Less than .1: PM Edition, October 20

This evening on Less than 1, brought to you by AMBA: A divided 2nd District panel upholds a reduced sentence over a dissent warning of judge shopping. SCOTUS declines to hear the challenge to UC Hastings' name change, ending a nine-year fight. And Meta and Snap seek tighter injury and causation standards in the next social media addiction trial. Also: Alina Habba's $50 million deal with the family of a billionaire later pardoned by Trump, and prosecutors allege a former OpenAI engineer accused of planting a recording device had Saudi backing.

Stories mentioned in this episode:

Dissent warns appellate ruling opens door to judge shopping
https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/395451-dissent-warns-appellate-ruling-opens-door-to-judge-shopping

Supreme Court ends fight over UC Hastings name change
https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/395453-supreme-court-ends-fight-over-uc-hastings-name-change

Meta, Snap seek tighter injury standards in next social media trial
https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/395465-meta-snap-seek-tighter-injury-standards-in-next-social-media-trial

(The New York Times) A billionaire wanted a Trump pardon. His family gave Alina Habba a $50 million deal.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/20/us/politics/julio-herrera-pardon-alina-habba.html

(Reuters) Ex-OpenAI employee accused of planting device appears to have Saudi backing, US prosecutors say
https://www.reuters.com/technology/ex-openai-employee-accused-planting-device-appears-have-saudi-backing-court-2026-10-19/