Karen Kidd News
Humboldt County court 'amply justified' in declaring plantiff a vexatious litigant, appeals court rules
SAN FRANCISCO – A state appeals court affirmed a Humboldt County court's decision to order a man seeking to overturn the divorce between him and his late wife to be a vexatious litigant, according to a state appeals court ruling issued earlier this month.
Madera man amends whistle-blower case against Roadrunner Intermodal Services
SACRAMENTO – A Madera man has amended his whistle-blower lawsuit against his former employer, Roadrunner Intermodal Services, who he claims cheated him out of millions of dollars, libeled him and fired him after he turned up evidence of fraud.
Federal judge dismisses ERISA amended complaint over denial of COBRA benefits
SAN FRANCISCO – The amended complaint of two plaintiffs against their former insurance provider in California under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) has been dismissed by a federal judge.
Infringement case against 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' company continues following federal judge's order
SAN FRANCISCO – A copyright and infringement lawsuit by the patent holder of MOVA Contour Reality Capture Program against the company that issued the "Rise of the Tomb Raider" video game remains alive following a judge's order issued earlier this month.
Los Angeles man settles claims against Massage Envy
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles County man's putative lawsuit against a Marina Del Rey spa for deducting a higher amount from his bank account than he agreed to has been dismissed following an announced settlement in the case.
Federal judge declines to dismiss Facebook photo tagging class-action
A class-action lawsuit that challenges Facebook's use of facial recognition and biometric data-collection software to identify people in user-uploaded photos is moving ahead following a recent order handed down by a federal judge in California.
South San Francisco not entitled to help from Pacifica in firefighter's cancer settlement, appeals court says
South San Francisco is not entitled to help from Pacifica to pay a settlement for the cancer of a firefighter who worked for both cities, according to a recent appeals court decision.
Hantavirus case formally dismissed after 2017 settlement
SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) A California woman's lawsuit against Yosemite National Park and others, following her diagnosis with hantavirus cardiopulonary syndrome in 2012, has been formally dismissed by a federal judge after the parties reach a settlement in spring 2017.
Appeals court rules FCC regulatory order 'does not rob' FTC authority to pursue case against AT&T
SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) — A federal appeals court recently uphelp the Federal Trade Commission's regulatory authority over large Internet service providers and allowed the commission to move ahead in its case against AT&T for allegedly throttling the data speeds of millions of unlimited data plan customers.
Ninth Circuit gearing up to rehear San Francisco soda warning label case
SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) — A federal appeals court is preparing to give San Francisco another shot at enforcing its ordinance requiring large warning labels in sugary drink advertisements. The ordinance is opposed by beverage retailers who allege it violates their First Amendment rights to free speech.
L.A. attorney convicted of manslaughter faces suspension, probation
SAN FRANCISCO -- Los Angeles attorney Spencer Freeman Smith faces suspension and probation following a State Bar of California recommendation after he was found culpable of failing to obey the terms of his interim suspension handed down following his 2015 manslaughter conviction.
Appeals court reverses $55 million Alameda County jury award, citing trial court errors
A $55 million Alameda County jury award in favor of a Pennsylvania-based company against its insurers in 2016 has been reversed in a recent appeals court ruling that states the trial court committed too many errors for the verdict to stand.
Los Angeles attorney faces disbarment following probation violations
SAN FRANCISCO — Los Angeles attorney Raaqim A. S. Knight, suspended in 2016 after he disappeared and abandoned his clients amid "marital and financial difficulties," faces disbarment over probation violations, according to a recent State Bar of California recommendation.
Manhattan Beach attorney faces disbarment following allegations he tried to defraud creditors
SAN FRANCISCO — Manhattan Beach attorney Drago Charles Baric faces disbarment following a State Bar of California recommendation after he was found culpable in three counts of misconduct in a personal bankruptcy proceeding.
Torrance attorney faces disbarment after allegedly telling client to trust him with $18,000
SAN FRANCISCO — Torrance attorney David Paul Hutchens faces disbarment by default following a State Bar of California recommendation after he was charged with seven counts of misconduct in a single client matter.
State bar recommended suspension of Chatsworth attorney be lifted
SAN FRANCISCO — Chatsworth attorney Bradley Howard Spear may soon be relieved of a 2015 suspension handed down over issues caused by excessive drinking of alcohol, according to a recent State Bar of California recommendation.
Atascadero attorney faces suspension, found culpable in 4 counts of misconduct
SAN FRANCISCO — Atascadero attorney Frederick James Wood faces a minimum 60-day suspension and a requirement he pay thousands in restitution following a State Bar of California recommendation after he was found culpable of misconduct in a single client matter.
Probation recommended for Los Angeles attorney who missed filing deadline
Los Angeles attorney Lisa Michelle Bassis, practicing in California for more than 38 years, faces a stayed suspension of one year and two years' probation after she failed to file a timely petition in federal court on behalf of a convicted child molester, according to a recent State Bar of California recommendation.
Probation recommended for Los Altos attorney who admitted misconduct in Colorado
Los Altos attorney Steven James Foster faces stayed suspension and probation after he admitted to misconduct in Colorado and was censured in that state, according to a recent State Bar of California recommendation.
Francesca's Collections scores partial win in former manager's overtime complaint
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge has dismissed part of a former Francesca's Collections store manager's complaint that she is still owed for unpaid overtime accrued during almost four years of working for the retailer.