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Judicial Profile
Judge Roger Ito brings criminal court discipline to civil jury trials
MCLE
Why 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. McLennonJudicial diversion fundamentals
Judicial diversion lets courts pause misdemeanor cases, s...
By Michelle M. Ahnn, Holly L. Hancock-Goode
Today's News
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...
Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation
Ghostface mask sparks dueling copyright suits ahead of 'Scream 7'
By Skyler Romero
A special effects studio sued Paramount and Spyglass, alleging the Ghostface mask infringes its original design, while the studios countered with a lawsuit a...
Civil Litigation, Antitrust & Trade Reg.
Summary judgment weighed in Microworks dispute over shrinkable film
By Skyler Romero
A Los Angeles judge heard arguments on patent infringement, recyclability and inequitable conduct claims between Microworks America Inc. and Far Eastern New ...
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...
Civil Litigation, Antitrust & Trade Reg.
Summary judgment weighed in Microworks dispute over shrinkable film
By Skyler Romero
A Los Angeles judge heard arguments on patent infringement, recyclability and inequitable conduct claims between Microworks America Inc. and Far Eastern New ...
Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation
Ghostface mask sparks dueling copyright suits ahead of 'Scream 7'
By Skyler Romero
A special effects studio sued Paramount and Spyglass, alleging the Ghostface mask infringes its original design, while the studios countered with a lawsuit a...
Columns
For immigrant families, divorce is not just the end of a marriage but a confrontation between two systems of value--where atto...
Genetic causation and mesothelioma: The emerging role of BAP1 in asbestos and talc litigation
By Karen M. Johnson
As genomic testing becomes more accessible, defense counsel in mesothelioma cases are increasingly leveraging BAP1 and other g...
Losing a big case: How to recover, regroup and recharge
By Wendy L. Patrick
Because trial work brings both victory and loss, lawyers are wise to anticipate the emotional toll of an unfavorable verdict a...
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
Education, Contracts
Grant v. Chapman Univ.
Students' general expectations that classes would be largely in-person did not furnish a basis for contract claims against university that had ceased in-person instruction during COVID-19.
Family Law
Marriage of Allen
Even after the child reaches the age of majority, parents may not contractually waive accrued child support arrearages.
Anti-SLAPP, Immunity
Semaan v. Mosier
Court-appointed received was protected by quasi-judicial immunity for the receiver's discretionary acts and decisions, so plaintiffs could not demonstrate minimal merit needed for claims ...
Evidence
Esparza v. Superior Court (People)
Under Evidence Code section 701, trial courts may not presume a witness is incompetent to testify based solely on a prior Lanterman-Petris-Short Act grave-disability finding.
Consumer Law
Bartholomew v. Parking Concepts, Inc.
Collection and use of license plate information without publishing statutorily required privacy policy regarding such collection and use constituted harm sufficient to sue under the statute.