John Breslin News
Lawyer foresees potential spread of talc suits beyond baby powder after $400 million verdict
LOS ANGELES — Plaintiff lawyers will be on a never-ending search for defendants that use talc in their products, with the targeting of a cosmestics company likely only the beginning, according to a leading business defense attorney.
California charter school centers set to close, but many expected to receive one-year waivers
Charter school resource centers may begin shuttering this week following a court ruling limiting where they can operate, but many will remain open for at least another year after receiving waivers from the state Board of Education.
Wage rule avoids innumerable lawsuits, 'absurdities,' Starbucks argues in Supreme Court filing
SAN FRANCISCO — A rule that employees do not have to be paid for the brief amount of time between clocking out and closing a store applies in California, Starbucks argues in a filing with the state Supreme Court.
Pom faces problems in trademark suit against competitor
LOS ANGELES — Pom Wonderful, the makers of pomegranate products, may encounter serious difficulties proving trademark infringement by a smaller competitor, according to one attorney in the field.
Lawsuit lives on after rejected Similasan settlement
SAN DIEGO – Pretrial motions are continuing in a class-action lawsuit against Similasan, a company that sells homeopathic products, after a federal court rejected a settlement that would have netted lawyers more than a half-million dollars.
Raisin Cain: Class action claims candy came up short
Lovers of chocolate-covered raisins might one day get some cash back for satisfying their sweet tooth. Californian Sandy Hafer recently filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit against Nestlé alleging that approximately 40 percent of a box of Raisinets she bought was nothing but air.
Concerns raised over increasingly sophisticated marketing by tort trial lawyers
Trial lawyers hoping to bag as many clients as possible when launching mass tort campaigns can attend conferences where they learn about the latest marketing and data mining techniques to be used to rack up the biggest numbers possible.
Tort-reform advocates, business leaders speak out on wage and hours case
SAN FRANCISCO — Tort-reform advocates and business leaders are speaking out on a
pending California Supreme Court review of a lawsuit that has potential serious implications for employers.
Building-industry association mulls appeal to Supreme Court on special district taxes
SAN FRANCISCO — A building-industry association has until March to decide whether to make a federal appeal against a California Supreme Court decision to deny its challenge to a city ordinance that, it is claimed, unconstitutionally penalizes developers.
Energy-drink maker soothes customers following convictions
SAN FRANCISCO — Following the high profile trial and conviction of two people on charges of distributing potentially dangerous counterfeits, the maker of a popular energy drink were moved to remind customers they were removed from shelves many years ago.
Supreme Court case review could have major implications for businesses
SAN FRANCISCO -- It is a lawsuit that has largely made its way through the court system under the radar, but it is one with potentially major implications for businesses, both large and small.
Judge tosses lawsuit accusing Twitter of failing to block ISIS propaganda
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit accusing Twitter of facilitating a terrorist who killed two United States contractors in Jordan last year.
Cap and trade in California now tangled in high stakes suit and political changes
The future of cap and trade in California faces uncertainty amidst an expected shortfall in auction income, the onset of a Trump presidency and a lawsuit that could dismantle the program all together.
10-year-old entrepreneur crowdfunds permit, equipment costs
A 10-year-old entrepreneur facing the shut down of her popular lemonade stand because of permit costs has crowdfunded enough to pay to go legitimate.
Federal appeals court upholds endangered seal species listing
SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court ruling regarding an endangered seal species will have an impact far from the Arctic Circle, environmentalists say.
Cybercrime center created; includes fast-response mobile lab
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – A new initiative designed to combat cyber crime in California includes retrofitting a mobile command vehicle as a digital forensics laboratory that can be dispatched to more traditional crime scenes.
Affordable housing legal dispute likely headed for U.S. Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO -- Legal disputes stemming from local governments forcing developers to set aside land for affordable housing, or else pay fines, are expected to persist until the U.S. Supreme Court settles the matter.
Longtime disability rights lawyer honored with Loren Miller service award
SAN FRANCISCO – Catherine Blakemore, who has spent her working life advocating and litigating for the rights of people with disabilities, has been recognized for her long-term commitment to the cause.
Center for Youth Development through Law legal fellowship program graduates nearly 40 students this year
BERKELEY – Close to 40 young people from low-income communities from the East Bay area this year graduated from an annual two-month legal fellowship program.
Bar set to ask Supreme Court for power to assess dues to fund operations
SAN FRANCISCO – The California legislature’s failure to pass a bill to assess fees to attorneys to fund the State Bar has led to a request to the state’s highest court for interim power to assess and collect dues.