Hot Topics
PAGA lawsuits vs employers keep rising in CA, helping to fuel big class action payouts nationwide
A new report from defense law firm Duane Morris said class action settlements again totaled more than $40B in 2024, with attorneys raking in many of those billions for themselves in fees. In California, much of the action was driven by thousands of "representative" lawsuits vs employers under the PAGA law
Lawsuits
Palisades, Eaton wildfires spawning lawsuits vs LADWP, SoCal Edison; Many more expected
Hot Topics
Federal appeals court won't revisit decision upholding CA 'sensitive place' gun carry ban
Dissenting judges warned the decision rested on strained legal reasoning, likely in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court's holdings on Second Amendment rights and could tee up review and the risk of a loss before the Supreme Court
From Southern California Record
Huntington Beach asks courts to end California 'Sanctuary State' law, let cops deal with criminal illegal immigrants
The lawsuit asserts California's so-called "Sanctuary State" law has not only harmed California residents and their communities, but has placed the city in the position of having to choose between obeying state or federal laws. The lawsuit asserts the state law violates the U.S. Constitution's federal supremacy clause
Gov. Gavin Newsom's big anti-homelessness initiative has not been a success, as California's homelessness crisis deepens
Gaming company files pretrial motion to restrict mentions of its China ties during trial against Google
Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite and several other renowned online games, has initiated legal action against tech behemoth Google, alleging that the latter is unjustly monopolizing Android app distribution. The gaming company's lawsuit comes with a pretrial motion to limit mentions of Epic's second largest shareholder being based in China during the trial scheduled for Nov. 6 start, said Epic Games.
The State Bar of California's Board of Trustees has initiated a new phase governance
The State Bar of California's Board of Trustees recently announced significant changes and decisions during its latest meeting. Brandon Stallings has been appointed as the new Board Chair, with José Cisneros assuming the role of Vice Chair and Mary Huser joining as a new Trustee. Stallings emphasized the organization's commitment to transparency and accountability.
State Court
Plaintiffs Allege Rideshare Giant Negligence Led to Sexual Assaults
Two women have filed a lawsuit against ridesharing giant Lyft in San Francisco's Superior Court alleging negligence led to their sexual assaults by drivers using the platform.
State Court
Plaintiff Alleges Negligence Against Driver Following Serious Collision
In a legal battle stemming from a severe car crash on US-101 in San Francisco County last year, Mehmet Akyuz has filed a lawsuit against Christian Gonzalez and others alleging negligence leading to personal injury and financial loss.
State Court
Plaintiff Alleges Negligence Against Property Owner Over Dog Attack
Sergio Hernandez Valencia has filed a lawsuit against Daniel Stephen Pare following a dog attack on May 29, 2024.
State Court
Parents Allege Medical Negligence Against University Hospital in Child's Death
A family is suing The Regents of the University of California along with associated medical staff for alleged negligence leading to their child's tragic death after birth complications were mishandled.
State Court
Plaintiff Alleges Former Employer City Violated Religious Rights Over Vaccine Mandate
Dolores Meehan has taken legal action against her former employer, alleging violations related to religious accommodation regarding Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
State Court
International Swimming League Accuses Former Legal Counsel Farella Braun + Martel LLP of Professional Negligence
The International Swimming League Ltd., along with its founder Konstantin Grigorishin, has initiated legal proceedings against their former attorneys at Farella Braun + Martel LLP for alleged professional negligence and breach of fiduciary duty...
State Court
Lyft accused of Negligence Amid Sexual Assault Allegations by Passenger
Jane Doe NLG 72 (A.G.) has filed a lawsuit against Lyft in the Superior Court of California alleging negligence in protecting passengers from sexual assaults by its drivers.
State Court
Plaintiff alleges former employer YAS Restaurant violated labor laws
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against YAS Restaurant in San Jose for wrongful termination and multiple labor law violations including unpaid wages and sexual harassment by its owner Farahood Oregani.
State Court
Movement Holdings accused of wage theft by former employee
Ryan Bettencourt has filed a class action lawsuit against Movement Holdings alleging wage theft and other labor violations in California.
Attorney General Bonta Urges Biden Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Immigrants from Certain Countries with Dangerous Conditions
Palisades, Eaton wildfires spawning lawsuits vs LADWP, SoCal Edison; Many more expected
Investigations could take months or years, but trial lawyers have rushed into court on behalf of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton wildfire victims. The suits accused LA Dept of Water & Power of failing to provide enough water and accused Southern California Edison of causing the blazes. Many more lawsuits are expected to be filed
49ers can't be sued for death of man punched twice in Levi's Stadium lot
A state appeals panel said the family of a man who died, allegedly from brain injuries suffered when he was suddenly punched twice in the face by another man reacting to a beer bottle kicked against his car, can't sue the 49ers and their event staffing vendor for not doing enough to prevent the 2018 attack
Google can't shut down users' privacy class action over WAA settings, info tracking
The lawsuit accused Google of continuing to collect user information and track their interactions with apps and other features on mobile devices, even after the users allegedly believed they had turned off the ability for Google to do so. A judge said the evidence isn't clear that Google abided by the law and its user agreement
Walgreens flushes consumer fraud lawsuit over UTI pain drug
Medicinal use of PhenAzo predates 1938 federal drug licensing law
Judge nixes $5.1M deal to end visual impairment website discrimination class action vs Fashion Nova
A San Francisco federal judge said he could not approve the deal to end the action vs women's clothing seller Fashion Nova because the retailer might get too much of its money back at the end of the deal. Attorneys would have gotten $1.24 million under the deal
PAGA lawsuits vs employers keep rising in CA, helping to fuel big class action payouts nationwide
A new report from defense law firm Duane Morris said class action settlements again totaled more than $40B in 2024, with attorneys raking in many of those billions for themselves in fees. In California, much of the action was driven by thousands of "representative" lawsuits vs employers under the PAGA law
Federal appeals court won't revisit decision upholding CA 'sensitive place' gun carry ban
Dissenting judges warned the decision rested on strained legal reasoning, likely in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court's holdings on Second Amendment rights and could tee up review and the risk of a loss before the Supreme Court
Judge says BART can't escape $7.8M jury verdict for workers fired over Covid jab mandate
A San Francisco federal judge said BART can't show the jury was unreasonable in awarding at least $1.1 million each to six workers who were fired when BART refused their requests for religious exemption from the agency's Covid vaccine mandate
Exxon: CA A/G Bonta, enviro activists conspired with foreign 'green energy' interests in plastic recycling suits
ExxonMobil has sued California Attorney General Rob Bonta and environmental activist organizations, accusing them of working with an anti-oil Australian billionaire to launch a coordinated "lawfare" campaign against ExxonMobil, including recent lawsuits over Exxon's 'advanced recycling' programs
Judge blocks CA teen 'social media addiction' law for 30 days
A federal judge mostly declined to issue an injunction preventing California and Attorney General Rob Bonta from enforcing SB976, a law that the social media companies say is designed to establish a state-led censorship program to restrict online speech in the name of protecting children. But the judge followed that with a ruling blocking the state from enforcing the law until Feb. 1 to let an appeals court weigh in
American Tort Reform Association president: ‘significant campaign contributions’ from California attorneys ‘raise concerns about the potential influence on legislative and judicial decisions’
Sherman "Tiger" Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), expressed concerns about a new report that analyzes California trial attorneys' campaign contributions. The report suggests these contributions may have potential influence on legislative and judicial decisions. Joyce voiced his concerns in a press release dated March 19.
Price becomes latest 'progressive prosecutor' tossed from office amid anti-crime outcry
Voters appeared to deliver big wins to the efforts to recall both Alameda County D.A. Pamela Price and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, following on successful efforts elsewhere to oust other progressive leaders whose policies have been blamed for spike in crime
Business groups express relief as Newsom signs PAGA reforms into law
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed newly passed legislation that aims to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which business groups have long criticized as a vehicle for rampant lawsuit abuse that offers little in the way of worker protections.
California extends 'take-home' asbestos liability to case of brother who lived elsewhere
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California Supreme Court decision limiting “take-home” asbestos liability to people who live in the same house doesn’t preclude a man from suing over claims he was exposed to asbestos when visiting at his brother’s house.
Closing arguments heard in man’s lawsuit over toxic baby powder; Verdict delayed
In a Northern California trial to decide if Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused a man's mesothelioma a jury verdict in the six-week-long case has been delayed
Plaintiff Alleges Negligence Against Driver Following Serious Collision
In a legal battle stemming from a severe car crash on US-101 in San Francisco County last year, Mehmet Akyuz has filed a lawsuit against Christian Gonzalez and others alleging negligence leading to personal injury and financial loss.
Ex-law firm CFO, ex-president of LGBTQ chamber of commerce pleads guilty to embezzling $1.3M
Tony Archuleta-Perkins who served as chief financial officer at The Veen Firm and served as president of the Golden Gate Business Association pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering, according to federal prosecutors, who said he admitted to stealing at least $1.3 million from law firms for which he worked from 2018-2023
TPA president: Mass torts ‘extract money from general economy’
David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), said that mass tort litigation diverts capital from the economy, adversely affecting businesses and taxpayers.
Claremont attorney faces suspension, probation following overturned embezzlement, grand theft conviction
SAN FRANCISCO – Longtime Claremont attorney Louis Julian White faces suspension and probation following an Aug. 8 California Supreme Court order and his overturned conviction last year on embezzlement and grand theft charges, according to a recent State Bar of California announcement and court documents.