Sandra Lane News
Judge denies EPA's motion to dismiss suit over pesticide registration
SAN FRANCISCO – A judge has denied the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's motion to dismiss a complaint over allegations it violated duties regarding the registration of pesticides under a federal act.
Judge dismisses patent infringement claim in e-cigarette case
LOS ANGELES – A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California recently granted summary judgment in favor of defendants in a lawsuit alleging patent infringement concerning vaping products, popularly known as e-cigarettes.
Judge tosses fraud suit against Dolarian Capital after plaintiff misses deadline
FRESNO – On June 7, U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued an order granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss with prejudice a case after the plaintiff failed to obtain a legal representative within the required time period after the original counsel withdrew.
Federal judge partially grants Dutch company’s motion to dismiss claims
FRESNO, Calif -- Judge Dale A. Drozd of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on June 1, granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion to dismiss a case concerning infringement of patent rights for a drying machine used in making colorants and nutraceutical products.
Judge denies plaintiffs’ request for summary judgment in Bakersfield pipeline dispute
FRESNO – A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of California recently denied plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment on three issues in a case involving pipelines that interfered with the property owners’ development plans.
California agency's Prop 65 lead regulation upheld by appellate court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The California Court of Appeal,1st Appellate District, Division Two recently affirmed the ruling of a lower court in favor of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), regarding acceptable levels of lead in water as it relates to reproductive health.
Uber driver says he was told to create fake accounts to mess with Lyft drivers; Lawsuit will not go to arbitration
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California appellate court has affirmed a ruling of a lower court that in the case of Ryan Smythe v. Uber Technologies Inc., “the court correctly found that the action is beyond the scope of Smythe’s arbitration agreement with Uber.”
Lendingtree files to move former employee's discrimination lawsuit to federal court
SAN FRANCISCO – Lendingtree LLC, et al., defendants in a lawsuit filed by a former employee that alleges, among other things, sex discrimination, age discrimination and demotion and discharge in violation of public policy, recently served notice that they had taken proper actions to move the case from the Superior Court of California of San Mateo County to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division.
Transgender woman claims she was harassed by deputies while demonstrating at San Francisco City Hall
SAN FRANCISCO – Shawn Sunshine Strickland, a homeless, transgender woman who persisted in protesting on the steps of the San Francisco City Hall without first obtaining a permit, recently filed a petition in the U.S. District Court of Northern California claiming she was harassed by sheriff’s deputies, thereby threatening her civil rights and inflicting great emotional harm.
$5.6 million settlement approved in class action suit alleging unfair wages and working conditions
SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently granted a motion for final approval and certification of a settlement in a class action regarding worker wages and hours.
Motions for summary judgment denied in former Neiman Marcus employee's claim of ADA violations
SAN FRANCISCO – Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, denied motions for summary judgment made by the plaintiff and defendant in a complaint filed by former Neiman Marcus Group worker accusing the company of wrongful interference with his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Judge orders Center for Medical Progress to produce memoranda in Planned Parenthood case
SAN FRANCISCO – On May 31, Judge Donna M. Ryu of the U.S. District Court for Northern California declared that defendants in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood and affiliates would have to produce some of the information demanded by plaintiffs.
Judge denies Hidden Valley Lake Association's motion to avoid posting bond while appealing judgment
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. District Court of Northern California has denied a motion by a homeowners association to stay enforcement of a judgment without posting a supersedeas bond, or defendant's appeal bond.
Woman files suit against Virgin Air executive over sexual assault allegations
SAN FRANCISCO – While working in her capacity as vice president for Research Now, a global expert in online market research data, Jane Doe (a pseudonym) alleges she was sexually assaulted by Stuart Dinnis, a Virgin America executive.
United African-Asian Abilities Club files discrimination suit against apartment owners over website
SAN FRANCISCO – The United African-Asian Abilities Club in San Diego has filed a suit against some apartment owners claiming they have provided no accommodations for the handicapped based on website data.
California AG protests federal bill prohibiting state regulation of student loans
In an effort to prevent the passage of a bill that would shield student-loan collection companies from regulation by individual states, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined with 29 other attorneys general March 15 in sending a letter to selected members of Congress.
Appellate court reverses San Mateo court's ruling in frozen fish payment case
SAN FRANCISCO – The latest development in a five-year legal battle between a frozen fish supplier and the individuals associated with four Japanese restaurants occurred on March 23 when the 1st Appellate District of California, Division Four reversed the ruling of the San Mateo County Superior Court that upheld default judgments.