Rich Peters News
CJAC CEO: Proposed Prop 65 amendments expose small businesses to 'increased risk of shakedown lawsuits'
SACRAMENTO – Pundits throughout the state and country are growing concerned for the future of business in California due to the current litigation climate and backlash from Proposition 65 and its potential modifications.
CJAC says allowing private lawyers acting on behalf of the state can do 'more harm than good'
SACRAMENTO – The U.S. Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform released a study last month that found laws that include private rights of action, which allow private attorneys to act on behalf of the state, are not effective.
'Shakedown lawsuits' drive up cost of business in state, CALA director says
SACRAMENTO – A recent CNBC state-to-state business report exposed the difficulties of doing business in the state of California. The annual poll ranks each state across the country in a number of major categories, including workforce, economy and structure and the Golden State finished among the worst.
Reason Foundation analyst 'not surprised' at state's drop in rank in latest CNBC state business poll
LOS ANGELES – The struggle of doing business in California was recently put on a national display in CNBC’s annual state-to-state business poll, which ranks each state in a number of business categories led by workforce, economy and structure.
CJAC president says California’s drop in the latest CNBC state business poll 'no surprise'
SACRAMENTO – Running a business in the Golden State has become even more difficult than usual over the past year, according to CNBC’s annual state-to-state business poll. The annual poll ranks each state in a number of major categories, including workforce, economy and structure.
States loses footing in CNBC business poll, CMTA spokesman says its 'difficult to compete' in state as manufacturer
SACRAMENTO – CNBC’s annual state-to-state business poll lists California as 32nd in the nation, down from last year's ranking of 25. The poll ranks each state in a number of major categories, including workforce, economy and structure.
EPA announces plan to stop false cancer labeling and provide accurate risk info on glyphosate-active products
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its plan to stop false labeling and provide accurate risk information to consumers regarding the chemical glyphosate, most commonly known as the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer.
NFIB attorney says state arbitration bill is in 'apparent disregard' of Supreme Court ruling
SACRAMENTO – Proposed California labor law Assembly Bill 51 has reached the assembly floor in the Golden State and could further divide big and small business.
Anti-arbitration proposal would expose business owners to criminal liability - and civil litigation
AB 51 is one of many proposed labor law bills that has reached the assembly floor in California, seemingly driving a wedge between big and small business.
Google to face California lawsuit of alleged hiring bias against conservatives and men
MOUNTAIN VIEW – A state judge has ruled that Google must face a lawsuit over allegations that the tech giant discriminates against conservative and male job applicants, an accusation that was first brought forth by former employee James Damore, the author of 2017’s controversial “Google memo.”
Monsanto files reply brief in Johnson case appeal; seeks Roundup verdict reversal
SAN FRANCISCO – Monsanto this week filed a combined reply brief and cross-respondent’s brief in the Dewayne Johnson cancer case against its Roundup weed killer in the Court of Appeal of the State of California, First Appellate District, Division One.
Attorney says judge's reduction of $2 billion Roundup verdict to $87 million still a 'big win'
OAKLAND – Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Smith reduced a landmark $2 billion jury verdict to $87 million in the case of Alva and Alberta Pilliod against the maker of Roundup earlier this month.
Attorney in verdict regarding Roundup says 'the only logical thing to avoid trial is to settle'
Attorney Brent Wisner of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman recently led his clients Alva and Alberta Pilliod to a historic $2 billion court victory over Monsanto regarding the weed killer Roundup.
Judge tentatively grants new trial in $2 billion Roundup cancer case
Judge Winifred Smith has tentatively granted Monsanto’s motion for a new trial in the $2 billion verdict cancer case of husband and wife Alva and Alberta Pilliod if all parties cannot come to terms on reduced damages at a Friday hearing.
NFIB vows to fight California bill defining independent contractors
SACRAMENTO – A Sacramento-based attorney with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) recently discussed some of the association's priorities for the upcoming legislative season in California.
Federal judge slashes Roundup award from $80 to $25 million; Bayer will still appeal verdict
A federal judge Monday significantly reduced the $80.27 million in damages awarded to a Bay Area man who claims that Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer caused his cancer.
NFIB attorney: Cost of defending suits like Roundup cases 'can sink a lot of businesses'
OAKLAND – Monsanto recently filed a post-trial motion asking an Alameda County Superior Court judge to reverse May’s $2 billion jury verdict involving the herbicide Roundup in just one of many high-profile liability cases taking place throughout the state of California.
Trend in public nuisance lawsuits in California is cause for concern, lawyer says
LOS ANGELES – As a new wave of "public nuisance" lawsuits hits the California legal system, some experts are concerned about the move toward expanding the boundaries of tort law in the Golden State.
In seeking to reverse $2 billion jury verdict, Monsanto says plaintiffs' counsel misconduct was 'egregious and rampant'
OAKLAND – Monsanto bolstered its argument that a jury trial resulting in a $2 billion verdict in May was tainted by misconduct in briefs filed Tuesday calling for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding verdict (JNOV).
Federal judge to reduce damages awarded in Roundup verdict
A Federal judge said that he would reduce the amount of punitive damages awarded to Edwin Hardeman in his case against Monsanto from earlier this year.