Judicial Profile
Empathy forged by hardship shapes Judge Carmen Snuggs-Spraggins' courtroom
MCLE
Do I have a conflict? Case law reveals some practical ways to know
A recent California decision reinforces that a lawyer's m...
By Wendy L. PatrickThe uncertain rules of contempt discovery
Despite civil contempt's criminal-like protections--inclu...
By Scott J. NordA new approach to fighting child exploitation
DREAM Court's trauma-informed, collaborative approach bri...
By Maria Blanco, Shelly Caterino
Today's News
State Bar & Bar Associations
State Bar reverses course on certification deadline for law graduates
By Laurinda Keys
After weeks of objections from prosecutors and public defenders, the State Bar admissions chief says the agency has reversed its interpretation of a new cert...
Technology
Meta seeks to bar whistleblower from social media addiction trial
By Daniel Schrager
Meta claims former engineer Arturo Bejar destroyed Signal messages with former company employees that could have been relevant to its defense in the states' ...
Retired 4th District Court of Appeal justice was "blue-collar" jurist, led court through pandemic
Immigration, Data Privacy, Civil Litigation
Judge skeptical of immigration agents' cellphone self-collection
By Skyler Romero
Magistrate questions whether revamped process can replace forensic imaging after agents failed to produce work-related communications from personal devices
Technology
California lawmakers press OpenAI, Anthropic on AI cybersecurity risks
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Recent incidents involving autonomous models raise questions over safeguards, state defenses, and regulation.
Health Care, Pharmaceuticals, Biotech
Kaiser membership raises recusal issue for judge in $100M dispute
By Alicia Alvarez
Attorneys for Sutter Bay Hospitals asked an Alameda County judge to consider recusal over a potential conflict of interest after she disclosed she is a Kaise...
Columns
Book review: The Adventures of Herman, a Very "Special" Parrot
By George G. Lomeli
Retired Judge Rand S. Rubin's The Adventures of Herman is more than a charming children's book--it's a thoughtful story about ...
Bias is implicit in all AI, even legal AI
By Susan L. Greenberg
Attorneys who use AI must do so with their eyes wide open, understanding its limitations and recognizing that their work is ju...
Payment of benefits does not excuse unreasonable delay
By William A. Foster
A recent appellate decision makes clear that an insurer's unreasonable delay in paying benefits can trigger bad faith liabilit...
Verdicts & Settlements
| Dangerous Condition of Public Property | The Estate of Lamar McGloth... | $19,000,000 |
| Violation of Mandatory Statutory Duties | Toya Hasia-Welch v. City of... | $16,453,156 |
| Truck Accident | John Doe v. Roe Contractors | $15,000,000 |
| Negligent Supervision | Jane Doe v. Roe City | $6,000,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Maria Ventura, on behalf of... | $5,000,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Lolita Galvan, individually... | $4,275,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Troy Long, individually and... | $3,500,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Catherine Zulu, Ramy El Mal... | $3,060,000 |
| Malpractice | John Doe v. Roe Doctor | $1,970,000 |
| Breach of Fiduciary Duty | Epicurus Gourmet v. Hillary... | $1,806,950 |
On the Move
Shegerian & Associates
Nicole Leena Gilanians was promoted to counsel of Shegerian & Associates in Los Angeles. The promotion is effective Aug. 3, 2026.
Details
Shegerian & Associates has 68 attorneys in 6 offices including 5. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Employment, Personal Injury. The firm’s website is https://www.shegerianlaw.com/
Featured Content
Alternative Dispute Resolution
JAMS neutrals examine how evolving PAGA reforms, shifting case law and data-driven claims are reshaping mediation strategies i...
Where process, technology and human impact meet
Insights from experienced mediators on preparation, breaking impasses and guiding clients through multifaceted disputes
Community News
Lisa Rodriguez of San Diego County
Juliet Macaulay of Orange County
Frederick Chung of Santa Clara County
Justin Ford of Los Angeles County
Erin Murphy of Ventura County
Wilson Park of Los Angeles County
Maricela Segura of Los Angeles County
Timothy Mulhere of Orange County
Crystal Salumbides of San Diego County
Brigid Campo of San Diego County
David Kim of Sonoma County
Phoebe Maffei of San Francisco County
Rashida Adams of Los Angeles County
Denise Hippach of San Luis Obispo County
David Sapp of Napa County
Lauri Damrell of Sacramento County
Marsha Amin of San Diego County
Among them is David Sapp, who has served in Newsom's administration since 2019 and as legal affairs secretary since 2022.
Daily Appellate Report
Criminal Law and Procedure
People v. Maldonado
Due process did not require defendant's presence at competency hearing where his attendance would not have contributed to its fairness.
Contracts
Nasey v. Fell Holdings LLC
Seller's failure to provide statutory transfer disclosures did not suspend buyer's performance where the parties' agreement made disclosure a promise, not a condition precedent.
Torts, Government
Duralev v. U.S.
District court properly dismissed plaintiff's Federal Tort Claims Act claim against the Department of Homeland Security, as there was no private analog in tort liability.
Health Care
Healthcare Ally Management of California, LLC v. WSP USA, Inc.
Provider's state tort claim for negligent misrepresentation was not ERISA-preempted because it arose from pre-treatment reimbursement representations, not plan benefits.
Maritime Law
Simerley v. Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transp. Dist.
Demurrer was properly sustained where neither federal statutory nor general maritime law provided for recovery for loss of consortium for personal injury unseaworthiness claims.