Government, Criminal
Wildfires make for a busy final week for US attorney
By Jack Needham
In an interview Monday, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada reflected on his accomplishments.
Civil Litigation
Lawsuit accuses Southern California Edison of negligence in devastating Eaton Fire
By Skyler Romero
The blaze in the Altadena area has destroyed thousands of structures and caused widespread devastation.
Government, Civil Rights
Legal nonprofits to see new funds to fight Trump administration
By Malcolm Maclachlan
At least $15 million will be funneled through the State Bar and the California Access to Justice Commission to nonprofits figh...
Real Estate/Development, Land Use, Insurance
New regulations might make rebuilding difficult for those who lost homes in LA fires
By Wisdom Howell
Much has changed since neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades were developed, land use attorneys warned. Rebuilding will be diff...
Judges and Judiciary, Government
California courts maintain steady funding in Newsom's budget
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The courts will receive about $5 billion, roughly the same as in the 2024-25 budget finalized last summer.
Insurance
Lawmakers propose FAIR Plan fix as insurers brace for litigation over wildfire costs
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Attorneys say the approach in AB 226 might represent the best choice among a set of bad options.
Data Privacy
Judge: Pen register restrictions not isolated to telephonic surveillance
By Devon Belcher
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner declined Autotrader attorneys' argument that that a claim related to a restriction of the...
Intellectual Property
Texas' FBFK eyes middle market with Orange County expansion
By Douglas Saunders Sr.
The firm, which entered the market just last year, has already grown to a team of 15 lawyers and recently secured a new office...
Government, Constitutional Law, Civil Litigation
Judge denies San Francisco's motion to dismiss homeless advocates' lawsuit
By Craig Anderson
Last month, U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu dismissed most claims by the Coalition on Homelessness and several individual p...
Attorneys say neutral John Golper applies a kind, patient approach to dispute resolution.
Civil Litigation
Tenant sues co-living company over violent roommate linked to multiple murders
By Antoine Abou-Diwan
Common Living, which paired up roommates, filed for bankruptcy protection following the pandemic.
LA Fires, Insurance
LA wildfires ignite questions on insurance sustainability and legal battles over liability
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The blazes come after years of reform efforts meant to lessen fire damage and prop up the state's insurance markets.
Labor/Employment
Kanye West faces $2.4M default judgment for alleged labor and workplace claims
By Devon Belcher
U.S. District Judge Michelle Williams Court scheduled the hearing for Jan. 17.
Technology, Intellectual Property
K&L Gates expands IP practice in Orange County
By Douglas Saunders Sr.
Fei Shen's practice encompasses network infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, enterprise systems, and computer security.
Consumer Law, Business Law
Walmart faces class action over lead in cocoa mix
By Wisdom Howell
The complaint, filed Jan. 7 in federal court in San Francisco, claims that Walmart violates California's Unfair Competition La...
Antitrust & Trade Reg., 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Biden administration, Microsoft support Epic Games in Google Play antitrust appeal
By Craig Anderson
A 9th Circuit panel is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Google's appeal on Feb. 3.
Judges and Judiciary
Jimmy Carter diversified federal courts in single term, left lasting mark
By Craig Anderson
Carter, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 100 and will have funeral services on Thursday, never picked a U.S. Supreme Court justi...
Native Americans
Judge hesitates to order card rooms to preserve video in tribal gaming dispute
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The case, rooted in new legislation, now hinges on rapidly disappearing video footage.
Criminal
Sacramento DA sees drop in fentanyl deaths, praises Prop. 36 passage
By Malcolm Maclachlan
DA Thien Ho was an outspoken supporter of the voter initiative that made it easier to aggregate multiple thefts to reach the $...
As Los Angeles wildfires spread, insurance experts advise property owners and businesses to get ahead of claims by understandi...
Business Law
Best Buy accused of false advertising scheme over sale prices
By Wisdom Howell
The complaint accuses the retail giant of misleading consumers into believing they are getting a deal on sale items.
Technology
Native Americans sue social media giants over youth mental health crisis
By Devon Belcher
The White Mountain Apache Tribe claim Meta, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube exploit vulnerable Native American youth.
Retired Superior Court Judge Gloria White-Brown handled more than 300 jury and court trials and worked in the Mandatory Settle...
Real Estate/Development
Procopio increases Orange County land use practice with James Vaughn
By Douglas Saunders Sr.
Vaughn joined Procopio from Stowell, Zeilenga, Ruth, Vaughn & Treiger LLP, where he was a founding partner.
The three courthouses were all closed on Thursday due to wildfires in the surrounding areas.
While most courthouses remained open Wednesday, transportation issues and evacuation orders delayed some proceedings.
Land Use
Judge upholds demurrer in luxury hotel v. affordable housing case
By Skyler Romero
Los Angeles successfully demurred against claims that it unlawfully approved a luxury hotel project, leading to the demolition...
Data Privacy
Judge dismisses privacy claims against law firm in data breach case
By Antoine Abou-Diwan
A Los Angeles judge dismissed privacy invasion claims against Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP for a 2022 data breach, citing la...
Environmental & Energy
Cotchett Pitre at center of Exxon's lawsuit over plastic recycling
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The lawsuit against the state of California and several environmental groups does not name the law firm but says it is at the ...
Founding partner Daniel C. Girard announced he was stepping down from leadership at the consumer class action law firm.