Special Reports
Judicial Profile
5 decades in criminal law guide Judge Michael J. Popkins from the middle
MCLE
Arbitration clauses in commercial contracts: Strategic advantage or unnecessary constraint?
Commercial arbitration can offer privacy, expertise and s...
By Louis TambaroCIPA meets the modern web: California's data-tracking disputes and the path forward
As courts weigh whether routine website tracking violates...
By David S. Cunningham IIIProposed SB 690 eliminates pen register CIPA claims but leaves website privacy litigation intact
SB 690 could wipe out most pending pen register claims an...
By Logan Leonard
Today's News
Intellectual Property
9th Circuit weighs overhaul of decades-old copyright infringement test
By Skyler Romero
An en banc panel considering photographer Jeffrey Sedlik's copyright case against tattoo artist Kat Von D questioned whether the circuit's longstanding "intr...
A federal judge dismissed claims by Android users who said they lost money after downloading an alleged cryptocurrency scam from Google Play, finding their t...
Torts/Personal Injury
X2 closure unlikely to bolster injury suits against Six Flags, professor says
By Skyler Romero
Six Flags permanently retired the Magic Mountain roller coaster amid lawsuits alleging catastrophic brain injuries, but a torts professor said the closure it...
Attorneys who have been members of the State Bar of California for at least 10 years are eligible to apply. The deadline is Dec. 1.
Immigration
Newsom signs sweeping immigration package, vetoes legal fellowship bill
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The governor approved 21 measures restricting immigration enforcement and expanding protections for immigrants, including several likely to face federal chal...
Military Law
California expands veterans benefits on housing, leave and college access
By Douglas Saunders Sr.
Current law reduces a qualifying veteran's primary residence assessment by $180,671, adjusted annually for inflation. SB 296 exempts 50% of a home's value, u...
Columns
Real Estate/Development
New reporting rules and census tract designations signal the next phase of opportunity zones
By Phil Jelsma
As Opportunity Zones enter a new phase in 2027, investors and fund sponsors must prepare for new census tract designations, ex...
While lawsuit settlements are generally taxable, construction defect and property damage recoveries often follow different rul...
Constitutional Law
Federal preemption takes center stage in California pipeline dispute
By Michael M. Berger
A federal court ruled that the Defense Production Act preempts conflicting California restrictions on restarting Santa Barbara...
Verdicts & Settlements
| Wrongful Death | Alexandra Rasey-Smith, Gord... | $5,800,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Paul Williams, on behalf of... | $5,200,000 |
| Malpractice | John Doe v. Roe Hospital | $4,700,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Eliza Serrano, individually... | $4,100,000 |
| Premises Liability | Jane Doe v. Roe Restaurant ... | $3,250,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Daniel Kelley, on behalf of... | $2,360,000 |
| Breach of Contract | Isabel Arteaga v. Calcrete ... | $2,000,000 |
| Intentional Misrepresentation | Tiffany Young v. Brian Rich... | $2,000,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Stephanie Jones, an individ... | $1,900,000 |
| Premises Liability | John Doe v. Roe Builders | $1,550,000 |
On the Move
Cozen O'Connor
Theresa Nolan joined Cozen O'Connor as a member in Los Angeles. The move was Sept. 21, 2026.
Details
Cozen O'Connor has 1000 attorneys in 34 offices including 3. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are litigation, corporate and regulatory law, government relations, insurance, and labor and employment. The firm’s website is https://www.cozen.com/
Featured Content
Insurance defense attorneys have long been on the front lines for their clients. Now they're facing a new threat: the carriers...
Alternative Dispute Resolution
JAMS neutrals examine how evolving PAGA reforms, shifting case law and data-driven claims are reshaping mediation strategies i...
Community News
RCBA Chief Financial Officer Christopher G. Jensen of Reid & Hellyer; Lord & Brooker APC and Master of Ceremonies Michelle M. Brooker, RCBA 2026-27 President Elisabeth A. Lord, and Solomon D. Droge
(Ret.) Jeffrey J. Prevost and Harlan B. Kistler of Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler
Lucy Matevosyan of Matevosyan Law Group, honoree Virginia M. Blumenthal of Blumenthal & Moore APLC and RCBA 2026-27 President Elisabeth A. Lord of Lord & Brooker APC
Deputy Public Defender Steven L. Harmon, "James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award" recipient and "E. Aurora Hughes Award for Service" recipient Virginia M. Blumenthal of Blumenthal & Moore APLC
Thompson & Colegate LLP's law clerk Laiba Malik and associate Jazmyne D. Alverson
Daniel E. Katz of Reid & Hellyer, RCBA 2026-27 President Elisabeth A. Lord of Lord & Brooker APC and (Ret.) Judge Kira L. Klatchko of JAMS
(Ret.) Judge Craig G. Riemer, Peter J. Mort of Murrieta and (Ret.) Jeffrey J. Prevost
Stephanie Barraza, Associate Business Manager at JAMS; San Bernardino County Deputy Public Defender Andrea J. Garcia and Juvenile Courts Attorneys' Desireá M. Tucker
Paul J. Molinaro of The Law Offices of Fransen & Molinaro LLP and Thomas W. Dominick of Fullerton Lemann Schaefer & Dominick LLP
Luz E. Essenwanger of Redlands and Michael Saavedra of Represent Justice
Riverside Unified School District Teacher Teri Stamen and Superior Court Judge Carol A. Greene
Teresa Sarenana, Giro Bevinetto, Arlene M. Dashkovitz of Law Office of Arlene Marie Cordoba and paralegal Sharol Vampola
Stream Kim's Elizabeth V. Duran, Amy Zhou, Michaele M. Gonzalez, Amy J. Osborne and Antonieta T. Leal
Riverside County Superior Court’s Presiding Judge Jacqueline C. Jackson and Supervising Judge Dean Benjamini
Financial Adviser Micki Hicks, U.S. Magistrate Judge David T. Bristow and Financial Adviser Karl Hicks
RCBA Past President Megan J.G. Demshki and Casey R. Johnson, both of Aitken Aitken Cohn
RCBA 2026-27 Vice President Lauren M. Vogt of Rizio Lipinsky Heiting and Past President Megan J.G. Demshki of Aitken Aitken Cohn
(Ret.) Judge Gloria C. Trask, Gordon W. Trask III of Glendora and Superior Court Judge Randall S. Stamen
(Ret.) Judge David S. Cohn of JAMS and Michael J. Marlatt of Thompson & Colegate LLP
Gary T. Montgomery of Thompson & Colegate LLP, 4th District Senior Appellate Court Attorney Mary Ann Forrest and Donald R. Lee of Dietz Gilmor & Chazen
Deputy City Attorney Neil D. Okazaki of Corona and Superior Court Judge Christopher B. Harmon
Reel Fathers Rights' David L. Taub, Merritt L. McKeon and Priyanka Bhattacharya
Juvenile Courts Attorneys' Desireá M. Tucker; Rizio Lipinsky Heiting's associate Joseph M. Ernatt, manager Joey Ross and associate Briana A. Heiting, also an RCBA Member-at-Large
Oliver P. Cleary of Law Office of Oliver P. Cleary, Jean-Simon Serrano of Rizio Lipinsky Heiting and Superior Court Commissioner Kelly Moran
RCBA Member-at-Large Edgar B. Lopez of Law Office of Edgar Lopez APC and Leo Herrera of Herrera Law PC
Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez and Jackie Hoar, settlement conference administrator at the 4th District Court of Appeal
JAMS' mediators (Ret.) Judge David S. Cohn and (Ret.) Judge Chad W. Firetag
RCBA Barristers President Nolan B. Kistler of the Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler, Heather A. Green of Blumenthal & Moore APLC and Christopher A. Johnson of Reid & Hellyer
Paul Grech Jr. of Law Offices of Grech Packer & Hanks and (Ret.) Judge Harold W. Hopp
Wade Pyun, chief legal officer of Altura Credit Union and Ellen M. Peng of Riverside
RCBA 2026-27 President Elisabeth A. Lord of Lord & Brooker APC (center) with past presidents, board members, and honorees
RCBA Recognition of 50-Year State Bar Members: Daniel E. Olson of Riverside, Senior Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez and James O. Heiting of Heiting & Irwin
Arturo M. Cisneros of Malcolm Cisneros, Teresa Cisneros and Superior Court Judge Randall S. Stamen
Virginia M. Blumenthal and Steven L. Harmon presented each other with the association's top service awards as Elisabeth A. Lord was installed as RCBA president.
Daily Appellate Report
Torts, Government
Weston v. Dept. of Transportation
A claim under Vehicle Code section 17001 against a public entity remains subject to the Government Claims Act's claim presentation requirements.
Torts, Evidence
Osaze v. Gee
An unwitnessed fatal fall does not make expert causation testimony speculative when biomechanical evidence provides a reasoned basis for identifying the probable cause.
Juveniles
In re J.G.
Juvenile court had discretion to apportion restitution among all participants in offense even though only one of them was actually charged with a crime.
Anti-SLAPP
Blackman v. Substack
Journalist's Substack reporting on sealed arrest records was protected under California's Anti-SLAPP statute.
Criminal Law and Procedure
People v. Toussaint
Kern County District Attorney lacked authority to exercise the People's right to appeal the Alameda County Superior Court's resentencing order.