Sarah Downey News
Website accessibility lawsuits account for large percentage of ADA claims
Even as serial ADA lawsuit claims have faced pushback, case numbers still are climbing, with an estimated 12 percent rise in 2022 compared to the year prior.
With recession looming, California readies for cuts as deficit tops $20B
As California faces a projected $22.5 billion deficit, it’s raising questions about how Gov. Gavin Newsom and state leaders will help address new economic realities with cost reductions in the newly proposed budget.
U.S. Rep. Kiley presses President Biden for Caldor Fire relief for El Dorado County
As California communities seek to rebuild from wildfires, residents of Grizzly Flats in El Dorado County have been hoping for the federal assistance that is usually provided after hundreds of people lose their homes in a fire.
U.S. Supreme Court to decide if lawsuits must stop while tussle over arbitration continues
An upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in a case originating in Northern California will determine whether lawsuit proceedings must stop when a party appeals a motion denying arbitration.
As tech layoffs increase in California, lawsuits are almost certain to rise, too
With more tech sector layoffs expected in 2023, more litigation is expected against the companies that are paring down.
California AG joins with other states asking SCOTUS to take up case over future of CFPB
A federal appeals court declared the way that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded to be unconstitutional, because it essentially allows the federal agency to answer only to itself, and not elected lawmakers
New filing urges California Supreme Court to rein in lawsuit abuse vs employers under state's PAGA law
A new friend of the court brief seeks end to "shakedown" of small businesses under the California Private Attorneys General Act, a law that a new coalition of business advocates argues is being used merely to enrich trial lawyers
Sacramento County judge says no Fast Food Council til officials can verify referendum to overturn AB257
Creation of an unelected Fast Food Council to enact new industry standards has been halted by the courts after a voter referendum opposing it was filed with the California Secretary of State.
National Labor Relations Board pursues California claims to classify college athletes as employees
The General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is now pursuing claims on behalf of student athletes at private schools in an effort to classify them as employees.
Hoover tops Cooley in District 7 Assembly race; Other races also stoked by voter frustration with education policy, spending
The California Secretary of State’s release of certified election results on Dec. 16 showed several races from the Nov. 8 election that were decided by a small number of votes.
U.S. Census data shows more Californians electing to move out of state
As new Census Bureau data shows California in its third straight year of population loss, it’s prompting more questions about who is leaving and what’s keeping the migration trend going.
CA Supreme Court to decide if state lawmakers need to fix PAGA law, which SCOTUS said conflicts with federal law
The state high court will decide if someone can press another person's claims in court, under the controversial Private Attorneys General Act, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling saying that provision doesn't comply with federal arbitration law
Businesses face more supply chain issues as West Coast port negotiations continue into new year
With ports here losing favor amid a potential dockworker strike and supply chain issues, concerns persist about how imports shifting elsewhere could impact California’s economy.
New Cal/OSHA regulation on Covid mitigation in the workplace taking effect in January
As Cal/OSHA has voted to continue its COVID-mitigation regulation for two more years, it will mean new – but also what’s been described as more feasible requirements – on outbreak thresholds and record-keeping.
California’s certified election results show fewer votes for Newsom than 2021 recall
After five weeks of counting, the certified Nov. 8 election results show the number of people voting for California Gov. Gavin Newsom was roughly 1.5 million votes behind the number who voted for him in last year’s recall.
CalChamber opposes AG Bonta's support for broadening PAGA
A new brief in Adolph v. Uber, a case involving California’s PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act), asks the state Supreme Court to restore a plaintiff’s ability to pursue another person’s PAGA claims in court, which the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled isn’t compatible with federal arbitration law.
Save Local Restaurants coalition submits signatures to overturn AB 257
Proponents for an initiative that would repeal California's AB 257 – the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery (FAST) Act – have collected the required signatures for placing the measure on the November 2024 election ballot.
Union legislation raises concerns for California agricultural outlook
As new data points to increased interest in leaving California, the legal and legislative climate is cited by advocates in agriculture and other industries for which relocating may be less viable.
New class action includes California sports franchise in business fraud complaint
A new federal lawsuit alleges the Golden State Warriors are liable for allowing advertising that exposed the plaintiff to a business opportunity that ultimately went bankrupt.
California confronts budget concerns amid recession fears, tech sector disruptions
As more economic indicators suggest the U.S. economy faces a recession, questions persist about how California addresses a possible budget deficit with less tax revenue.