Make the brief short, even though it takes a longer time to write. Use Ockham’s razor and cut, cut, and then cut some more. If...
Labor/Employment
LA independent contractors move closer to employee-type treatment
By Landon R. Schwob
The Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance went into effect a little over a month ago. Businesses should pay the Ordinance the...
It was now almost 4 a.m. the next morning! If we didn’t come to an agreement by 5 a.m. at the latest, no workers would appear ...
Culturally, annulment is an action to make right a societal wrong. A spouse may start it, the government, or any affected part...
Technology, Corporate, Administrative/Regulatory
Directors beware: How the SEC cybersecurity regulations are reshaping and re-risking corporate governance
By John D’Agostino, Jennifer Deutsch
Historically companies have underestimated the magnitude of cybersecurity risks. It’s not just ‘another risk variable’; it’s a...
From crime to climate change to COVID, the U.S. Supreme Court is rejecting the view that the public must defer to expert weigh...
Criminal, Civil Procedure
Bail denial shortcuts won't pass muster under Humphrey
By Alan Eisner, Robert Hill
Yedinak confirms that the Courts of Appeal should continue to enforce the Humphrey decision against trial courts.
Ethics/Professional Responsibility
How to keep a cool head if you get sued
By Shari L. Klevens, Alanna G. Clair
Legal malpractice lawsuits are among the most expensive types of litigation because a plaintiff is often required to prove the...
Constitutional Law
Would race based admissions in the name of religion pass constitutional muster?
By Karin Sweigart
"The time for making distinctions based on race had passed." Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of ...
Constitutional Law
San Jose state professor secures favorable settlement in battle for academic freedom
By David Hoffa
In an all-too-common sequence of events, Professor Elizabeth Weiss became the target of an activist campaign after she publish...
Any kind of correspondence from the IRS can provoke anxiety, so many Californians are understandably apprehensive and confused...
Data Privacy
Car cameras promise better road safety – and increasing legal risk for automakers
By Hayley MacMillen, Kai Galindo
Even when used to improve safety, in-car cameras risk running afoul of rights provided by California’s robust data privacy reg...
The Constitution was rotting away in a file at the State Department. When Warren Harding ordered that it be covered by a prote...
Torts/Personal Injury, Covid Court Ops, California Supreme Court
California Supreme Court Review: July 2023
By Ishika Desai
As COVID-19 infections appear to be on the rise this summer, California employers may, for now, breathe a sigh of relief that ...
Family, Entertainment & Sports
How the entertainment industry shapes our views of domestic violence
By Scott J. Nord
When we normalize domestic violence through songs, movies and other cultural events, we are slowly desensitizing ourselves to ...
A 2015 Barbie commercial for the doll boasts in all caps, "When a Girl Plays with Barbie, She Imagines Everything She Can Beco...
Government, Criminal, Civil Rights
Why the LA Public Defender's Office shouldn't downplay MALDEF's lawsuit
By Jennifer Judge, Michael Judge Jr.
The last time that MALDEF sued L.A. County was in 1988. Its victory over racial discrimination led to the election of Gloria ...
Take my appeal, please!
By James C. Martin, David J. de Jesus
The pragmatic legal standard espoused in cases like Muller flows from the idea that appellate courts should review and settle ...
Seven rules from Barbie for female litigators practicing in the real world
By M. Cris Armenta
The movie resonated with me, causing me to reflect on my career as a female trial lawyer in America. I have worked my entire c...
Rights offerings - another capital raising tool
By Sara L. Terheggen
Rights offerings is one of the most equitable forms of financing for a company that's looking to reduce the impact of dilution...
Adequate time simply doesn’t exist for our mental health court lawyers who are each juggling hundreds of cases. As a result th...
Not appealing from the correct document means that the Court of Appeal can (and probably will) dismiss the defective appeal. B...
Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADR legal issues haven't waned: Here are the most important decisions so far this year
By Paul Dubow
The FAA does not preempt state court procedure. Assuming that SB 365 becomes law, if a complaint is filed in state court and a...
Ethical rules are not just for lawyers and judges
By Laura W. Halgren
Exemplary conduct by court employees inspires public confidence and trust in the courts, and conveys the values of impartialit...
Law Practice, Ethics/Professional Responsibility
The shifting perception of bias: Unveiling explicit and implicit distinctions
By Mark B. Baer
While attempting to “ameliorate bias-based injustice” both in and out of the courtroom, bias has been redefined by limiting it...
May we approach the bench?
By David C. Casarrubias, Thomas Rivera
Why California’s presiding judges need to do more to elevate Latinx judges’ judicial assignments.
The object of this article and self-study test is to review major exceptions to the hearsay rule in California civil cases, se...
Land Use, Administrative/Regulatory
State AG is unconstitutionally stripping cities’ authority over zoning decisions
By Michael E. Gates
Rob Bonta, as a self-appointed policy advocate, seeks to have Housing Elements of cities quickly updated all over the State pr...
Judges and Judiciary
Jeremy Cortez manages LASC’s budgets, revenue and facilities – a job that’s nothing short of an E-ticket ride
By Lawrence P. Riff
As Chief Deputy for the Court, not only am I the lead financial executive over budget, expenditure, revenue/treasury collectio...
Administrative/Regulatory
New “pay to play” statute is a groundbreaking change in local ethics law
By Derek P. Cole
In precluding the participation of officials who receive more than $250 in campaign contributions from parties or participants...