GUEST COLUMNS
Friday, April 18, 2025
In Capito v. San Jose Healthcare, the
California Supreme Court addressed the scope of "unfair" business
practices under section 17200, ruling that hospitals don't need to disclose
emergency service fees beyond what is required by existing regulations, while suggesting
that "unfairness" in consumer cases may be limited by the Cel-Tech
"safe harbor" rule.
Laws have largely failed to prevent AI generated impersonations and technology companies aren't helping.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
President Trump's repeal of a 2024 rule halts mandatory crypto transaction reporting to the IRS, but crypto remains taxable as property, requiring accurate reporting of gains, losses, and income to avoid penalties.
In the aftermath of Los Angeles wildfires, policyholders must navigate complex insurance challenges to secure fair compensation and rebuild their lives - here's what you need to know.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A settlement may feel like the end of conflict,
but without careful planning, enforcement mechanisms, and foresight, it can
quickly unravel into renewed hostilities and litigation.
By providing junior associates with hands-on trial experience and meaningful roles in high-stakes business disputes, firms can foster growth, build successful teams, and achieve impactful results, as demonstrated by a recent case that resulted in a $28.5 million jury verdict.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
As design patents grow in popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and strong remedies, recent court rulings have sharpened the focus on how clearly patent drawings must define an invention, setting new boundaries for what constitutes indefiniteness in design patent law.
As California pursues its 2045 clean electricity goal, local agencies and utilities are navigating legal, technological, and policy challenges to balance grid reliability and decarbonization.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Effective payor-provider mediations require meticulous preparation, including detailed claims spreadsheets, expert input, and clear communication, with careful attention to approaches for claim grouping and productive participation.
Children sexually abused in foster care face barriers to justice when the law shields social workers under discretionary immunity without examining if meaningful discretion was actually exercised.
Friday, April 11, 2025
While technology offers efficiency, in-person
interactions are crucial for building trust and resolving emotionally charged
disputes, particularly in cases involving deeper personal stakes.
AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing legal
work by enhancing efficiency, streamlining workflows, and improving client
communication, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-level tasks while
maintaining ethical standards and accuracy in their practice.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
In L & S Framing Inc. v. California
Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, the Court of Appeal upheld
the agency's interpretation of its regulations, emphasizing that administrative
agencies' interpretations of their own rules are entitled to significant
deference, even when contested by strong arguments from the opposing party.
President Trump's recent executive order imposing universal tariffs of 10%, with higher rates for certain trading partners, raises significant legal and economic concerns, particularly over its questionable constitutional authority, its potential to harm American consumers, and its broader impact on global trade relations.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A recent court ruling raises new questions about the scope of liability for owners and contractors when subcontractor employees are involved in incidents away from the construction site.
Governor Newsom's efforts to shield California companies from foreign retaliatory tariffs by working directly with foreign governments could violate the Logan Act.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport members of Tren de Aragua without due process is an overreach of executive power, undermining constitutional rights and facing significant legal challenges.
The collision between the ancient practice of legal reasoning and AI algorithms that can simulate it with uncanny precision - but without understanding what the law fundamentally is - raises profound questions about the future of justice itself.
Monday, April 7, 2025
As the interstate abortion legal battle intensifies, a legal expert examines potential scenarios Louisiana might pursue after New York's refusal to extradite a doctor - raising questions about federal power, state sovereignty, and the constitutional limits of enforcing abortion laws across state lines.
The devastating January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles have intensified an already severe construction labor shortage, delaying rebuilding efforts, driving up costs, and creating legal challenges that require careful planning, contract protections, and compliance oversight to navigate successfully.
Friday, April 4, 2025
The use of AI in judicial decision-making raises concerns about transparency, ethical reasoning, and the potential erosion of judicial legitimacy
College sports are changing fast with NIL compensation and Title IX compliance in flux. Schools must navigate shifting federal guidance, including presidential transitions, and ensure equity in funding allocation to avoid legal risks.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
AI's role in authorship raises questions about ownership and copyright protection in both Europe and the U.S.
Successful mediation in intellectual property cases requires IP practitioners to complete five critical tasks: creating a candid list of best and worst facts, sharing these with the client, anticipating tough questions from the mediator, conducting a realistic settlement value analysis, and preparing to listen, learn, and negotiate.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners installing propane tanks in a landslide zone designated as a Very High Fire Severity Zone may face strict liability under the ultrahazardous activity standard, given the significant fire risk, potential for catastrophic harm, and the inappropriateness of propane storage in such a hazardous location.
The Federal Appeals Court decision marks a pivotal moment in secular recognition of religious arbitration.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The CSLB is tightening enforcement with new laws on "paper" subcontractors, extended criminal statute of limitations, and stricter supervision requirements, making compliance crucial to avoid penalties like license suspension, fines, and criminal charges.
Recent court rulings and proposed bill SB690 are pushing back against CIPA lawsuits targeting website technologies, like IP address collection, potentially reducing future cases.
Monday, March 31, 2025
In City and County of San Francisco v. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (2025), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down
generic receiving water limitations in Clean Water Act permits, potentially
reducing liability for public agencies but raising concerns about future water
quality enforcement.
California's 2024 PAGA amendments expand employers' ability to cure Labor Code violations but create a complicated early evaluation conference process that may prove more costly than resolving claims through private mediation.
Friday, March 28, 2025
Amid tariff uncertainty and market chaos, thoughtless 'copy and paste' M&A approaches will prove problematic as standard contract terms take on non-ordinary meanings.
Despite California's mandated implicit bias training, little progress has been made in addressing systemic discrimination affecting women and marginalized groups in our courtrooms.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
The Rhode Island case SCLS Realty v. Town of
Johnston brings the issue of "pretext" back into the spotlight,
as property owners challenge the Town's use of eminent domain to block
affordable housing development.
California and Florida's differing responses to the insurance crisis show how crucial oversight and transparency are for protecting policyholders and market stability, as highlighted by a recent Florida investigation.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
California's new Senate Bill 940, effective January 1, 2025, expands discovery rights in arbitration, aligning them with California court procedures, but raises significant legal questions about its scope, conflicts with federal law, and the burden on arbitrators to manage increased discovery requests.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), starting in 2023, targets carbon-heavy imports like steel and cement, presenting both challenges and opportunities for California exporters as they navigate evolving climate rules and trade tensions.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Trump's executive orders targeting law firms threaten the legal profession, stifle political opposition, and limit rights enforcement - plaintiff lawyers are ready to fight for what Big Law won't.
Expanding the concept of diversity beyond race to include other important factors can continue to build diverse and inclusive teams in the workplace while complying with legal standards.
Monday, March 24, 2025
In 2024, legal services ads hit $164 million in LA, part of a 39% national rise, fueling aggressive marketing, third-party funding, and straining California's economy and courts.
A class action lawsuit alleges Google generative AI scraper vacuums up creators' rights and royalties for copyrighted works.
Friday, March 21, 2025
The distinction between a court's holding and dicta can be difficult to navigate, as seen in cases like Andrew v. White, where multiple reasons for a decision are offered, with some being binding and others merely persuasive.
The United States Supreme Court's unsigned order in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition hints that the conservative majority may have second thoughts about its expansion of presidential immunity.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock
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NEWS
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General News
Friday, April 18, 2025 |
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| A judge grants a temporary restraining order against Sonoma State University, blocking $6.8 million in academic cuts, citing procedural violations and potential harm to students' education. | |
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General News
Friday, April 18, 2025 |
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| Clearing through clutter and refocusing on goals can be just as important for your finances as it is for your home. | |
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General News
Friday, April 18, 2025 |
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| More than 100 survivors suing the Archdiocese of San Francisco over alleged sexual abuse now have partial access to internal church records dating back two decades. The newly released documents, ordered by a bankruptcy judge, show church officials kept a list of credibly accused priests as early as 2003--information the archdiocese never made public. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| The spiraling cost of housing in California has affected virtually every facet of life. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| In a heated discovery dispute, plaintiffs' attorneys argue that Twitter is wrongfully withholding 12 incident reports related to a 2021 data breach that allegedly exposed 200 million users' personal information. Twitter denies there is evidence of its users' information being stolen and says the documents being sought are privileged. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| A Christmas Day explosion that leveled a home and restaurant in Capitola Village has triggered a class action against Pacific Gas & Electric, with plaintiffs blaming aging, corroded gas and electric lines. The lawsuit seeks court-ordered repairs, with more claims for injuries and property damage expected. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| Creating a stronger future for the Salton Sea depends on our unity, especially as we navigate the uncertainties of the lithium industry, and as the state prepares to disburse $10 billion from the climate bond that California voters passed in November. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| Gucci's alleged failure to pay arbitration fees on time could lead to a class action lawsuit, with claims its website misused cookies, violating user privacy despite opt-out settings. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| The owners of a mobile home park that straddles two Orange County cities say California lawmakers unconstitutionally targeted them with rent control legislation. After a 9th Circuit revival, their case is being watched for its broader implications in housing and targeting laws. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| In 1971 California's Supreme Court issued one of its most important and far-reaching decisions, declaring that the state's system of financing public schools -- primarily via locally levied property taxes -- was unconstitutionally unfair. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| When a tenant missed his eviction deadline after a ceiling collapse, he found himself lost in a legal system stacked against the unrepresented. Now, a sweeping Stanford Law study is driving reform in L.A. County eviction courts, highlighting the access-to-justice gap and offering concrete solutions--many already in motion. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali has allowed two civil sexual abuse cases to proceed against the Archdiocese of San Francisco, a move expected to pressure the church and its insurers into serious settlement talks. The trials, once halted by the diocese's Chapter 11 filing, are now set to resume in June 2025. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| Santa Clara DA charges 12 Stanford protestors with felony vandalism for allegedly trashing the president's office during a pro-Palestine protest. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| OpenAI seeks to crush a rival's trademark in Oakland federal court, accusing founder Guy Ravine of fraud. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers faces a high-stakes AI identity battle. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| A month from now, Gov. Gavin Newsom must reveal a revised version of the $322.3 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year that he proposed in January. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| In response to growing political threats against the judiciary, California legal leaders will join a national virtual event Tuesday to reaffirm the importance of judicial independence and the rule of law. The event begins at 9 a.m. (Pacific). To attend go to speakupforjustice.law. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| Meanwhile, lawmakers, law professors, and applicants push for faster fixes ahead of the July test. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| San Francisco DA Brooke Jenkins faces ethics training after the State Bar probed her for sharing confidential data, amid claims of politically driven complaints from rivals. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| Although the EEOC guidance does not have the effect of law, following its guidelines will help employers continue implementing their DEI programs without incurring legal liability. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel expressed concern Tuesday over U.S. District Judge David O. Carter's far-reaching order to evict leaseholders from the West LA VA campus and prioritize veterans housing. While the court acknowledged the VA's failings, judges warned the scope of Carter's injunction may have overstepped judicial bounds. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| A federal judge delayed ruling on Berkeley's ban of algorithmic rent-setting software, with a hearing set for April 16, after the city considers repealing it considering RealPage challenges over its constitutionality. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| Paper checks issued for tax refunds, Social Security payments and other government benefits have been dwindling and will soon be eliminated, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| The state Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a closely watched case that could determine whether auto manufacturers like Ford can compel arbitration in lemon law disputes--despite not signing the buyer's sales contract. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| In the charred landscapes left behind by the Los Angeles wildfires, a persistent sign of life has transfixed locals: trees. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| A new antitrust suit claims Aetna, Cigna and others colluded with Zelis Healthcare to illegally suppress payments to out-of-network providers, sparking a third-class action in a week. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| California's Privacy Agency debates costly ADMT rules, risking lawsuits and $3.5 billion in losses, as board member Mactaggart urges a pause amid fierce industry pushback. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| A wrongful death lawsuit against Nima Momeni, convicted of murdering tech mogul Bob Lee, also accuses Securitas and two homeowners' associations of invading privacy by releasing the stabbing footage to the media. Legal experts question whether the claims can survive anti-SLAPP defenses and privacy law challenges. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| Life in and around MacArthur Park, a once-venerated Los Angeles center, had gone alarmingly awry. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| A former Grubhub driver's lawsuit, deeming drivers as employees, heads to trial April 9 to set the amount of unpaid wages from 2014-2020, amid disputes over last-minute damage calculations. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| A San Francisco judge greenlit a $100 million settlement in a shareholder lawsuit against Wells Fargo, alleging officers ignored risk and compliance duties. Preliminary approval is set for April 23. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| The Department of Homeland Security appealed a San Francisco federal judge's order blocking the termination of temporary stay status for 350,000 Venezuelans, arguing court lacks jurisdiction. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| A bill to ban weaponized consumer robots passed a key state Senate committee Tuesday -- but not before a heated debate over whether law enforcement should be exempt, with critics warning of a dangerous expansion of police power. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| Californians accused of crimes have the right to an appointed defense attorney if they can't afford to hire their own. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| A San Francisco federal judge granted a temporary restraining order, stopping the Trump administration from imposing what he called unclear conditions on AmeriCorps grants for San Francisco schools and Santa Fe programs. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| City Controller Kenneth Mejia has repeatedly warned Mayor Karen Bass and city council members that the city was overspending vis-à-vis revenues, creating a growing structural deficit. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| The team enhances the firm's capabilities in cutting-edge technology disputes, from AI and blockchain to semiconductors and trade secrets. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| An appellate panel will hear arguments Wednesday on whether to block parts of SB 976, a California law requiring parental consent before social media platforms can send personalized notifications to minors. The case has drawn national attention - and bipartisan amicus support - as a flashpoint in the debate over online harms, free speech, and government regulation of technology companies. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| An Alameda County judge's ruling allows a lawsuit against Tesla over a teen's death in an autopilot crash to proceed, with attorney Brett Schreiber seeking massive damages for the family's loss. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| If you haven't filed your return for 2024, it's time to get started. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| Senior U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz has upheld the state's restriction on semiautomatic rifle sales to 18- to 20-year-olds, citing Founding Era norms and rejecting a Second Amendment challenge revived after the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision. The ruling is likely headed for further appeal amid a growing circuit split. | |
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General News
Friday, April 18, 2025 |
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| California Attorney General Rob Bonta has appealed a federal judge's ruling that blocked the state's Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, a 2022 law requiring tech platforms to assess risks to minors. The challenge is part of a growing legal fight between lawmakers and tech companies over children's online safety -- and the First Amendment. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| A circuit panel on Tuesday upheld a ruling denying arbitration in a class action over automatic subscription fees -- but the authoring judge also called for reversing the precedent he was bound to follow. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| A former Tesla engineer's defamation battle with Elon Musk isn't over. The 9th Circuit reversed a federal judge's decision to confirm a zero-dollar arbitration award, potentially reopening the door for claims against the automaker and its CEO--and setting new precedent on arbitration enforcement. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| Federal judge sentences Tom Girardi's form accounting chief for "symbiotic" embezzlement schemes that "hastened the firm's demise." | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| Judge Lawrence J.C. VanDyke accused the Biden administration and liberal 9th Circuit colleagues of stalling President Trump's asylum restrictions through legal maneuvering and collusive delay, in a fiery concurrence that also blasted nationwide injunctions by district courts. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| After a firestorm of criticism, state Sen. Ben Allen has agreed to amend SB 832, a bill designed to ease the financial burden of sex abuse settlements on public agencies. The move came after plaintiffs' attorneys objected to language that would have made it far harder for survivors to prevail in court. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| The Supreme Court halted a judge's order to rehire 16,000 laid-off federal workers, while unions challenge Trump's new executive order against collective bargaining with 15 departments in a separate lawsuit. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| Judge Claudia Wilken scrutinized a $2.5 billion NCAA settlement on athletes' NIL rights, noting it won't classify athletes as employees, despite objections over fairness and roster limits. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| A fierce legal battle unfolds as 504 law firms, led by ex-Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, challenge Trump's executive order targeting Perkins Coie, while top firms stay neutral or align with the administration. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| President Trump's sweeping new tariffs have rattled global markets--but for well-positioned international law firms, the disruption could translate into a wave of new work. From labor and tax issues to real estate and regulatory strategy, lawyers may benefit from the chaos. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| A federal appellate panel pressed attorneys for the state and a technology trade group over California's attempt to restrict personalized social media content for minors without parental consent. Judges questioned the law's constitutionality, carve-outs, and its potential clash with free speech rights. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| Willkie Farr & Gallagher is the latest law firm to comply with President Donald Trump's executive orders, agreeing to provide $100 million in legal services and abandon DEI initiatives -- drawing criticism from across the legal world. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| Crime victims in Contra Costa County have filed a petition to recall DA Diana Becton, alleging leniency on crime. Over 76,000 signatures are needed to trigger appear on the ballot. | |