Government
Courts likely to be hit hard as California finances crater
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The current crisis makes good on a prediction former Gov. Jerry Brown made for years after spending most of his last two terms...
Government, Civil Rights
US judge unlikely to block governor’s ban on Capitol protests
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The judge noted events outside the court, specifically the several dozen people gathered at the Capitol just a few blocks away...
Judges and Judiciary, Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Johnson makes emotional defense in bid to remain a justice
By Craig Anderson
During an emotional defense that mixed regret and defiance, 2nd District Court of Appeal Justice Jeffrey W. Johnson argued Thu...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Legal Education
Law firms, schools, attorney mentors find new ways to administer oaths to latest bar exam passers
By Henrik Nilsson
Videoconferencing will replace traditional gatherings. But attorneys and deans are saying that administering the oath remotely...
Labor/Employment
Plaintiffs’ attorneys, business lawyers battle over PAGA moratorium request
By Justin Kloczko
A collective of pro-worker and plaintiff groups, including the Consumer Attorneys of California, have asked Gov. Gavin Newsom ...
Law Practice, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Mediator offers services for free to front line workers
By Kamila Knaudt
Jeff Kichaven, an independent mediator, is offering his services pro bono to those working on the front lines of the COVID-19 ...
Civil Litigation
24-hour fitness sued for allegedly collecting membership dues while closed down
By Winston Cho
A class action was filed against 24 Hour Fitness USA Inc. alleging it continues to collect membership dues while its 430 gyms ...
Immigration, Government, Civil Litigation
Lawsuit challenges stimulus fund denial for kin of undocumented
By Gina Kim
The federal government has been sued for refusing give a stimulus check to a U.S. citizen because her spouse is in the United ...
A federal judge in San Jose threw out a class action accusing Google of illegally recording, listening to and profiting off of...
Environmental & Energy
Ratepayers criticize suspension of $200M fees from $2B PG&E fine
By Gina Kim
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. fined $1.937B for starting 2017-18 wildfires.
Workers' Comp., Labor/Employment
Workers’ comp burden is shifted to employer in virus cases
By Jessica Mach
A state executive order that shifts the burden of proof almost entirely to employers for workers' compensation claims related ...
Criminal
Felony murder law should be decided by state Supreme Court, DAs say
By Tyler Pialet
The law amended California’s felony murder rule to eliminate liability for murder under the natural and probable consequences ...
Government, Civil Rights
Newsom’s emergency power is again challenged in federal court
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Many attorneys say Newsom’s right to make such orders is pretty firmly grounded in constitutional and statutory law. But other...
State Bar & Bar Associations
State Bar sues online attorney referral service, warning lawyers who used it
By Henrik Nilsson
Attorneys who have accepted referrals from LegalMatch could, therefore, be in trouble since there are no disclaimers on its we...
Immigration, Government
Supreme Court refuses to block $75M payout to undocumented immigrants
By Blaise Scemama
The petition, filed April 22 by Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Dhillon Law group and the Center for American Liberty, said the paym...
Judges and Judiciary, Government
Orange County moves case management hearings to 2021
By Gina Kim
Orange County C Superior Court eliminates case management conferences and won’t take case management statements until the end ...
By taking out a federal loan to meet growing demands for unemployment benefits across the state, California might be positioni...
Labor/Employment
Uber tells judge sick pay plan is huge success, drivers say no
By Winston Cho
Uber is allegedly violating an agreement to expand its financial assistance program to provide paid sick leave for drivers les...
The University of Southern California is the latest educational institution hit with class actions from students fighting to g...
Government
LA judge OKs $75M in state funds to those in the country illegally
By Justin Kloczko
Judge Samantha P. Jessner said the $75 million didn’t rise to a significant level of harm to taxpayers.
Government
Lawmakers return to Sacramento with urgency fueled by pandemic
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The California Bankers Association and the California Credit Unions League opposed the bill, saying it is too broad.
Criminal
Riverside County under federal order to social distance its jail inmates
By Blaise Scemama
U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips said the county “has failed to demonstrate that it is currently taking adequate precauti...
Labor/Employment, Government, California Supreme Court
State high court considers pension benefits dispute
By Craig Anderson
The California Supreme Court considered arguments Tuesday over a 2013 law that reduced some retirees’ pension benefits in what...
Civil Litigation
Panel overturns most of $9.4M award to Quincy Jones, who sued Jackson estate
By Blaise Scemama
“Interpretation of the producer agreements was solely a judicial function, yet the trial court allowed the jury to perform tha...
LA County Judge Daniel Crowley does a complete analysis of issues before him.
Government
LA Registrar-Recorder will accept electronically signed documents
By Kamila Knaudt
The Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder County Clerk will now accept electronically signed and notarized documents, according to an...
Judges and Judiciary
San Diego County court announces plan to reopen May 26
By Kamila Knaudt
San Diego County Superior Court plans to re-open May 26. The court's suspension of all non-emergency services is effective thr...
Judges and Judiciary
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney sworn in as magistrate judge for Central District
By Gina Kim
Patricia A. Donahue has been appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District.
Labor/Employment, Government
Businesses sue over Paycheck Protection Program guidelines
By Gina Kim
New lawsuit questions recent guidelines issued by the U.S. Treasury Department and Small Business Administration reimposing a ...
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP is escalating its battle against insurers for refusing to cover restaurant losses c...