---
title: "Stone Hilton Obtains Key Appellate Ruling for Client"
description: "AUSTIN – Today, the Ninth Court of Appeals of Texas ruled in favor of Stone Hilton client and Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough on an important issue concerning the Texas Citizens Participation Act."
source_url: "https://www.stonehilton.com/news/stone-hilton-obtains-key-appellate-ruling-for-client"
canonical_path: "/news/stone-hilton-obtains-key-appellate-ruling-for-client"
content_type: "news-article"
---

Published: March 26, 2026

Categories: Client Wins, Appellate, Defamation

AUSTIN – Today, the Ninth Court of Appeals of Texas ruled in favor of Stone Hilton client and Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough on an important issue concerning the Texas Citizens Participation Act, commonly referred to as Texas’s “anti-SLAPP law.” Keough, the victim of a defamatory and extortionate scheme, was vindicated today after Defendants Chad Pinkerton and the Pinkerton Law Firm sought to dismiss Keough’s claims via the anti-SLAPP statute. The Ninth Court held that Pinkerton’s alleged conduct may have constituted extortion as a matter of law and ruled that the anti-SLAPP statute—like the First Amendment—does not protect speech integral to criminal conduct, allowing Keough’s claims to proceed in the trial court. Stone Hilton is proud to serve clients facing reputational harms and to participate in the development of this important area of law.

## Links

- [Read the Opinion](/api/media/file/09-25-00089-CV_09-25-089-CV%20Opinion.pdf)