Rich Peters News
CJAC president: Arbitration study 'another attempt by plaintiffs’ lawyers to further their own agenda'
SACRAMENTO – With Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signing controversial labor law Assembly Bill 51 into effect, the future of business in California is uncertain. While a number of experts have adamantly opposed the bill, predicting that it will be nixed due to a violation of federal law, a new study conducted by the American Association for Justice has emerged that statistically supports the bill.
Sacramento attorney says he would be shocked if new anti-arbitration law is not overturned in federal court
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed labor law Assembly Bill 51 into effect, which could further complicate the legal climate for businesses operating in California.
CalChamber files lawsuit against attorney general over Proposition 65 warnings for acrylamide on food
SACRAMENTO – A lawsuit was filed earlier this month by the California Chamber of Commerce against California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in an effort to end the requirement for Proposition 65 warnings on acrylamide in food and beverages.
Workplace apps are helpful for employers, but could put them at risk of class-action lawsuits, says attorney
SACRAMENTO – Companies using employee apps are running the risk of being blindsided by employer class-actions as trial lawyers are now zeroing in on a new type of litigation.
Lemon law cases against auto makers racking up; Critic says plaintiff lawyers undermining law's intent
SACRAMENTO – As automakers across the state of California continue to get hammered with lemon lawsuits, a civil justice reform advocate points to the legal fees plaintiff attorneys are after as the reason for the growing wave of litigation.
CALA director: 'Banning arbitration means inundating the courts with more lawsuits'
SACRAMENTO – The U.S. House of Representatives last month passed the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act, which sets out to do away with arbitration contracts for employment, consumer, anti-trust or civil rights disputes. With a bill to ban forced arbitration in employment settings also sitting on Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, experts fear for the future of the state as trial lawyers are seemingly gaining the upper hand.
Ag coalition files motion for permanent summary judgment against Prop 65 regarding glyphosate safety
SACRAMENTO – A nationwide coalition of agricultural producers and business organizations representing a substantial segment of U.S. agriculture filed a motion on Sept.25 for a permanent summary judgment against the California Attorney General regarding the state’s cancer warning requirement for products containing glyphosate under California’s Proposition 65.
Ford seeks to exclude plaintiffs' auto mechanic expert in transmission MDL, saying scientific knowledge not there as Daubert requires
LOS ANGELES – U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte Jr. last week denied summary judgment sought by Ford Motor Co. in multi-district litigation involving transmission issues with Focus and Fiesta models, but he will allow further hearing on the company's moves to exclude certain plaintiff expert witnesses.
CALA director: Anti-arbitration bill will have 'devastating impact' on state business
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 51 was just one of many labor and litigation bills that was pushed through this legislative session but some experts believe it was the most significant and will harm future business across the state.
CJAC responds to poor legal climate ranking in poll, cites 'shakedown lawsuits'
SACRAMENTO – California recently ranked 48th in the country in an annual lawsuit climate poll, sliding down two spots from a year ago and adding to the long, growing list of economic troubles facing the state.
State's poor lawsuit climate ranking largely due to meritless litigation, PAGA and Prop 65, CALA director says
SACRAMENTO – The state of California can add to its already long list of growing economic problems as the Golden State was recently ranked 48th in the nation in a lawsuit climate survey, dropping two spots from a year ago.
State ranks 48th for lawsuit climate, CMTA exec says 'litigious environment makes it difficult' for manufacturing
SACRAMENTO – The state of California recently ranked 48th in the nation in an annual lawsuit climate poll, falling two spots from a year ago, reflective of tensions felt by business investors.
California Retailers Association CEO: Independent contractor bill expected 'to result in extensive, costly litigation'
SACRAMENTO – California has passed a groundbreaking employment legislation that will challenge the business models of gig-economy companies that have thrived in the Golden State over the past decade.
California Chamber: Independent contractor bill provides 'clarity and certainty' to 'Dynamex,' but more clarification needed
SACRAMENTO – California has passed landmark employment legislation that challenges the business model of gig-economy companies such as ride-hailing giants Uber Technologies and Lyft, some of the powerhouses of Silicon Valley over the past decade.
California Consumer Privacy Act 'can't be fixed,' says law professor
SANTA CLARA – With the controversial California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) set to be enacted in 2020, businesses and legislators alike are making last-ditch efforts to push forth amendments before time runs out.
Bill that would limit arbitration in employment contracts would force costly litigation, says CMTA
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 51 is just one of many proposed labor law bills that has reached the assembly floor in California, but some experts are fearful that the particular bill would only add fuel to the fire of an already difficult legal climate by forcing costly litigation onto businesses whether they deserve it or not.
Four amicus briefs filed in case appeal of bellwether Roundup trial; Farmers question - 'what is the law?'
SAN FRANCISCO – Four amicus briefs have been filed in the California Court of Appeals, First Appellate District, Division One in the case of Dewayne Johnson v. Monsanto.
California Policy Center gearing up for grand prize 'most ridiculous' Prop 65 warning
TUSTIN – The California Policy Center (CPC) is providing laughs for Californians who've been called on to judge the "most ridiculous" Prop 65 warnings.
CALA director: Privacy act is setting up businesses for 'shakedown' lawsuits
SACRAMENTO – Businesses are making last-ditch efforts to get lawmakers to amend the groundbreaking California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) due to concerns of what impact the bill may have across the state when it goes into effect Jan. 1.
Manufacturing exec concerned that Prop 65 amendments will likely lead to more 'unwarranted' suits
SACRAMENTO – On July 5, the Office Environmental Health Hazard Assessment proposed modified amendments to Proposition 65 that could increase the amount of warnings on food products, and business leaders are uneasy on how it would affect business in the state.