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Judicial Profile
Judge Julia Alloggiamento rebuilds public trust through education
ADR Profile
Retired Alameda judge Stephen Pulido brings family law focus to private ADR work
MCLE
Judicial diversion fundamentals
Judicial diversion lets courts pause misdemeanor cases, s...
By Michelle M. Ahnn, Holly L. Hancock-GoodeYou can't cross examine a machine
Proposed federal evidence rule would require AI-Generated...
By Anita Taff-RiceNew law aims to combat pervasive spoliation of evidence in elder abuse cases
After years of attempts, California has amended the Elder...
By Zachary N. Zaharoff
Today's News
Consumer Law
Giants sued over alleged drip pricing of online ticket sales
By James Twomey
A proposed federal class action claims the San Francisco Giants misled fans by advertising low ticket prices online and adding mandatory fees at checkout, a ...
Insurance
Insurers warn FAIR Plan is no longer California's last resort
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Insurance industry representatives told California lawmakers that the FAIR Plan is becoming the default option for too many homeowners, warning that low rate...
Judge with sharp wit, novelty ties, helped create drug court
Civil Litigation
Wine-tasting discovery fight centers on alleged exam leaks and sexual misconduct
By James Twomey
A federal judge ordered the Court of Master Sommeliers-Americas to produce internal investigative records in a lawsuit by former students alleging a rigged 2...
California Supreme Court
Chief justice says ICE activity, Racial Justice Act backlog and bar exam woes top court concerns
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero said federal immigration authorities have appeared at at least 17 California courthouses in the past year, prompting courts t...
Civil Litigation
Attorney granted leave to clarify complaint over $200K loan between former partners
By James Twomey
The case centers on whether a $200,000 loan was part of a True Up calculation or a separate obligation due at the sale of the firm in 2023.
Columns
Patagonia v. Pattie Gonia: Why the outdoor brand is suing a drag queen for trademark infringement
By Pejman Javaheri
Patagonia's lawsuit against drag queen Pattie Gonia raises a familiar trademark question--but in a context where advocacy, per...
My way: Why I write to the court with emotional intelligence
By Baruch C. Cohen
Every brief I file carries a choice: to sound correct, or to speak truth.
Protecting your evidence in court from digital manipulation and deepfakes
By Paul Goyette
Video used to speak for itself in court. Now, thanks to AI and digital manipulation, officers and their attorneys must be read...
Verdicts & Settlements
| Breach of Contract | Pilot Thomas Logistics LLC ... | $55,000,000 |
| Retaliation | Nancy Valla v. Dignity Heal... | $27,500,000 |
| Malpractice | Phuong Ho, Trinh Nguyen v. ... | $18,056,888 |
| Battery | Joseph Garza, individually,... | $11,000,000 |
| Discrimination | Ross Byer v. City of La Palma | $8,400,000 |
| Negligence | Tisha Hilario, individually... | $4,000,000 |
| Failure to Pay | Alex Charalambous and Brian... | $3,125,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Lary Martin James, individu... | $2,500,000 |
| Wage and Hour | Luis Manuel Villalpando, By... | $2,500,000 |
| Overtime/Regular Rate | Sandra Summers and Dariia F... | $2,345,000 |
On the Move
Spaulding McCullough & Tansil LLP
Thomas Del Monte was promoted to partner in Santa Rosa. The promotion was effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Details
Spaulding McCullough & Tansil LLP has 15 attorneys in 2 offices including 2. Among the law firm’s key practice areas are Business, Employment, Intellectual Property, Litigation, & Trusts and Estates. The firm’s website is www.smlaw.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
Davis Wright Tremaine's Vid Prabhakaran joins In the Counsel's Chair to break down three of the biggest challenges facing the ...
Daily Appellate Report
Criminal Law and Procedure
Modification: People v. Aguilar
Trial court's failure to investigate potential juror's confusion invalidated peremptory challenge to strike that juror when there was a possibility that challenge was race-related.
Constitutional Law
Knife Rights, Inc. v. Bonta
California's ban on the concealed carry of switchblades does not violate the Second Amendment.
Government
Kalbers v. Volkswagen AG
Documents provided to the grand jury investigating Volkswagen's emissions test evasion software were exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
Maritime Law
Fiedler v. U.S.
Discretionary function exception applied to Coast Guard ship inspection that allegedly overlooked fire hazards.
Tax
Disney Platform Distribution, Inc. v. City of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara's 5.75% tax on charges for video services did not violate the Internet Tax Freedom Act.