News from March 2023
Sheppard Mullin Attorneys Named Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers
Partners Lisa Cottle and Joseph Karp were named to the 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers list.
Appeals panel says California Supreme Court is off limits to suit that claims bar exam illegally favors younger test takers
A California appellate court rejected a suburban San Jose lawyer's suit against the State Supreme Court, which claimed the lawyer failed his bar exams because the tests favor younger applicants, saying the Court is immune to such litigation.
Judge won't block California's ban on flavored tobacco
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A California federal judge has tossed tobacco companies' challenge to a state law that prohibits the sale of flavored products.
Where Have All the Workers Gone? – Tackling the Chronic Labor Shortage on March 21, 2023
In this webinar, Littler Shareholder Bruce Sarchet will discuss the scope of the current shortage of workers in the U.S., and review some of the more popular options for attracting and retaining talent.
Female ex-San Jose firefighter says city turned blind eye to six years of alleged sexual, racial harassment by coworkers
The lawsuit says the firefighter was constructively discharged from the San Jose Fire Department in 2021, but she did not report the true extent of her alleged mistreatment out of fear of retaliation by her superiors within the department
New ruling means employers don't 'automatically' need to pay when hit with class actions over meal break pay claims
An attorney who defends businesses againt lawsuits over wage claims says a new appeals court ruling is a significant win for employers, giving businesses new means of defending themselves against potentially big class action claims
Legal Momentum’s 18th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Dinner on March 23, 2023
Eileen Ridley, a partner and litigation lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to be honored at the Women of Achievement Awards Dinner hosted by Legal Momentum.
Stanford University under fire after Louisiana-based federal judge is shouted down during campus talk
The president of the Federalist Society chapter at Stanford University has urged school officials to do more to protect free expression on campus after a Louisiana-based federal appeals court judge was heckled and shouted down during a speech this month.
Agency to Implement Additional Enhancements to Strengthen Oversight, Improve Discipline System, and Prevent Conflicts of Interest
The State Bar of California Board of Trustees released two redacted reports on its past handling of complaints against disgraced and disbarred attorney Thomas V. Girardi.
Dismissed SF police union lobbyist firm says the SFPOA wrongly fired them, owe them money
Lucien Global says the San Francisco Police Officers Association fired them 6 months into a one-year deal, with the union citing "deteriorating conditions" for its member officers
Judge says California gator products ban violates federal law, in win for Louisiana industry
A federal judge has concluded a California law banning the sale of products made from alligators raised in other states, including Louisiana’s wetlands, violates the federal Endangered Species Act, leading Louisiana wildlife officials to claim a legal victory.
Inmate's premature lawsuit over San Quentin COVID outbreak no reason for dismissal, court rules
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - An inmate at San Quentin State Prison can proceed with a proposed class action over an outbreak of Covid-19 he blames on the state’s failure to quarantine prisoners who were transferred from another jail in May 2020, an appeals court ruled.
Attorney General Bonta, Multistate Coalition Push Back Against Ongoing Effort to End DACA
California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in an amicus brief pushing back against the ongoing, misguided effort led by Texas to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Federal court says San Francisco can force political committees to list their donors on the ads they produce
A federal appeals panel has ruled free speech is not imperiled by a San Francisco ordinance, which requires political ads list financial contributors
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Use Floodwater to Recharge and Store Groundwater
As storms bring rain and snow to California, Governor Newsom signed an executive order that makes it easier to capture floodwater to recharge groundwater – temporarily lifting regulations and setting clear conditions for diverting flood stage water without permits to boost groundwater recharge storage.
Appeals panel revives Prop 22, says California constitution doesn't block voter initiatives regarding gig workers
The First District Court of Appeals ruled the California constitution invests voters with the same powers to govern workers' comp as the state legislature, meaning voters can overrule lawmakers and classify app-based drivers for Uber, Doordash and similar companies as independent contractors
Judge gives preliminary OK to $9.5M settlement over Vizzy hard seltzers
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A San Francisco federal judge has no qualms with a proposed class action settlement in a lawsuit alleging the vitamin C claims on Vizzy hard seltzers mislead drinkers.
On National Slam the Scam Day, Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians Against Social Security-Related Scams
On National Slam the Scam Day, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning Californians to beware of social security-related scams and other government imposter scams.
Appeals panel agrees state law can't force Prop 65 warning onto generic drug labels
Proposition 65 dictate doesn't square with federal pharmaceutical label guidelines, a California appeals court ruled
Appeals panel says Twitter not a private enforcer of state 'misinformation' rules, even though user restricted at state's request
A federal court has ruled Twitter and the state of California did not collude to kick a user off Twitter, but rather the social media company's interest in limiting alleged "election misinformation" "aligns" with the state's