Charmaine Little News
Court selects lead plaintiff and lead counsel for multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Tesla CEO Elon Musk
A federal court ruled to consolidate cases involving Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who allegedly made false statements that he acquired enough money to take his company private.
Co-defendant not allowed to see Facebook's trade-secrets settlement with plaintiff
A company ordered to pay $30 million in damages following a jury trial over trade secrets will not receive access to Facebook’s settlement agreement with the same plaintiff, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, ruled on Nov. 26.
Law firm's contract with marketing company was illegal, court rules
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California gave mixed rulings over motions for summary judgments in a fraud case related to a law firm’s promotional campaign.
TBS, 'Conan' show fail to prove fraud in copyright case over Tom Brady joke told on air, court rules
A joke on the Conan late-night talk show ended up in court after a man sued the show for allegedly stealing one of his jokes; recently, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California granted his motion for summary judgement amid the show and network's fraud claims.
Appeals panel revives class action alleging nutrition supplement company misled consumers
SAN FRANCISCO – The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently determined a class action claiming a nutritional supplement company misled consumers shouldn’t be dismissed, reversing the decision of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
SEC gets summary judgment against man accused of securities fraud in appeals court
On October 11, the Securities and Exchange Commission was able to convince the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm its summary judgment already granted by a lower court.
Southern District court denies summary judgments for both parties in misappropriation suit
SAN DIEGO – On Oct. 11, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California denied both a group of plaintiffs and defendants’ motions for summary judgment in a case of misappropriation of likeness.
Court: Feather River Air Quality Management District entitled to anti-SLAPP motion in suit over dust emissions
SACRAMENTO – On Sept. 11, the 3rd Appellate District Court reversed a ruling from Yuba County Superior Court that denied a special motion to strike an anti-SLAPP statute.
Summary judgment denied in dispute alleging infringement regarding outdoor garden broom
SAN DIEGO – A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California recently denied motions for summary judgment in case alleging infringement of trade dress rights regarding an outdoor garden broom.
Apple loses bid to dismiss patent infringement suit involving iPhone camera technologies
SAN JOSE – A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently denied Apple’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit by camera technology developer Corephotonics accusing Apple of infringing on several of its patents for smartphone and mobile devices.
Third Appellate District Court rules in favor of insurance company in bodily injury case
AMADOR – On Sept. 25, the Court of Appeal for the 3rd Appellate District affirmed a lower court’s judgment in favor of an insurance company after a couple impacted by an accident were denied additional damages.
Appellate court rules agreement wasn't breached in dispute with North Valley Mall, Longs Drug Stores
SACRAMENTO – On Sept. 25, the 3rd Appellate District in the Court of Appeal of California in the affirmed a lower court’s decision in a triangular merger case.
Oyster Point Hotels' motion to dismiss denied in Graebel Commercial Services' breach of contract case
SAN FRANCISCO – A local hotel group’s attempt to dismiss a breach of contract claim against it was denied in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Oct. 5.
Court dismisses suit over woman's allegations that Carelick Hospice Services committed Medicare fraud
LOS ANGELES – A woman’s claims that a local hospice facility committed Medicare fraud fell short in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, as her case was dismissed Oct. 1.
Appeals court says law firm should get more than 10 percent in $18 million wrongful death settlement
LOS ANGELES – California's Second District Court of Appeal recently determined that a law firm is entitled to more than the 10 percent in attorney fees it was awarded by the Los Angeles County Superior Court after winning an $18 million settlement in a wrongful death case.
Judge denies motion to dismiss investor's suit alleging fraud regarding casino project
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently denied motions to dismiss an investment group's lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract regarding a Pinoleville Pomo Nation casino project.
Federal judge backs some of Volkswagen's claims in class action over 'clean diesel' feature
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently granted in part and denied in part a Volkswagen motion to dismiss a misrepresentation class action lawsuit.
Federal court resolves multi-million contract dispute between car auction company and consulting business
A vehicle auction company will receive more than $9 million after a contract dispute with three technology consulting companies.
Patterson Frozen Foods, others ordered to hold annual shareholders' meetings in suit over family member dispute
FRESNO – On Sept. 12, the Court of Appeal for the State of California in the 5th Appellate District reversed and remanded a court order that denied four siblings’ request to compel a family member to hold shareholders’ meetings.
Appellate court reverses ruling in suit against Fidelity National Title over fees
SAN JOSE – On Sept. 7, the Court of Appeal of the State of California, 6th Appellate District reversed a lower court's ruling in favor of a class action representative that claimed Fidelity National Title Co. unlawfully charged mailing fees.