GUEST COLUMNS
Friday, June 27, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Zuch redefines the boundaries of Tax Court jurisdiction in CDP cases, with potential implications for how collection disputes unfold during litigation.
As Congress advances the "One Big Beautiful Tax Bill," proposed Senate reforms signal a long-term, pro-investment future for Opportunity Zones -- expanding eligibility, enhancing tax benefits (especially in rural areas), and tightening reporting requirements, all with the potential to reshape how investors engage in distressed community development.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Could a New Jersey township's plan to condemn a church for pickleball courts eventually become the U.S. Supreme Court case that finally defines what constitutes "pretextual" eminent domain?
If you have California customers sending you money -- even if you've never set foot in the Golden State -- California's tax authorities may come knocking with an income tax bill.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
A new Supreme Court ruling hints that medical
expenses from personal injuries might now open the door to RICO claims -- but
don't expect a flood of new lawsuits just yet.
In the face of escalating violence and political resistance, federal ICE and CBP agents, attacked by rioters and left without timely local support in Los Angeles, now confront a controversial California SB 627 that's seeking to unmask them.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the United States faces renewed pressure to weigh military involvement -- raising urgent constitutional questions about who holds the power to declare war and whether recent presidents have sidelined Congress in one of the nation's gravest decisions.
As accusations of politically motivated "debanking" grow louder, from religious groups to crypto firms, regulators and courts are stepping in, urging banks to adopt viewpoint-neutral policies that protect both financial access and First Amendment principles.
Monday, June 23, 2025
California's Vehicle Code section 17004.7
provides public entities with immunity from liability in pursuit-related
crashes if they adopt and regularly train officers on pursuit policies, but
ongoing litigation, including the case Gilliland v. City of Pleasanton,
could significantly impact the scope of that immunity.
A Georgia court's dismissal of the first AI hallucination defamation suit underscores just how early -- and unsettled -- the legal questions remain around generative AI's liability.
Friday, June 20, 2025
Devastated parents and bipartisan leaders are calling for urgent reform of Section 230, as Big Tech continues to hide behind the outdated law while their platforms target, addict, and endanger kids -- with deadly consequences.
Generative AI platforms are turning to centuries-old public domain documents to train their systems and sidestep billion-dollar legal battles over the use of protected works.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Public entities often invoke trail immunity in
tree-fall cases, but Toeppe v. City of San Diego draws a clear line--if
the hazardous tree exists independent of the trail, § 831.4 does not apply.
As urban fires grow more toxic, firefighters face mounting exposure to dangerous substances like mercury, lead, and carcinogens--risks that are reshaping legal protections, expanding the scope of workers' compensation, and highlighting the need for better exposure documentation and civil remedies when misrepresentation or third-party misconduct is involved.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
The deployment of military forces to Los Angeles amid peaceful protests lacks constitutional or statutory justification and raises serious concerns about potential autocratic overreach.
In a powerful and meticulously reasoned opinion, Judge Charles Breyer correctly ruled that President Trump's unprecedented federalization of the California National Guard to suppress protests in Los Angeles violated federal law, underscoring the critical importance of judicial oversight in preventing unchecked presidential authority and the unlawful militarization of domestic affairs.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
As state-sponsored cyberattacks grow more disruptive, insurers are expanding the War Exclusion to deny coverage even in peacetime--threatening to leave U.S. businesses exposed to financial losses that were previously handled through cyber insurance.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Ames v. Ohio that Title VII protects all workers equally, striking down the extra "background circumstances" burden for majority-group discrimination claims and unifying the standard for all plaintiffs.
Monday, June 16, 2025
The Trump administration's sweeping "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" may be doomed to fail because it illegally stuffs non-budgetary provisions--from AI regulation bans to court enforcement restrictions--into a fast-track budget process that's supposed to handle only fiscal matters.
National Audubon reframed water rights as
conditional privileges, establishing that environmental values are core
criteria--not secondary considerations--in California's ongoing water governance.
Friday, June 13, 2025
What is happening in Los Angeles today is not unprecedented--and if we ignore the lessons of our past, including the vital role immigrants have played in building our state and sustaining our economy, we risk repeating the injustices we once rose up to resist.
President Trump's second-term immigration agenda marks a sharp escalation from his first, with an aggressive revival of civil denaturalization efforts that put not only naturalized citizens--but also their spouses and children--at risk of losing U.S. citizenship based on past omissions or alleged misstatements, no matter how minor.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Supreme Court's decision eliminates extra burdens for majority-group plaintiffs, casting new doubt on California's Assembly Bill 7 and its reparative admissions policy.
Citing a rarely used statute and without the governor's request--President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops following ICE raids that sparked resistance, igniting a constitutional clash over presidential power, the limits of military enforcement and the meaning of "rebellion."
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
In the aftermath of devastating wildfires and mounting litigation, Los Angeles faces a critical need for accelerated legal resolution to protect its financial future and public interests--especially ahead of global events--raising the urgent question of who will lead the city forward.
Wildfire victims may be able to reduce, delay, or avoid paying taxes on insurance or settlement proceeds--especially if the fire is classified as a federally declared disaster, which unlocks key tax relief options like casualty loss deductions and Section 1033 deferrals.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
After avoiding foreign business deals during his first term, President Trump and his family now appear to have embraced international dealmaking. It's time for the public to take notice.
Despite spending significant resources to support victims, district attorney offices often fail to address serious ethical risks--particularly under Rule 4.3--when prosecutors, without proper guidance or safeguards, inadvertently give legal advice to unrepresented victims whose interests may conflict with those of the prosecution.
Monday, June 9, 2025
A recent decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade held that President Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by imposing sweeping tariffs, ruling the measures unconstitutional and enjoining their enforcement--setting the stage for ongoing appellate battles that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
The California Supreme Court in Escamilla v. Vannucci clarified that the one-year statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.6 applies only to claims by clients or intended beneficiaries against attorneys, while claims by non-clients--such as third-party malicious prosecution actions--are governed by the statute of limitations for the underlying cause of action.
Friday, June 6, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court clarified that under the federal National Environmental Policy Act, agencies are not required to assess the environmental effects of separate, future, or geographically distinct projects beyond their control, thereby affirming agency discretion in defining the act's scope.
Dairy farming in California's Central Valley, long a cornerstone of the region's economy but also a source of serious environmental and public health challenges, now stands at a crossroads--where collaboration between traditional dairies and lab-grown milk innovators offers a promising path toward sustainability, economic resilience, and community well-being.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
The outcome of Consumer Watchdog v. Insurance
Commissioner Lara will determine not only who bears the financial burden of
the next catastrophic wildfire, but also how much influence Californians retain
over the rules that shape their insurance market.
A little-noticed provision in the House's "One Big Beautiful Bill" threatens to strip federal courts of their contempt power for enforcing injunctions unless plaintiffs post security, marking an unprecedented erosion of judicial authority and a potential shield for the Trump Administration against legal accountability.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
In response to the impending expiration of key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, the House has advanced a sweeping tax proposal that includes major changes to Opportunity Zones, pass-through deductions, SALT caps, R&D expensing, and estate tax exemptions--signaling a pivotal moment for tax planning ahead of 2026.
In Lee v. Cardiff, a homeowner recovered over $475,000 after a contractor violated licensing laws on a high-end pool and landscaping project, but was denied attorneys' fees when the court ruled that most of the claims didn't arise solely from swimming pool construction as required by statute.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The states: can they counter the Trump II attack on climate change law?
Amid a nostalgic reflection on legal heroes and cultural memory, Justice Arthur Gilbert honors the legacy of Justice Stanley Mosk, his impact on civil rights and judicial integrity, and celebrates the enduring influence of courageous individuals like Arthur Drye and Roger Diamond who stood up for justice, inclusion, and principle.
Monday, June 2, 2025
Though not without precedent, an immigration-based competition show would confront substantial regulatory and ethical barriers.
Large Los Angeles County retailers will be required to give workers 14 days' notice of their schedules starting July 1 under an ordinance approved by county supervisors.
Friday, May 30, 2025
California real estate law is a complex mix of statutes, local regulations, and historical nuances that can challenge even seasoned litigators, making a solid understanding of fundamental concepts--like zoning, title, partition, and disclosure--essential for effective case strategy and resolution.
Generative AI promises to revolutionize legal practice, but attorneys risk losing their essential human skills and judgment if they become too dependent on this powerful technology.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
A small county's revenue-boosting scheme, which involves administratively penalizing property owners for presumed unpermitted cannabis cultivation, raises constitutional concerns about due process and the right to a jury trial.
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U.S. District Judge James Donato
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NEWS
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| No matter your stage in life or the size of your refund, there are ways you can use your refund to help reach your current and future financial goals. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| The DOJ's lawsuit pertains to a request for unredacted voter records after the U.S. Attorney General received a complaint over a mail-in ballot received by a non-citizen. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| Dr. Michael Wasilisin sues Therabody, alleging the company used his Theragun tip designs, breached their agreement, and denied him inventor credit and compensation, despite documented promises from founder Jason Wersland. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| Microsoft nearly doubles San Francisco tax refund claim to $29.4M. Judge allows attempt at appeal certification, potentially impacting $415M in tech tax disputes. Court of Appeal ruling could resolve related cases. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| While California is still No.1 in agricultural production among the states, generating about $60 billion a year, other sectors, such as technology, health care and logistics now play much larger roles in the state's economy. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| The Legislature's restoration of 65% of the Alameda County Court's budget cut from last year made possible a deal to give most court workers a 3% raise and other benefits after a two-day strike and months of talks. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| People who pay their rent on time can establish credit scores or significantly raise low scores if the payments are reported to credit bureaus, new research found. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| The ruling breathes new life into the Los Angeles commercial real estate company's counterclaims under the Sherman and Cartwright Acts, even as a copyright infringement trial looms. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| The ruling marks the first time a federal appellate court has affirmed a customs-based FCA trial verdict, reinforcing the government's power--and private whistleblowers' ability--to pursue civil fraud claims tied to import duties and trade enforcement. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| Redding attorney Tyler Lalaguna faces dismissal from a Zogg Fire lawsuit for alleged misconduct, including harassing counsel, ignoring court orders, and refusing to dismiss settled claims against PG&E. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| A boutique Los Angeles firm represents franchisees in five states suing Spiffy, claiming the mobile car care start-up lured them into a failing business model with inflated promises, broken equipment, and unfulfilled corporate contracts. Arbitration is underway in California and Maryland. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| A report last year from the Energy Department found AI could help increase the portion of the nation's electricity supply consumed by data centers from 4.4% to 12% by 2028. To meet this demand, some power plants are expected to burn more coal and natural gas. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Coal use has been declining for decades, but ending the use of the fuel isn't going to be easy, even in a place like California, which has ambitious climate change goals. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| The suit stemmed from McCormick Barstow LLP's role in defending Pitman Family Farms, whose alleged handling of fly infestations with banned pesticides was claimed to have caused injuries and brought a $4.1 million settlement. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Sunnyvale and Mountain View accuse San Francisco Baykeeper of allowing a lab to destroy data in a Clean Water Act trial, seeking sanctions for prejudiced defenses in a sewage pollution case. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Austin is known for live music, Texas' premier public university and being home to tech companies. It is also becoming a laboratory for autonomous vehicles. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Michael T. Colatrella Jr., a national authority on dispute resolution, will become dean of McGeorge School of Law on July 1, succeeding Michael Hunter Schwartz. He said he plans to elevate the role of negotiation, client counseling, and mediation in legal education to match the evolving demands of the profession. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| The appointments span Los Angeles, Merced, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, and Tulare Counties. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| Arts Records LLC accuses YouTube of illegally copyrighting its music videos and ignoring takedown requests for Turkish artist Muazzez Ersoy's content. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| After 6 1/2 years of denying any interest in running for president, Gavin Newsom has finally fessed up. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| The Commission on Judicial Performance has initiated formal proceedings against retired 3rd District Court of Appeal Justice William J. Murray Jr., alleging a decade-long pattern of chronic delay in deciding hundreds of appellate cases. The move follows a broader accountability effort targeting the court's historic backlog and the retirements of two other justices amid similar concerns. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Required minimum distributions -- frequently referred to by the abbreviation RMDs -- can be painful when retirees have to sell assets in a falling market. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Technical difficulties in San Francisco court delay judge's ruling on motions to dismiss him and reinstate the attorney who seeks to get him off the case. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| A new legislative report shows retail theft has increased modestly in recent years, especially in large urban counties--though rates remain far below their 1990s peak. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| Two insurers are suing fire suppression system installers for $100 million, alleging a defective design caused a 2022 flood at a San Francisco apartment building. The incident displaced 400 residents and prompted multiple lawsuits. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| There's one small bit of good news for college students heading to campus in the fall who are borrowing to fund their education: The rates on new federal loans will fall, though ever so slightly. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Some experts are worried that a recent uptick in unemployment for college graduates is a sign that companies are already using AI as a substitute for some entry-level workers. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| A 15-year Army veteran is leading a proposed class action against a fintech lender he says charged deceptive fees disguised as interest-free cash advances--violating federal protections for military personnel and consumers. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Legal advocates warn that increased enforcement and a lack of legal representation are placing vulnerable immigrants in a bind--with high-stakes consequences for those who fail to appear. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| The case highlights how international plaintiffs are increasingly looking to American courts to enforce judgments against foreign governments. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| Life insurance can play a key role in protecting your loved ones financially should you pass away unexpectedly. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| At the center of the debate is whether cy pres distributions--funds given to nonprofits and attorneys instead of users--actually serve class members' interests. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| A San Francisco judge defended in an unusual news release by the court against allegations of harassment of women public defenders has been accused of new inappropriate behavior after the Commission on Judicial Performance found previous claims against him required no action. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| The big domestic policy bill passed by House Republicans last month would, by the end of this year, eliminate tax credits for homeowners and solar leasing companies that have fueled the popularity of rooftop solar. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| California lawmakers unveiled a revised state budget that avoids deep cuts to the judiciary and includes $110 million for Proposition 36 enforcement. But Gov. Newsom's resistance and criticism from key stakeholders underscore ongoing tensions over how -- and whether -- to fund the voter-approved diversion initiative. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| In response to news reports raising four-year-old allegations about a judge's treatment of women attorneys, the San Francisco Superior Court publicized a letter it received two years ago from the Commission on Judicial Performance saying it found no basis for action against the judge. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| The suit claims violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act and follows complaints involving anti-Semitic remarks, including video evidence. The business' attorney dismisses the claims as politically motivated retaliation aimed at silencing pro-Palestinian voices. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| Apple's annual developers conference has usually been a must-watch event for what it revealed about the iPhone giant's plans. But this year's event has been more notable for what it didn't focus on: advancements in artificial intelligence tools. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| The putative class action states that the breach of records at Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard PC was foreseeable. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| The putative class action comes as the administration reportedly plans to halt billions more in funding to California and its public universities -- threatening the future of research institutions like UC and CSU. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| Gas stations are a lot bigger these days, and there's a new reason for them to keep growing: electric vehicles. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| San Francisco's City Attorney's Office used AI tool STARA to analyze municipal codes. It identified 174 obsolete reports for deletion, streamlining government processes. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| In San Francisco, children attend elementary school at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. Travelers pass through the Harvey Milk Terminal at the airport. At Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro and Market streets, a giant rainbow flag dedicated to him can be seen for miles. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| The State Controller's Office faces a legal challenge for hiring outside counsel, with the State Personnel Board arguing improper service and excessive costs, as a judge questions the attorney general's role. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge James Donato granted a preliminary injunction, halting President Trump's order that stripped collective bargaining rights from federal employees in 40 agencies and departments, citing First Amendment concerns and potential irreparable harm. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge William Alsup partially granted Anthropic's fair use motion for purchased books but set a Dec. 1 trial for copyright infringement claims involving 7 million pirated books used to train Claude. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| The U.S. Supreme Court's 7-2 ruling in Diamond v. EPA affirmed that oil companies may challenge California's emissions program, sparking fears among environmental groups that the decision could lead to a wave of industry-led lawsuits--and ultimately undermine state-level climate policy. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| An appellate panel ruled that a California law restricting firearm buyers to one purchase per month lacks historical precedent. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Investors sue Reddit, alleging executives hid Google AI's traffic impact, causing a 4.2% stock drop. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Six unions seek a preliminary injunction against Trump's order exempting federal jobs from collective bargaining, arguing it is retaliation for their opposition to his policies. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, will receive the Shattuck-Price Outstanding Lawyer Award from the Los Angeles County Bar Association this week, honoring his rare blend of legislative leadership and hands-on courtroom advocacy. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| San Francisco seeks to pause a lawsuit over homeless encampment sweeps after losing a summary judgment motion, aiming to appeal as plaintiffs claim unlawful property destruction. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| Google files U.S. lawsuit to block Brazil's order for global removal of YouTube videos alleging LATAM employee child harassment, citing free speech violations and jurisdictional overreach. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Berkeley-based mediator Ron Kelly is urging lawmakers to revise a key provision in AB 288, warning that its use of the term "binding mediation" could blur the legal distinction between mediation and arbitration--an ambiguity that could invite court challenges even as the bill aims to expand worker rights. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| Adrian Tirtanadi of Open Door Legal announces hunger protest against San Francisco's $4.2 million legal aid cuts, which the mayor has proposed among other cost-cutting to address an $800 million deficit. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| Four female athletes to appeal NCAA's $2.8B NIL settlement, alleging Title IX violations as women receive only 4% of funds. The appeal aims to address disparities for millions of female student-athletes. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| Pending litigation, backed by powerful tribal interests, could either validate or derail the framework Bonta aims to reshape | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| Attorneys say one family searched for over a year, not knowing their loved one had already died. Records show state regulators had repeatedly warned Mercy San Juan Medical Center. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| The unanimous ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court likely will encourage more white men and heterosexuals to file discrimination claims even though it doesn't change the law in California or the 9th Circuit, lawyers say | |