Law Practice, Government
Bill ending limits to wrongful death liability on Newsom’s desk
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The state Senate gave final passage to SB 447 on Friday. It reflects a long-standing goal of the bill’s sponsors, the Consumer...
Law Practice, Law Office Management
O’Melveny snags capital markets veteran from Simpson Thacher
By Kamila Knaudt
E. Ryan Coombs, who was hired as a partner in San Francisco, is the fourth California based technology partner to join O’Melve...
Judges and Judiciary, Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Failure to agree on dates brings judge’s sanctions threat
By Jessica Mach
“Further failures to comply with the rules and orders of this court, and the rules and orders of the Central District, will re...
California Supreme Court, Appellate Practice
3rd District trades filings with opposition in case over delays
By Malcolm Maclachlan
“The ACLU asserts that petitioner’s public interest standing is ‘evident’ but omits to mention this court’s controlling author...
State Bar & Bar Associations
Returning State Bar leader wants an organization that is respected and innovative
By Henrik Nilsson
Executive Director Leah T. Wilson, back after 18 months at a consultancy, is facing a bar in turmoil over lax enforcement and ...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Criminal
Disbarred lawyer who fled to Costa Rica convicted of 22 felonies
By Henrik Nilsson
Former personal injury lawyer Philip J. Layfield was found guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud and tax evasion.
Government, Criminal
Recent murder shows zero bail bill shouldn’t pass, say state’s DAs
By Kamila Knaudt
A Sacramento woman’s murder, and charges against a man recently released on zero bail, show it is a bad policy, says the state...
Judges and Judiciary, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Biden names 3 California judges to fill 9th Circuit vacancies, 2 to district court in Los Angeles
By Craig Anderson
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the appointees would be U.S. District Judge Lucy H. Koh of San Jose, 1st District Court of Ap...
Judges and Judiciary, California Courts of Appeal
Newsom appoints Court of Appeal justice, 22 superior court judges
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Polls show Newsom is likely to survive the Sept. 14 vote, but he appears to have picked up his pace in naming judges, having n...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Counsel can’t be ineffective for not predicting future, 9th Circuit says
By Nicole Tyau
The court’s decision reaffirmed a rule that said counsel’s inability to predict changes in the law does not constitute malprac...
Technology, Civil Litigation, Antitrust & Trade Reg.
Chip manufacturers didn’t collude to fix prices, US judge rules
By Winston Cho
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White found instead that the manufacturers operate in a legal oligopoly in which a few companie...
Real Estate/Development, Government
Judge rejects Oakland’s claim that affordable rent policy is neutral
By Jessica Mach
U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar rejected the city’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, which argued the plaintiffs cannot ...
Immigration, Government
Denying asylum before processing is unlawful, U.S. judge says
By Craig Anderson
“Because Defendants’ turning back of asylum-seekers unlawfully withholds their duties under statute, it violates the process d...
Government, Criminal
Recall effort is ‘revenge’ for lawsuit, Sonoma County DA says
By Kamila Knaudt
An owner of an elderly care facility sued over fire evacuation plan is funding the effort to oust DA Jill Ravitch.
Constitutional Law, Civil Litigation
Churches that challenged closures win legal fees
By Gina Kim
Several churches defined state and local bans on limits to indoor worshipping.
Criminal
Probation officers sue Sacramento County over body cameras
By Malcolm Maclachlan
“The use of body-worn cameras by peace officers in California is governed by the California Constitution and the California In...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Civil Litigation
LA city attorney’s office claims report of cover up is inaccurate, lacks evidence
By Blaise Scemama
“The report contains material inaccuracies; reaches speculative and factually disprovable conclusions; lacks evidentiary found...
Obituaries
San Jose attorney remembered for SCOTUS arguments, passion for justice
By Nicole Tyau
Philip L. Hammer was remembered by family, friends and colleagues as an active member of the San Jose legal community and a so...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Civil Litigation
Geragos claims he doesn’t know coach involved in Avenatti Nike extortion scheme
By Jessica Mach
The coach, Gary Franklin, sued Mark J. Geragos last fall with the purported aim of holding the attorney accountable for allege...
Environmental & Energy, Civil Litigation
Irrigation districts say water board exceeded its authority
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The Banta-Carbona Irrigation District and two others said the California State Water Resources Control Board deprived them of ...
Environmental & Energy, Civil Litigation, Antitrust & Trade Reg.
Judge likely to dismiss South Korean gas firm from antitrust class action
By Winston Cho
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline S. Corley indicated she will likely dismiss SK Trading International Co. Ltd. from the class ...
Law Practice, Law Office Management
Willkie Farr launches Los Angeles office with 3 partners
By Kamila Knaudt
Partners Alex M. Weingarten; Michele M. Mulrooney and Alan J. Epstein will serve as the foundation of the Los Angeles office, ...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
LA can’t destroy bulky homeless possessions, circuit affirms
By Gina Kim
9th Circuit affirms ban on Los Angeles’ ordinance allowing officials to seize, destroy homeless individuals’ bulkier items
Government
Attorneys split on impact of DOJ body-worn camera directive
By Kamila Knaudt
Some are hesitant about the implementation and whether it would provide the accountability the department promises while other...
“Some owners cannot drive their vehicles because the smell is so strong it makes them or their passengers nauseous,” a lawsuit...
Civil Litigation, Admiralty/Maritime
Shore-based personnel in Coast Guard sector Santa Barbara did not follow procedures, protocols when it certified ill-fated Con...
“Enrique’s intellect and unique style achieved unprecedented results for his clients, and his charm endeared him to us all,” L...
Judges and Judiciary, Family, California Supreme Court
Brad Pitt asks state high court to reverse disqualification of private judge
By Malcolm Maclachlan
“In a published opinion that is likely to be widely cited and relied upon, the Court of Appeal effectively upended the constit...
Health Care & Hospital Law, Civil Litigation
Some plaintiffs are asking if $26B opioid settlement is enough
By Blaise Scemama
The deal would have Johnson & Johnson pay $5 billion and three major drug distributors pay $21 billion over the next 18 ye...
Law Practice, Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Bankruptcy
Girardi possessions auctioned to raise money for alleged victims
By Blaise Scemama
Creditors forced the Girardi Keese law firm along with suspended plaintiff attorney Thomas V. Girardi into bankruptcy in Decem...