Civil Litigation
Jurist questions injury claims from Ancestry site’s use of yearbook photos
By Winston Cho
U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler challenged a central argument in the class action that the consumer DNA company illegally ...
Government, Criminal, California Supreme Court
Teen accused of double murder can’t be tried as adult, say justices
By Craig Anderson
Justice Joshua P. Groban, writing for a unanimous court, said the law was consistent with Proposition 57’s purposes.
Insurance, Civil Litigation
Defendants call plaintiffs’ business interruption coverage win an outlier
By Blaise Scemama
Of the 1,468 business interruption suits filed thus far, policyholders have survived 35 dismissal or summary judgment motions,...
Labor/Employment, California Supreme Court
Employers cannot round workers meal break times, state Supreme Court rules
By Jessica Mach
In reversing lower courts, Justice Goodwin H. Liu wrote, “The precision of the time requirements set out in Labor Code ... is ...
Environmental & Energy
Groups ask Legislature to stop DAs from prosecuting environmental crimes
By Craig Anderson
Environmental groups also want the California District Attorneys Association to repay $2.9 million in funding intended to help...
Law firms have launched internal and external diversity initiatives to address the issue, such as the creation of chief divers...
Judges and Judiciary, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Federal judges from 2 California districts ask for more judgeships
By Malcolm Maclachlan
“We are a collegial, hardworking bench, appointed by six presidents of both parties,” testified Chief Judge Kimberly J. Muelle...
Professional liability attorney helped manage several firms
Environmental & Energy
Judge considers class of trespass claimants against SoCalGas
By Gina Kim
San Fernando Valley homeowners and Southern California Gas Co. battle over class certification of trespass claims in connectio...
Environmental & Energy, Civil Litigation, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Suit against manufacturers over plastic pollution sent to state court
By Winston Cho
Despite the food, beverage and product makers insisting the lawsuit raises substantial governmental issues and is blocked by f...
Civil Litigation, California Courts of Appeal
Ruling for poultry company may be big win on labeling
By Henrik Nilsson
Court of Appeal upheld trial judge decision that the issue is preempted by federal law.
Environmental & Energy, Civil Litigation
PG&E fire victims trust seeks damages from utility’s directors, officers
By Craig Anderson
The lawsuit claims the North Bay Fires in 2017 and the Camp Fire in 2018 were both the result of “separate and distinct wrongf...
U.S. Supreme Court, Criminal
US justices pepper lawyers in California hot pursuit case
By Tyler Pialet
“I don’t know why anybody is arguing that there’s a difference between felony and misdemeanors and why we’re recognizing a cat...
Over 280 law firms together launched the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, which includes firms nationwide and focuses on identify...
Environmental & Energy, Civil Litigation
Environmentalists sue state over oil and gas lease approvals
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued a state agency often approves permits with little or no review, uses “inapplicable” except...
Labor/Employment
LA City Council passes hazard pay rule for groceries, drugstores
By Jessica Mach
Some council members expressed concerns that a proposed hazard pay ordinance could create food deserts in the city’s low incom...
Judges and Judiciary, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Los Angeles federal judge announces semi-retirement
By Gina Kim
Virginia A. Phillips of the Central District of California joins several other federal judges to take senior status in Califor...
State Bar & Bar Associations
LA County bar avoids bankruptcy, escapes $100K a month lease
By Henrik Nilsson
The 16,000-member bar association was on the brink of seeking a Subchapter V proceeding, under Chapter 11, to restructure its ...
Judges and Judiciary, Government
Judges can accept donations from employee group donors, ethics panel says
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions said the key is that there be no solicitation for donations at any stage.
Education Law
Biden’s DOJ supports Trump’s education secretary on deposition
By Winston Cho
The Department of Justice sided with former education secretary Betsy DeVos’ personal attorney, Jesse Panuccio of Boies Schill...
Labor/Employment, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
$77M verdict for flight attendants is reversed, some claims upheld
By Craig Anderson
A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel on Tuesday affirmed much of U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar’s decision, rejecting —...
Judges and Judiciary, Covid Court Ops, California Supreme Court
Neither courts nor Legislature have backlog answers
By Tyler Pialet
Speaking remotely at a joint hearing of the Assembly and Senate judiciary committees on how the pandemic has affected courts a...
Technology, Civil Litigation, Administrative/Regulatory
US judge rejects cable industry challenge to state’s net neutrality law
By Malcolm Maclachlan
U.S. District John A. Mendez also sought to draw attention to the shortage of judges in the Eastern District of California. He...
Technology, Labor/Employment, Civil Litigation
Judge casts doubt on PAGA settlement: ‘an odor of mendacity’
By Jessica Mach
Superior Court Judge Andrew Y.S. Cheng rejected a $4.98 million PAGA settlement agreement that e-scooter company Lime reached ...
Law Practice, Bankruptcy
Deal reached to let Girardi stay in home until it’s sold
By Craig Anderson
Leonard Pena, who represents Tom Girardi’s brother Robert, told Russell there was “no way for the debtor to service the mortga...
Murder charges in such cases have been rare but prosecutors are arguing that the defendants knew the drugs could cause death, ...
Litigation & Arbitration, Civil Litigation
Two law firms win $39.5M settlement for Cal State student
By Gina Kim
Brian Panish of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, who represented the plaintiff along with Adam Shea, Patrick Gunning and sole prac...
Government, Criminal
OC, LA DAs dispute what made killer accept life in prison deal
By Blaise Scemama
Kenneth Rasmuson, 59, pleaded no contest — equivalent to a guilty plea — in connection with the sexual assault and murder of ...
U.S. Supreme Court
Academics and retired judges debate changes to US Supreme Court
By Craig Anderson
Liberals enraged that Republicans now appear to have a solid voting bloc want an expansion of the court, something conservativ...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Attorneys blame client for discovery misconduct that led to $200K sanctions
By Henrik Nilsson
The client blamed the lawyers, and the junior attorney on the case said she is not responsible for any actions by the lead att...
