Michael Jonsson mediates domestic violence disputes, an area of practice few want to handle.
Retired military officer Judge John Lonergan is known for thoroughly reviewing pleadings.
Law Practice
Securities litigator makes a move to Gibson Dunn from Irell
By Kamila Knaudt
Craig Varnen joined Gibson Dunn after 26 years at Irell & Manella LLP, where he chaired the securities litigation practice...
Criminal
Contra Costa DA says looting charge guidelines are misunderstood
By Tyler Pialet
The guidelines, implemented in June by DA Diana Becton, add a layer of scrutiny in deciding whether to upcharge theft or burgl...
Judges and Judiciary
Chief Justice names new voting and advisory members to Judicial Council
By Arin Mikailian
Supreme Court Justice Carol Corrigan and LA County Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile are the Judicial Council’s new voting members.
Judges and Judiciary, Civil Litigation
Defense wins 1st asbestos trial verdict by Zoom
By Craig Anderson
The sweeping win came after a trial that featured a host of objections by defense counsel, who raised concerns about comments ...
Education Law, Civil Litigation
All California schools sued over special needs education
By Gina Kim
Special needs students can’t learn properly online, says proposed class action filed in Central District.
Immigration
Immigration officials must do more to curb virus in lockups, lawyer says
By Winston Cho
Claiming the agency's proposal is too vague to even describe, let alone improve upon, plaintiffs' lawyer Emilou MacLean argued...
Labor/Employment, Civil Litigation
EEOC tightens rules for suing employers over discrimination
By Jessica Mach
This new criteria is stricter than before, attorneys noted. Under Section 707 of Title VII, the EEOC can bring lawsuits agains...
Real Estate/Development, Civil Litigation
Litigation likely against CDC’s nationwide eviction ban
By Blaise Scemama
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the ban under the Public Health Service Act to prevent the spread of dis...
State Bar & Bar Associations
State Bar issues draft rules for temporary licensure program
By Henrik Nilsson
A California provisionally licensed lawyer would be allowed to appear before a court, draft legal documents, contracts or tran...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Conservatives object to ruling vacating conviction due to warrantless phone search
By Craig Anderson
Judge Mark J. Bennett, an appointee of President Donald Trump, wrote the court should have reheard the decision en banc.
Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary
In-person meet-and-confers no longer mandatory after attorneys raise concerns
By Gina Kim
Los Angeles County court suspends mandatory in-person informal discovery disputes.
Criminal
Spread-out jurors, faulty audio feed, shuffling seat assignments in LA’s 1st trial since March
By Nick Kipley
For the most part, the press and public were relegated to listening to an audio version of the trial in a courtroom several fl...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Legal Education
February bar exam-takers as confused as hopeful July takers were
By Henrik Nilsson
The State Bar has not announced if it will administer the exam online in February or if those who don’t take it can join the s...
Law Practice, Criminal
Tulare County sheriff ordered not to keep attorneys from talking to jail inmates
By Tyler Pialet
U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd of the Eastern District of California issued the temporary restraining order against Sheriff...
Civil Litigation
Ventura judge says witnesses will wear clear face shields so their expressions can be seen
By Nick Kipley
Some attorneys said that Supervising Civil Judge Vincent J. O'Neill Jr. at first had made it optional for witnesses in the com...
Real Estate/Development, Civil Litigation
City of San Diego suspends lease payments in $120M, 20-year lease agreement on Ash Street property
By Gina Kim
Just days after a landlord of a 19-story downtown San Diego high-rise sent a threatening letter to a taxpayer that sued to sto...
Criminal, Antitrust & Trade Reg.
Chinese citizen sentenced to 18 months for stealing American semiconductor secrets
By Winston Cho
David Anderson, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, said in a statement the sentence properly “recogniz...
Corporate
Corporate counsel group hosts event on social justice and police reform
By Kamila Knaudt
The hour-long event held virtually is the second in a series of social justice modules organized by the ACC Southern Californi...
Government
State legislative session ends in late night drama, and half the bills passed last year
By Malcolm Maclachlan
In the end, just over 400 bills ended up on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. By contrast, Newsom signed 870 bills last year and vetoe...
Judges and Judiciary, Criminal
San Diego County summons jurors for Oct. 13 trial
By Arin Mikailian
Selected jurors will be spaced at least six feet apart in the courtroom or seated in a jury box with clear protective panels i...
Education Law, Civil Litigation
Judge grants preliminary injunction blocking SAT, ACT tests in UC system
By Craig Anderson
Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman, in a ruling made available Tuesday, granted a preliminary injunction sought by plaintiffs ...
Environmental & Energy, California Supreme Court
Dueling appeals filed in Monsanto case
By Winston Cho
In July, the 1st District Court of Appeal slashed nearly three-fourths of Johnson’s $78.5 million award. While the three-judge...
Law Practice, Government
Bill for permanent remote depositions and filings passes Legislature
By Blaise Scemama
SB1146 aims to alleviate the need for court reporters to be physically present for witness depositions.
Civil Litigation
US judge enjoins California’s ban on most private prisons
By Malcolm Maclachlan
SB 29 was passed in 2017 in response to President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration crackdowns. It bars local governments fro...
Government, Criminal
Legislature gives some victories to proponents of criminal justice system overhaul
By Tyler Pialet
The Legislature passed two measures the authors say will reduce discrimination in jury selection and criminal trials.
Real Estate/Development, Government
Eviction protection compromise goes up to the wire in Legislature
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The Senate passed the bill by a 33-2 margin, making it an urgency measure that would go into effect immediately if Gov. Gavin ...
Mergers & Acquisitions, Law Practice
Meyers Nave merging with San Diego employment law boutique, Brown Law Group
By Nick Kipley
Janice P. Brown, founder and chief strategy officer of Brown Law Group, joins Meyers Nave as an equity partner and plans to br...
Judges and Judiciary, California Supreme Court
Justice Chin stays busy to the end, writing opinion on his last day on the state high court
By Craig Anderson
Monday was state Supreme Court Justice Ming W. Chin's last day on the court, but he wasn't easing his way into retirement.