 5, 2016.
May 28, 2015

Washington Supreme Court finds Anti-SLAPP statute unconstitutional, remands case to superior court

May 28, 2015

Washington Supreme Court finds Anti-SLAPP statute unconstitutional, remands case to superior court

The court holds that the Washington Anti-SLAPP statute, under which plaintiffs’ challenge to the co-op’s boycott had been dismissed, violates the right of trial by jury under the Washington Constitution and remands the case to the superior court for further proceedings. The court does not address the merits of the case.

January 20, 2015

Oral argument takes place in Washington Supreme Court

January 20, 2015

Oral argument takes place in Washington Supreme Court

December 2014 - January 2015

Amici briefs are submitted to Washington Supreme Court

December 2014 - January 2015

Amici briefs are submitted to Washington Supreme Court

Six amici briefs are submitted by: Jewish Voice for Peace, Palestine Solidarity Legal Support, the National Lawyers Guild, American Muslims for Palestine, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network; the ACLU of Washington; Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; the State of Washington; the Washington Employment Lawyers Association; and the Washington State Association for Justice Foundation on December 5, 2014. CCR and co-counsel file their answer to amici briefs on January 8, 2015; petitioners also file their answer to amici briefs that day.

November 21, 2014

Supplemental briefing to Washington Supreme Court

November 21, 2014

Supplemental briefing to Washington Supreme Court

CCR and co-counsel file their supplemental brief on behalf of the co-op board members to the Washington Supreme Court, and plaintiffs also file their supplemental brief.

May - October 2014

Plaintiffs petition Washington Supreme Court for review

May - October 2014

Plaintiffs petition Washington Supreme Court for review

Plaintiffs petition the Washington Supreme Court for review on May 8, 2014. CCR and co-counsel file their answer to the petition for Washington Supreme Court review on June 30, 2014. The Washington State Association for Justice Foundation submits an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs' petition for review on July 15, 2014. CCR and co-counsel file their answer to the amicus brief on July 22, 2014. The Washington Supreme Court grants plaintiffs' petition for review on October 9, 2014.

April 7, 2014

Washington State Court of Appeals affirms trial court's decision to dismiss case under Washington's Anti-SLAPP statute and upholds constitutionality of statute

April 7, 2014

Washington State Court of Appeals affirms trial court's decision to dismiss case under Washington's Anti-SLAPP statute and upholds constitutionality of statute

The Washington State Court of Appeals affirms the trial court's dismissal of the lawsuit. The court holds that the lawsuit is a SLAPP and that participation in the boycott is protected by the First Amendment. The court also affirms $160,000 in statutory damages, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs for the board members, and awards attorneys’ fees for the appeal. The lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of targeting pro-Palestinian activists in the United States, particularly in legislatures and across college campuses.

February 24, 2014

Case is argued before Washington State Court of Appeals

February 24, 2014

Case is argued before Washington State Court of Appeals

January-February 2014

Lawfare Project submits amicus brief

January-February 2014

Lawfare Project submits amicus brief

The Lawfare Project, which is dedicated, in its own words, to fighting "the effort by enemies of the State of Israel to delegitimize Israel and impair its ability to defend itself," submits an amicus brief on January 27, 2014. In their answer to the amicus brief, filed on February 11, 2014, CCR and co-counsel note that "the Project's amicus brief appears to be an extension of its campaign against organizations that boycott Israeli goods or services, this time filed under the guise of protecting Washington nonprofit corporations from allegedly 'rogue actions' by their corporate boards." We argue that "the amicus submission confirms the widespread ramifications of Respondents' efforts, and is a reminder of the significant matters of public concern at the heart of this appeal.... If anything, the Project's sudden involvement in this action shows that this blunderbuss lawsuit is, in fact, about silencing speech and initimidating Respondents, the majority of whom were not involved in the decision to boycott.... The Project has as its central mission the defense of Israel, not the enforcement of organizational bylaws, Washington's corporate governance scheme, or even free speech principles (which apply with equal force to all political speech). The brief and this lawsuit plainly target Respondents' exercise of their First Amendment right to advocate and implement a boycott."

February - August 2013

Plaintiffs appeal directly to Washington Supreme Court; case is transferred to Washington State Court of Appeals

February - August 2013

Plaintiffs appeal directly to Washington Supreme Court; case is transferred to Washington State Court of Appeals

The plaintiffs appeal directly to the Washington State Supreme Court and file their opening brief on February 22, 2013, arguing that the trial court erred in granting the Anti-SLAPP motion and asking the court to reverse and remand the decision so that it can proceed on the merits. On May 24, 2013, CCR and co-counsel file their response brief, arguing that the trial court properly dismissed plaintiffs’ complaint under the Anti-SLAPP statute and the trial court's decision should be affirmed in its entirety. Plaintiffs file their reply brief on July 3, 2013. The Washington Supreme Court orders the case transferred to the Washington State Court of Appeals on August 6, 2013.

July 12, 2012

Hearing on fees and costs

July 12, 2012

Hearing on fees and costs

After a hearing on fees and costs, Judge McPhee rules that plaintiffs are liable for the costs and fees of the suit and $160,000 in statutory damages. The plaintiffs purported to bring the SLAPP on behalf of the co-op itself, which has approximately 22,000 members. They argue that the co-op should bear the costs rather than the plaintiffs individually. The judge rejects this argument and awards $10,000 for each defendant board member, plus attorneys’ fees.

March 2012

Motion for mandatory costs, attorneys' fees, and award

March 2012

Motion for mandatory costs, attorneys' fees, and award

Following the dismissal of the case on the Anti-SLAPP motion, CCR and co-counsel file a motion for mandatory costs, attorneys' fees, and award, as prescribed under Washington's Anti-SLAPP statute, on March 20, 2012. Plaintiffs file their opposition to the motion on March 28, 2012, and defendants file their reply on March 29, 2012.

February 27, 2012

Court grants CCR's Anti-SLAPP motion, dismissing case

February 27, 2012

Court grants CCR's Anti-SLAPP motion, dismissing case

The court issues its oral opinion, deciding the Anti-SLAPP statute applies and stating that it is prepared to dismiss plaintiffs’ lawsuit and award defendants attorneys’ fees and penalties. The judge also upholds the constitutionality of Washington’s Anti-SLAPP law, which plaintiffs had challenged.

February 23, 2012

Hearing on CCR and co-counsel's Anti-SLAPP motion/motion to dismiss and plaintiffs’ cross-motion for discovery

February 23, 2012

Hearing on CCR and co-counsel's Anti-SLAPP motion/motion to dismiss and plaintiffs’ cross-motion for discovery

The hearing on CCR and co-counsel's Anti-SLAPP motion/motion to dismiss and plaintiffs’ cross-motion for discovery takes place at the Thurston County Superior Court before Judge Thomas McPhee. Judge McPhee issues a ruling denying plaintiffs' discovery motion.

February 22, 2012

Plaintiffs file reply in support of cross motion for discovery

February 22, 2012

Plaintiffs file reply in support of cross motion for discovery

January 11, 2012

CCR and co-counsel file brief opposing plaintiffs’ cross-motion for discovery as well as supporting declaration

January 11, 2012

CCR and co-counsel file brief opposing plaintiffs’ cross-motion for discovery as well as supporting declaration

December 15, 2011

CCR and co-counsel file reply to plaintiffs' opposition as well as four declarations in support of Anti-SLAPP motion

November 1, 2011

CCR and co-counsel file Anti-SLAPP motion to strike complaint

November 1, 2011

CCR and co-counsel file Anti-SLAPP motion to strike complaint

CCR and co-counsel file a special motion to strike the lawsuit, urging the court to strike down plaintiffs’ effort to silence the co-op’s principled stand on Israel’s human rights violations through a policy of BDS. The special motion to strike requires parties who bring a lawsuit to demonstrate that it is not a Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit targeting constitutionally-protected free speech. SLAPPs are civil complaints or counterclaims that target the constitutional rights of free speech and petition in connection with an issue of public concern, as well as lawful conduct in furtherance of such rights. While many cases that qualify as SLAPPs are without legal merit, they can effectively achieve their principal purpose: to chill public debate on specific issues. Defending against a SLAPP requires substantial money, time, and legal resources, and can divert attention away from the public issue and intimidate and silence others. 

September 2, 2011

Five plaintiffs file case against 16 current and former board members of Olympia Food Co-op

September 2, 2011

Five plaintiffs file case against 16 current and former board members of Olympia Food Co-op

Five plaintiffs – members of the Olympia Food Co-op in Olympia, Washingto – file a lawsuit against 16 current and former members of the Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors for their decision to boycott Israeli goods. In the complaint, plaintiffs seek to prevent the enforcement of the co-op's boycott policy and to collect damages, claiming the board members acted beyond the scope of their authority and breached their fiduciary duties, despite the fact that adopting the boycott was fully within the board's powers. Moreover, plaintiffs failed to utilize the co-op's member-initiated ballot procedure, which allows any member to put an issue to a full membership vote by collecting signatures from 300 members. Instead of seeking a member vote on the issue, plaintiffs decide to sue the board members in court.