Government, Environmental & Energy
State’s treaty with Quebec doesn’t preempt US power, judge rules
By Gina Kim
A federal judge in Sacramento blocked the U.S. government's attempt to halt California's cap-and-trade deal with Quebec.
Criminal
FBI probes link between shootings of judge’s family and California lawyer
By Craig Anderson
San Bernardino Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jodi Miller said the FBI had taken over the investigation into attorney Marc E...
Environmental & Energy
Riverside warehouse project should be blocked, environmentalists say
By Justin Kloczko
The City of Moreno Valley, where the World Logistics Center is being built, says mitigation measures offset all pollution.
Labor/Employment
Cleaning ordinance fight pits hotels, unions on money issues
By Jessica Mach
Concerns about worker safety are also bound to concerns about money, as hotels and unions continue to grapple with losses brou...
Civil Litigation
Appeal court cuts jury award against Monsanto by nearly three-fourths
By Blaise Scemama
The award was cut from $78.5 million to $20.4 million, while the 1st District Court of Appeal otherwise upheld the judgment. T...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Criminal
OCDA report says ex-prosecutors engage in misconduct, harming death penalty case
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The report details a series of alleged prosecutorial missteps in the months after Scott Dekraai, a then-41-year-old former tug...
Government, California Supreme Court
Court postpones deadlines for redrawing legislative districts
By Craig Anderson
The Legislature filed a petition seeking the delay after the U.S. Census Bureau announced its results would be postponed due t...
Government, Corporate, Civil Rights
As pressure mounts to diversify boards, state legislation falters
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Technology giant Facebook Inc. and Oracle Corp. were hit with suits filed by shareholders on the same day in the U.S. Northern...
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced the appointment of Heather Aubry as a member of his executive team, effective A...
Criminal
OC public defender retires, supervisors search for permanent replacement
By Tyler Pialet
It’s unclear when a permanent replacement will be appointed, although the county’s Board of Supervisors created an ad hoc comm...
Labor/Employment, Civil Litigation, California Courts of Appeal
Appellate court blocks third party discovery in arbitration
By Craig Anderson
The decision may discourage “frivolous litigation ... or it may encourage more companies to go back into court, which would be...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Legal Education
Historic changes in State Bar exam leave few entirely happy
By Henrik Nilsson
“The court recognizes that postponement of the bar examination may impact employment prospects, delay incomes, and otherwise i...
Labor/Employment, Health Care, Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, Government
Lawyers want clarity on GOP efforts to limit virus liability
By Justin Kloczko
Plaintiffs' attorneys argue the raft of proposals give too much deference to businesses and health care providers, leaving wor...
Civil Litigation
$32.7M settlement reached in Ghost Ship fire litigation
By Winston Cho
The city attorney has maintained Oakland is not liable for the fire, and said in a statement that it settled because of legal ...
Civil Litigation
Lawyer says she saw exercising, laying down and other distractions during online voir dire
By Gina Kim
The plaintiff’s counsel said he saw only minor, inconsequential issues with remote voir dire and that all jurors were attentive.
Civil Litigation
USC refund dispute consolidated, interim class counsel appointed
By Gina Kim
Hagens Berman, Berger Montague appointed co-interim class counsel in consolidated tuition refund dispute against USC, with The...
Government
Lawsuit challenges ban on singing, chanting in worship services
By Blaise Scemama
The problem, they say, is the governor has banned indoor singing and chanting only in places of worship.
'Everything's clear' when Commissioner Traci Witry interacts with litigants, lawyers say.
Judges and Judiciary, Criminal
Witnesses must wear transparent masks, judge rules
By Tyler Pialet
The judge sad she was sympathetic to the defender’ argument that reading facial expressions is critical for assessing witness ...
Criminal, California Supreme Court
Limits on time, money impact virus mitigation, prisons say
By Winston Cho
U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar said he’s relieved the issue was a shortage of time rather than another complication with COVID-...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Legal Education
With an online bar exam, graduates worry about technical difficulties
By Henrik Nilsson
“We are prepared to issue an FAQ to help folks understand what the exam will be like, what those challenges are and what issue...
Labor/Employment, Government
New shutdown orders likely to hit service workers hardest
By Jessica Mach
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to shut down bars and dine-in services at restaurants may hit those employers and workers hard, espe...
Labor/Employment, Civil Litigation
State can’t pursue claim for gig drivers, motions say
By Jessica Mach
The Federal Arbitration Act prevents the government officials from pursuing the claim on behalf of Uber and Lyft drivers, mot...
Alternative Dispute Resolution
JAMS co-founder donates $1M to aid Pepperdine law school dispute resolution program
By Henrik Nilsson
The program will bring international students to Pepperdine for a certificate or master’s degree in dispute resolution. Prefer...
Civil Litigation, California Supreme Court
Sacramento judge told to resolve issue of virus in lockups
By Craig Anderson
California Chief Justice Tani G. Sakauye — writing for the majority — rejected the writ but directed Superior Court Judge Davi...
Judges and Judiciary
State trial courts scale back efforts to resume operations
By Justin Kloczko
Several presiding judges throughout the state have put of criminal trials until at least August.
Entertainment & Sports, Civil Litigation
Netflix negotiating strategy cleared path for comedienne Mo’Nique to sue, judge says
By Gina Kim
Judge Andre Birotte allows comedienne Mo'Nique's pay discrimination lawsuit to proceed.
Judges and Judiciary
Attorney helps pro per litigant win appeal of county court procedure
By Malcolm Maclachlan
The Sacramento County Court pro per coordinator had a level of discretion more appropriate to a judicial officer, the appellat...
Insurance
Michigan win for insurance company in business interruption case cited in California
By Blaise Scemama
San Diego partner Peter Klee of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, who defends insurance companies, said, "It was a ...
Judges and Judiciary
Orange County jurist to lead California Judges Association
By Arin Mikailian
Judge Thomas A. Delaney said he would continue efforts such as responding to unfair criticism of judges, ethics education for ...