Law Practice
Law firms reluctantly cut back on summer associate positions
By Henrik Nilsson
Law students hoping to work at firms this summer will face daunting uncertainties, if they get a chance at all. Some compare t...
Labor/Employment
Seyfarth Shaw out as attorneys for US Soccer in pay inequality case
By Jessica Mach
All nine attorneys from Seyfarth Shaw have been replaced by Jamie L. Wine and Michele D. Johnson from Latham and Watkins LLP.
Intellectual Property
Federal Circuit revives trade secrets case against San Jose company
By Craig Anderson
A federal appellate panel revived a state trade secrets lawsuit against a San Jose technology company Friday, concluding a dis...
Law Practice
Firm leader tries to avoid layoffs but hunkers down with 20% pay cut
By Craig Anderson
Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento’s largest law firm, has slashed salaries of attorneys and staff by 20% until the end of July and ...
Civil Rights
9th Circuit panel grills state on 10-round gun magazine ban
By Malcolm Maclachlan
“This seems to be quite a severe burden on the core Second Amendment right. Why shouldn’t that trigger strict scrutiny?” asked...
PG&E and the victims agreed on a settlement in December to set up a $13.5 billion trust for wildfire victims, half of whic...
Federal approach to prison releases during pandemic differs from state
By Blaise Scemama
While California state prisons and county jails free inmates before their sentences were fully served to make room for social ...
Doug Mandell worked in the past as general counsel for LinkedIn and Nauto Inc., and he worked as a personal legal advisor in S...
Criminal
Panel considers demand to release thousands of state prisoners
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Eight state prisoners have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, the plaintiffs said in their argument for release of 45,000.
Criminal
State Supreme Court affirms death penalty judgment with unusual conflict question
By Meghann Cuniff
Justices said the prosecutor’s new partnership with the defense ‘gives us great pause.’
Criminal, Civil Rights
State reports drop in number of people on prohibited gun list
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The Department of Justice report said the enforcement unit made 21,696 contacts with individuals in 2019, and seized 2,130 fir...
Government
State high court won’t hear Huntington Beach’s sanctuary law case
By Meghann Cuniff
Justices decided Wednesday not to take the case, which began as a writ petition from the Huntington Beach challenging the enfo...
Los Angeles-based Loeb & Loeb LLP announced across-the-board pay cuts Thursday, joining the list of law firms announcing c...
Labor/Employment, Intellectual Property
Mintz Levin lawyers persuade judge to dismiss trade secrets case against employees
By Craig Anderson
Citing California’s public policy protecing the rights of employees working for California companies to change jobs, a San Die...
Labor/Employment
US judge won’t force Lyft to pay drivers state-mandated sick leave
By Winston Cho
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria reasoned the drivers will likely lose federal coronavirus relief benefits if they are consi...
Government
State Supreme Court reinstates $414 million arbitration award
By Meghann Cuniff
'Narrow' ruling concerns the International treaty Hague Service Convention's applicability in arbitrations.
Keith Wesley has been elevated to managing partner at Browne George Ross LLP.
Civil Litigation
Post-crisis juries may be less inclined to award large personal injury damages, attorneys say
By Justin Kloczko
In the meantime, parties might be more inclined to settle cases as a means for scoring some short-term cash during unpredictab...
ADR Services' David Chaffee believes small steps are key in mediation.
Criminal
Courts hold remote video arraignments, defenders continue to object
By Tyler Pialet
Superior courts in Sacramento, Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties held remote video arraignments for the first time t...
The restaurant industry, which is the nation’s largest economic driving force, is battling insurers to recoup losses from busi...
Constitutional Law
Initiative to amend Constitution to guarantee bail fails to make ballot
By Carter Stoddard
A referendum on SB 10, that would eliminate bail, will be decided by voters in November.
Criminal
Prosecutors and defenders view governor’s clemency orders differently
By Blaise Scemama
“A clemency grant recognizes a person’s subsequent efforts in self-development. It does not forgive or minimize the harm cause...
The DOJ is inviting local, state and tribunal public safety agencies to apply for a grant to combat COVID-19 related problems ...
Law Practice
Law firm mergers, lateral hires drop precipitously, but some see opportunity
By Craig Anderson
With the economy screeching to a halt due to the COVID-19 virus, law firm leaders and attorneys are facing uncharted waters as...
Government
Judge tentatively halts Los Angeles from impounding ‘bulky items’ left in public
By Meghann Cuniff
The ruling comes amid a separate court action that attorneys hope will quell future litigation over homelessness.
Labor/Employment
Labor lawyers pleased with CARES but say ambiguity remains
By Jessica Mach
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act includes several provisions to bolster businesses, including the Payche...
Labor/Employment
US judge cites CARES act in Uber employee classification suit
By Winston Cho
U.S. District Judge Edward Chen cautioned it’s too risky to grant an emergency bid to temporarily block Uber from classifying ...
Government, Civil Litigation
Sacramento Public Library sues foundation using same name
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The complaint alleged the foundation “unilaterally terminated its memorandum of understanding with the library in 2015.” Two y...
Criminal
State to release 3,500 prisoners, hearing set to consider more
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The releases will begin with convicts who have 30 to 60 days more of their sentences to serve. As of Tuesday four prisoners an...