Lawyers say shareholder activism increased in 2012, with large companies facing activity once more common with their smaller c...
Even if you're a lawyer who relishes litigation, you probably do not want to fight with the Internal Revenue Service about you...
Recently, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals closed the door on the possibility that a CERCLA claimant can pursue both a co...
First Amendment considerations should have stopped the FTC's investigation at the outset. That freedom of speech is never ment...
The common wisdom on trial advocacy includes this pearl: Keep in mind how juries usually take in information in their lives, a...
Labor/Employment
Union picketing case may not be the 'win' labor thinks it is
By Ben Armisteadn
Even if left undisturbed by the U.S. Supreme Court, on close examination the state Supreme Court's opinion may not be the unqu...
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Sideman & Bancroft cannot shield ex-client's financial records from IRS criminal probe
By John Roemer
A San Francisco law firm cannot shield the financial records of a client from an IRS criminal investigation, a 9th U.S. Circui...
Mergers & Acquisitions
Fenwick & West helps ThisLife in quick sale to Shutterfly
By David Ruiz
Fenwick & West LLP represented ThisLife.com Inc. in a sale to Shutterly Inc. that took just 10 days to complete. ...
U.S. Supreme Court
LA did not violate Clean Water Act, Supreme Court rules
By Fiona Smith
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday that Los Angeles County officials did not violate the Clean Water Act when th...
California Supreme Court
State Supreme Court appears ready to limit felony murder rule
By Jill Pattonn
In oral argument, the justices appeared ready to clarify that a felonious act definitively ends when the perpetuator has reach...
Litigation
After winning a ruling, city of Oakland prepares for pot showdown with federal government
By Hadley Robinson
The next showdown between the city of Oakland and the federal government over medical marijuana dispensaries will take place l...
Law Practice
Firms spar over who can represent employee class in Howrey estate litigation
By Kevin Lee
Two law firms traded briefs late last week over which is more qualified to represent a class of employees seeking to sue the H...
Government
New president hopes to make Orange County Bar Association a sanctuary for lawyers
By Don Debenedictisn
As incoming president of the Orange County Bar Association, Wayne R. Gross is finding new benefits for members from his person...
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Buckley last week dismissed a class action by plaintiffs who claimed a denta...
Real Estate/Development
Cities line up to sue state over redevelopment projects
By Katie Lucia
California is facing a barrage of lawsuits in the wake of last year's dissoluton of redevelopment agencies, with the most rece...
Gov. Jerry Brown struck a defiant tone Tuesday, announcing it was time to lift a federal court-ordered cap on the number of i...
Despite uncertainty in the market, California's corporate lawyers enabled some memorable deal activity in 2012.
A federal magistrate judge in San Francisco denied landlords' bid to evict marijuana clinics in Oakland and San Jose while law...
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced new state Senate committee assignments Monday, including to the Judiciary...
The founder and former chair of the international arbitration practice for O'Melveny & Myers LLP has jumped to the San Fra...
Former Tesla Motors Inc. General Counsel Eric S. Whitaker has moved on to his next high-profile legal gig in Silicon Valley. ...
U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson sentenced Aaron Sandusky, the one-time co-owner of G3 Holistics Inc., after a jury co...
A Monday ruling will allow warehouse workers to test in court their theory that Wal-Mart serves as a "joint-employer" with the...
Intellectual Property
Microsoft moves to take advantage of Google's FTC concession on patents
By Rachel Swan
Attorneys for Microsoft Corp. are moving to take advantage of a concession Google Inc. made in its Federal Trade Commission se...
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Lack of resources is a defense in inmate medical care case, 9th Circuit rules
By John Roemer
In a decision that could undercut federal courts' oversight of California inmate health care, a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appe...
Litigation
Governor challenges prison population order, arguing independence
By Hamed Aleazizn
Gov. Jerry Brown struck a defiant tone Tuesday in the face of a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals order, arguing it's time to ...
California Supreme Court
Adviser to chief justices discusses 33 years on the court
By Emily Green
Beth Jay served as principal attorney to three Republican state Supreme Court chief justices. In December, after 33 years, she...
Perspective
Finally, cliff deal provides some finality in estate planning
By Ben Armisteadn
On Jan. 1, Congress enacted the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 to avoid going over the "fiscal cliff." The act also ende...
California Supreme Court
Clarity comes to primary assumption of risk doctrine
By Ben Armisteadn
The state Supreme Court closed out 2012 with a notable decision that resolved a long-standing uncertainty in the state's "prim...