Rich Peters News
Legal advertising and geofencing may be skewing jury pools and damaging public perception
SACRAMENTO – The legal climate within the state of California and throughout the nation has become increasingly temperamental, driven by new waves of bills that have led to copious amounts of litigation. With these lawsuits becoming commonplace, experts have grown concerned with the way a number of these cases – specifically high-profile MDL cases – are being advertised to the public and the impact those advertisements may have on jury pools and verdicts.
Coalition submits initiation to reform AB 5; CJAC calls it 'further evidence that a legislative solution is needed'
SACRAMENTO – Ride-hailing drivers and supporters led by Uber, Lyft and DoorDash have formed a coalition and recently submitted a ballot initiative to the California Secretary of State’s Office in an effort to undo Assembly Bill 5.
FBAC exec: Proposed ballot initiative by ride-hailing coalition 'would not mitigate other problems' with AB 5
SACRAMENTO – A coalition of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers last month submitted a ballot initiative to the California Secretary of State’s Office in an effort by ride-hailing companies to undo AB 5, which makes it more difficult for companies to classify gig economy workers as contractors.
Stanford law expert on independent contractor law: 'There’s inevitably going to be litigation'
SACRAMENTO – A coalition started by Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers and supporters last month submitted a ballot initiative to the California Secretary of State’s Office in an effort to undo Assembly Bill 5 – a new law that will make it more difficult for companies to classify gig economy workers as contractors.
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash team up to fight independent contractor law AB 5
SACRAMENTO – A coalition of ride-hailing companies and supporters led by Uber, Lyft and DoorDash last month submitted a ballot initiative to the California Secretary of State’s Office in an effort to undo Assembly Bill 5, a new law that will make it more difficult for companies to classify gig economy workers as contractors.
CJAC president: Time for lawmakers to realize 'unintended consequences' of PAGA
SAN JOSE – Last month, Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Thomas E. Kuhnle approved a $12 million settlement against Safeway for failing to provide seats to more than 30,000 store cashiers.
CSBA concerned with unintended consequences of sexual assault lawsuits under new law
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that opens a three-year window to allow sexual abuse victims of any age in the state to sue on previously expired claims. Some groups, however, say the new law could lead to a big bump in civil litigation and the bankruptcy of some small school districts.
Magistrate judge recommends dismissal of plaintiffs' suit against Ford, cites 'obstructionist behavior'
LOS ANGELES – Ford Motor Co. recently motioned for sanctions against the plaintiffs across multiple lemon law cases as the automotive company has accused them of “obstructionist behavior” in the litigation process. A federal magistrate judge last week acknowledged the practices and recommended that a district court dismiss the plaintiffs’ complaints with prejudice.
CALPIRG director: 'Pay-for-delay' bill will give attorney general tools that he needs to monitor drug companies
Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed AB 824, known as the “Pay-for-Delay” bill, a new law that will block pharmaceutical companies from paying generic drug makers to not develop and bring lower-cost medicines to market. CALPIRG weighed in on the new law.
State Bar of California looking into rule change on attorneys sharing fees with non-lawyers
LOS ANGELES – The State Bar of California is looking at a rule change that would end a general ban on attorneys sharing fees with non-lawyers so non-attorneys could eventually hold financial interests in law firms. However, opponents say this would increase third-party litigation funding, leading to more third-party pressures on civil litigation that might do a disservice to clients.
CALA director on potential addition of acetaminophen to Prop. 65 list: 'Over-warning equals no warning at all'
SACRAMENTO – The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the state agency responsible for implementing Proposition 65 and compiling the list of substances that are known to cause cancer or reproductive harm, is considering the placement of acetaminophen on its list of cancer-causing substances.
CELC counsel discusses PAGA reform in wake of $12 million Safeway settlement
SAN JOSE – Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Thomas E. Kuhnle approved a $12 million settlement late October against Safeway for failing to provide seats to more than 30,000 store cashiers.
Judge grants Ford summary judgment in lemon law MDL; Finds plaintiff could not prove damages
LOS ANGELES – The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California this week granted Ford Motor Co.’s motion for summary adjudication in the case of a consumer who alleged there was a defective DPS6 transmission in his 2013 Ford Focus.
CALA exec discusses PAGA lawsuits in wake of county supervisor's op-ed calling for reform
SACRAMENTO – Stanislaus County Supervisor Kristin Olsen recently wrote an op-ed published in The Modesto Bee issuing a warning that businesses within her county are spending millions to settle Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits, taking away money that would be well-spent elsewhere within the community and making it more difficult to be a business owner in the state.
Family Business Association of California director: Legislature 'not interested' in meaningful PAGA reform
SACRAMENTO – Stanislaus County Supervisor Kristin Olsen recently issued a warning that businesses within her county are spending millions to settle Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits in an op-ed that was published in the Modesto Bee.
Employment Law Council attorney: PAGA is 'worst piece of legislation' ever to be signed by governor
SACRAMENTO – Some employer attorneys say Private Attorneys General Act lawsuits will increase due to the provisions of the recently signed Senate Bill 142.
CJAC expects more lengthy and costly lawsuits in wake of new 'Pay-for-Delay' bill
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed Assembly Bill 824, known as the “Pay-for-Delay” bill, a new law that will block pharmaceutical companies from paying generic drug makers to not develop and bring lower-cost medicines to market.
CALChamber exec: PAGA lawsuits have 'been a concern for the business community for years'
SACRAMENTO – Stanislaus County Supervisor Kristin Olsen issued a warning in a recent op-ed in The Modesto Bee explaining that businesses in her county have spent millions settling Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) lawsuits, taking away money that would be better spent in other places that serve more purpose.
Fisher Phillips lawyer: 'Likely' law outlawing mandatory arbitration will not stand
SACRAMENTO – Some experts see Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature on the controversial, anti-abitration Assembly Bill 51 as one that will further complicate an already perilous legal climate for businesses operating in the state of California.
Signing of arbitration bill is a 'shame' and will be nixed, according to Employment Law Council attorney
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 51 into effect, a controversial labor law that may further complicate conducting business across the state. Some experts, however, believe that the bill will be nixed due to a violation of federal law.