It's settled: participating in mediation early on in divorce proceedings is more cost effective, less time consuming and amica...
Cumbersome local employment ordinances with barely any track record may become state law unless legislators put on the brakes....
According to a recent lawsuit, the Coachella Music Festival is also about reining in fast fashion's desire to make a quick buc...
Judges and Judiciary
Justice Richard Aldrich to retire from 2nd District Court of Appeal in June
By Arin Mikailian
"Opening a new set of briefs is like opening the daily newspaper," Aldrich said, preparing to end almost 23 years on the appel...
Civil Litigation, Intellectual Property
Inside the DMCA's black box
By Jennifer M. Urban
Does the notice and takedown system -- which limits online service providers' responsibility to police their services for copy...
Corporate, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Internal whistleblower reports are protected
By Stephen L. Cohen, W. Hardy Callcott
A divided 9th Circuit panel said a company's retaliation for internal reports is actionable under Dodd-Frank.
Health Care & Hospital Law, Government, Administrative/Regulatory
Affordable Care Act gets an uncertain prognosis
By Michael C. Parme, Theresa M. Wynne
It remains to be seen whether a replacement plan will succeed; in the meantime, an ACA checkup is in order. ...
Labor/Employment, Immigration
Protecting immigrant workers' rights
By Kati L. Griffith
States can do more to protect unauthorized immigrant workers' rights, particularly in light of inadequate federal support. ...
The Trump administration's agenda could make a bad situation worse and place women's reproductive autonomy at increased risk. ...
Civil Litigation, Bankruptcy
When courts can approve structured dismissals
By David S. Kupetz
In bankruptcy courts as on the playground, everyone has to wait their turn, says the U.S. Supreme Court. No cutting allowed in...
Should you file an amended return, and what are the pitfalls?
U.S. Supreme Court, Intellectual Property
New copyright test may not be the final chapter
By Elliot N. Brown
One wonders whether the Supreme Court's new test will resolve or replicate the puzzles that led to this decision.
As one court has stated, "even if the insurer has not denied coverage or refused to defend, the insurer has a duty to accept a...
Long before dueling banjos, there were dueling people, including dueling politicians. ...
Government, California Supreme Court
Jerry Brown's legacy at the high court
By Joseph R. Grodin
In August, Jerry Brown will have the opportunity to appoint his 11th Supreme Court justice. But the numbers aren't the end of ...
U.S. Supreme Court, Constitutional Law
The next big takings case... maybe
By Michael M. Berger
The Supreme Court has for years been unable to arrive at a simple rule for determining when a regulation constitutes a taking.
Securities, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate
Private equity sponsors using SPACs
By Sara L. Terheggen
Historically, "special purpose acquisition companies" only appealed to hedge fund investors. But recent years have seen a shif...
U.S. Supreme Court
Ruling weighs distributions in violation of absolute priority rule
By Evan M. Jones, Daniel S. Shamah
A recent Supreme Court ruling has closed the door to distribution of entire estates in violation of the absolute priority rule.
Constitutional Law, Administrative/Regulatory
Modern surveillance is mass surveillance
By Jennifer Stisa Granick
Because modern surveillance is mass surveillance, Congress should pass laws that will preserve civil liberties.
U.S. Supreme Court, Education Law, Civil Rights
Disabled students' rights ruling stops short of true equality
By Kim Karelis
Until last week, the educational opportunities of minor students with disabilities have been hobbled by a decision the U.S. Su...
California Courts of Appeal
Ruling is a win for vulnerable nursing home patients
By Stephen Garcia, David M. Medby
A Court of Appeal held that in an action for violations of a patient's rights, a plaintiff may recover up to $500 per cause of...
Government, Administrative/Regulatory
Funding cut will deny Californians access to legal aid
By Maureen E. Keffer
The Trump administration's plan to eliminate federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation will hurt poor people and vuln...
Because they tend to come about hurriedly at the height of financial crises, statutes regulating the industry don't always mes...
U.S. Supreme Court, Intellectual Property
Decision will hurt patent defendants
By Ben M. Davidson
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the equitable defense of laches is not available as a defense to a damage claim in...
U.S. Supreme Court, Judges and Judiciary
Leaving things undecided
By Lawrence Rosenthal
Since the death of Justice Scalia, there has been much talk of the Supreme Court's efforts to issue narrow decisions to avoid ...
Justices probe patent venue
By Matthew K. Blackburn
On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in an important patent case that could upend the patent venue system.
Superior Court Commissioner Orange County (Santa Ana) ...
Learn about how a judge may maintain control of the courtroom in cases involving pro per defendants.
San Diego County Judge Cindy Davis wins praise for her handling of family law disputes.
While national attention is focused on the hearings examining Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, average folks are actually m...