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Judicial Profile
Judge Roger Ito brings criminal court discipline to civil jury trials
From The Archive
MCLE
IRS Notice 2025-69: How the new deductions for tips and overtime work in 2025
The IRS issued Notice 2025‑69 to guide taxpayers on claim...
By Daniel ChungWhy litigation leaves everyone wrecked and the role of mediators after ABA Opinion 518
ABA Formal Opinion 518 reshapes but does not eliminate th...
By Leonid M. ZilbermanCalifornia enacts law to speed contractor payment disputes on private projects
SB 440 offers broader, more protective change order remed...
By Daniel F. McLennon
The Evening Docket
Five stories you should read before signing off.
San Francisco DA says judges fear public defender's challenges
Bonta orders civil rights probe into Eaton Fire response
America's abominable attorney general
Liability laundering and the 'not our driver' defense
Ballard Spahr opens San Francisco office with retail class action team
Today's News
Civil Litigation
Judge awards ex-Farella partner $178k in years-long fee dispute
By James Twomey
A San Francisco Superior Court judge ordered the International Swimming League, its owner and a law firm to pay more than $178,000 to a former attorney, conc...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility
San Francisco DA says judges fear public defender's challenges
By James Twomey
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins accuses the the San Francisco Public Defender's Office of abusing peremptory challenges to remove a Drug Court judge for ide...
Bankruptcy
Insurers seek jury trial in San Francisco archdiocese abuse coverage fight
By James Twomey
Two insurers asked a federal judge to remove their coverage dispute from bankruptcy court, arguing jurors must decide whether church leaders knew of historic...
Civil Litigation
Autodesk sues Google over 'Flow' name for AI video software
By James Twomey
Autodesk filed suit in federal court alleging Google infringed its FLOW trademark and caused market confusion by launching an AI video creation product under...
Bankruptcy
Franciscan Friars reach $20M settlement in abuse bankruptcy case
By James Twomey
The Franciscan Friars of California agreed to a $20 million Chapter 11 settlement establishing a trust for about 95 sexual abuse claimants, with payments fun...
Judges and Judiciary
City of LA asks 9th Circuit to remove judge from homeless case
By Daniel Schrager, Skyler Romero
The city also asked the circuit court to halt a contempt hearing the judge scheduled, arguing that he is exceeding his authority to interfere with elected of...
Columns
Fake AI, real lawsuits: The market's newest bubble meets the courthouse
By Leslie R. Stern, Michael Dark
AI hype boosted markets, but "AI washing" -- exaggerated or false claims about artificial intelligence -- is now triggering SE...
Justice for sale: How court backlogs favor deep-pocketed companies
By Daniel Y. Zohar
America's success has long depended on strong courts enforcing contracts, but crushing backlogs, overburdened judges and costl...
How to defend a legal malpractice lawsuit: Potential defenses and insider tips
By Shari L. Klevens, Alanna G. Clair
Legal malpractice suits are costly and stressful, but clear engagement letters, insurance, procedural checks, and defenses lik...
Verdicts & Settlements
| In re: Durable Power of Att... | $47,000,000 | |
| Auto v. Truck | John Doe v. Roe Driver | $30,305,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Lisa Lundsgaard, individual... | $9,900,000 |
| Malpractice | Jane Doe, a minor v. Roe Ho... | $8,000,000 |
| Excessive Force | Slade Douglas III v. City o... | $6,789,000 |
| Elder Abuse | Tommy O. Johnson, by and th... | $5,845,000 |
| Auto v. Auto | Daniel Chavez v. Simon Jiho... | $5,729,080 |
| Race Discrimination | Vernon Goodwin, Mary Mathis... | $5,700,000 |
| Auto v. Pedestrian | Lillian Barlie v. Rosemarie... | $5,175,000 |
| Excessive Force | Devonte Stephenson, et al. ... | $5,000,000 |
On the Move
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP
Mark Epstein joined Donahue Fitzgerald LLP as a partner in Oakland. The move was Feb. 3, 2026.
Details
Donahue Fitzgerald LLP has 50 attorneys in Oakland. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are business and corporate law, employment, intellectual property, real estate and construction, and tax. The firm’s website is https://donahue.com/
Featured Content
Where process, technology and human impact meet
Insights from experienced mediators on preparation, breaking impasses and guiding clients through multifaceted disputes
Complex mediation tactics from veteran mediators
Community News
Community News
Krishnan sworn in as U.S. magistrate judge for Northern District
By Ricardo Pineda
Ajay Krishnan joins the bench after a 20-year litigation career at Keker Van Nest & Peters, including 15 years as a partner.
Podcasts
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp Chair Yakub Hazzard joins In the Counsel's Chair to discuss some of the major cases he's tackl...
Daily Appellate Report
Constitutional Law
Amended Opinion: Northwest Association of Independent Schools v. Labrador
Idaho statute forbidding schools and libraries from making "harmful" content in the "context in which it is used" available to minors was unconstitutionally overbroad.
Bankruptcy
In re Richard Garcia
Trust that was highest bidder at nonjudicial foreclosure auction did not qualify as a prospective owner-occupant because the trustee at the time of the sale was not a natural person.
Civil Procedure
Cox v. Gritman Medical Center
Idaho physician on Idaho/Washington border was subject to personal jurisdiction in Washington by electronically transmitting prescriptions from Idaho to Washington, which required complia...
Criminal Law and Procedure
People v. Diaz
Trial court was not required to consider criminal defendant's youth during resentencing proceedings where it determined she was a direct aider and abettor who acted with intent to kill.