Judges and Judiciary, Government
State Senate wants more cuts for prisons, fewer for courts
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The Senate countered the governor’s $283.3 million proposed cuts in the court system with a plan for just $100 million in red...
“Sweeping criminal releases are imposing a terrible strain on professional law enforcement, who are being required to arrest s...
Government, Civil Litigation
State high court says cities, counties cannot overcharge for records requests
By Craig Anderson
Reversing an appellate court, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday the city of Hayward must pay the costs of editing footage...
State Bar & Bar Associations
More minorities enroll in law school, but may not become lawyers, report indicates
By Henrik Nilsson
“What really matters is that people that schools do enroll, that they are in a position to join the profession and thrive in i...
A gladiator and mentor who redefined the business of family law
California Courts of Appeal
Arent Fox, Fisher Phillips sanctioned $40,000 for ‘forum shopping,’ ‘frivolous appeal’
By Justin Kloczko
The appellate court said Arent Fox, led by managing partner Aaron Jacoby, filed a “frivolous appeal” and conducted “forum shop...
Environmental & Energy
US judge leaves PG&E probation up to utilities commission
By Winston Cho
Whether Pacific Gas & Electric Co. must comply with new probation conditions will be up to the California Public Utilities...
Environmental & Energy
Utility regulator approve PG&E’s reorganization plan
By Gina Kim
The $58 billion reorganization would provide $25.5 billion to victims of wildfires in 2017 and 2018 and the rest — $22 billion...
Real Estate/Development, Government
Commercial landlords say they’ll be bankrupted by bills to help tenants
By Blaise Scemama
If passed, SB939 would among other things enact a moratorium on commercial eviction — for small businesses and nonprofits — du...
Haynes and Boone LLP launched a precision medicine and digital health practice group with the addition of partners Roger Kuan ...
Environmental & Energy, Bankruptcy
Uncast ballots not an issue, PG&E bankruptcy judge says
By Winston Cho
More than 26,000 ballots from victims of historically destructive wildfires voting on whether to approve Pacific Gas & Ele...
Insurance
Insurers, businesses differ on plan for disruption coverage
By Justin Kloczko
A proposal seeking to remedy the rift between insurers and businesses over the denial of interruption coverage as a result of ...
Labor/Employment, Government
California WARN Act lawsuit might test whether virus constitutes unforeseen business event
By Gina Kim
Does the pandemic qualify as an unforeseen business circumstance that exempts employers from providing 60-day termination noti...
Judges and Judiciary
Bill aims to give chief justice more power in any multi-county emergency
By Malcolm Maclachlan
AB 3366 passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee only after multiple amendments, perhaps illustrating the nervousness many legi...
Government, Environmental & Energy, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Oakland loses appeal in its bid to block coal from cargo shipping terminal
By Craig Anderson
The 9th Circuit panel affirmed U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria’s decision the city violated its contract with a developer t...
U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Church challenge to governor’s closure orders appealed to US Supreme Court
By Malcolm Maclachlan
This latest challenge comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom faces opposition on several fronts to his policies to combat the coronavirus ...
Judges and Judiciary
On Thursday, San Joaquin County Superior Court is partially reopening and resuming court operations.
By Justin Kloczko
Contra Costa County also reopened its courthouses for the first time in more than two months on Tuesday, with temperature chec...
Government, Criminal
Counties preparing to handle all state juvenile delinquency matters
By Tyler Pialet
With just over six months to prepare for the initial phase of the shift, leaders in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties are...
Judges and Judiciary
US Bankruptcy Judge Victoria Kaufman reappointed to 14-year term in Central District of California
By Gina Kim
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Victoria S. Kaufman was reappointed to a second 14-year term, effective May 2.
Environmental & Energy, Bankruptcy
85% of wildfire plaintiffs OK PG&E's reorganization plan
By Winston Cho
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali will scrutinize the vote when he considers whether to confirm PG&E’s plan in proceedi...
Environmental & Energy, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Climate change suits against oil companies can go forward in state court, plaintiffs’ preferred venue
By Craig Anderson
California cities and counties that have sued a host of energy companies for hiding the impact of climate change on their comm...
Real Estate/Development, Government
Ban on evictions, fines for landlords clears committee
By Malcolm Maclachlan
SB939 aims to bar evictions of commercial tenants while Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency orders relating to the pandemic remain i...
The law would significantly change that process of juror challenges in an unprecedented way, said Robert Weisberg, professor o...
Family, Criminal
Bill aims to criminalize 'coercive control' that precedes domestic violence
By Malcolm Maclachlan
“Coercive control describes an ongoing and multi-pronged strategy, with tactics that include manipulation, humiliation, isolat...
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP brought on two litigators to bolster its automotive practice.
Two food stamp recipients accused the U.S. Department of Agriculture of unlawfully withholding extra emergency food relief to ...
The ACLU was denied their request to access the government’s application to hide certain spy data from public access in a sout...
Judges and Judiciary, Government
Courts, attorneys resist proposed changes during COVID-19
By Craig Anderson
Courts and attorneys are historically resistant to change, and that’s true even in the midst of a pandemic.
U.S. Supreme Court, Government, Constitutional Law
Shutdown order questions could end at US Supreme Court
By Justin Kloczko
Although lower federal and state courts in California have ruled First Amendment rights are not absolute, especially when weig...
Environmental & Energy, Civil Litigation
Fishers’ strict liability claims to remain in oil spill case
By Gina Kim
A pipeline company criminally convicted for the 2015 Refugio oil spill in Santa Barbara County lost all its motions for decert...