News from August 2016
Woman claims insurance company wrongfully denied benefits after husband's death
LOS ANGELES – A widow has filed a suit against her insurance company alleging it wrongfully denied her claim for accidental death coverage after the death of her husband.
Biotech company questions validity of Bayer's drug patent
SAN FRANCISCO – A biotech company has filed a petition that questions the validity of Bayer’s patent on its cancer drug Stivarga.
California controller fined for not reporting campaign contributions
SACRAMENTO – California's top financial officer, whose responsibility includes prodding other government entities to submit their financial reports on time, has been fined for missing seven campaign reports of her own.
Walnut Creek attorney disbarred, allegedly failed to prepare client's will
SAN FRANCISCO – Tina Tran, an attorney who practices in Walnut Creek, was disbarred March 18 after being charged with five violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Business and Professions Code.
UC Berkeley law professors view future of landmark Chevron deference
ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Supreme Court's apparent recent retreat from its deference to the statutory interpretations of governmental agencies is causing concern, scholars said at an administrative law conference in June hosted by George Mason University's Center for the Study of the Administrative State. The event was held at the Antonin Scalia School of Law, newly dubbed in honor of the late Supreme Court justice.
Attorney-client privilege wins out in fight to share harassment claim investigation report
PETALUMA – A California appeals court ruled in June that the city of Petaluma is not required to share a report related to the investigation of a 2014 sexual harassment claim filed against the city by former Petaluma firefighter and paramedic Andrea Waters.
Gov. Brown appoints Tamara Wood to Shasta County Superior Court judgeship
REDDING – California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced in June that Tamara Wood has been appointed to a judgeship on the Shasta County Superior Court.
Law school dean: U.S. Supreme Court decision to take up Fannie Mae case not surprising
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to hear a case about Fannie Mae's charter awards jurisdiction to federal courts is not too surprising, the dean of the University of California Irvine School of Law said during a recent interview.
Toy designer files suit against Hasbro over My Little Pony dolls
LOS ANGELES – A professional toy inventor alleges that she was not paid for her ideas by a toy manufacturer.
Fabric Selection Inc. claims design was used without permission
LOS ANGELES – Two companies are alleged to have manufactured and distributed garments containing the copyrighted design of a Los Angeles County company without authorization.
Debt purchaser alleges companies breached contract, did not pay settlement
LOS ANGELES – A Connecticut debt purchaser alleges that it is owed by several companies for a settlement.
United Omaha Life wrongfully denied benefits, man claims
LOS ANGELES – An employee for the city of Long Beach claims he is disabled and was wrongfully denied long-term disability benefits by his insurer.
Altair Instruments files suit against retailers over sale of microdermabrasion devices
LOS ANGELES – A Ventura business has filed a suit against several retailers alleging they distribute microdermabrasion devices that infringes one or more claims of its patent.
Pet Sit Pros Inc. claims former employee is using mark, soliciting clients
LOS ANGELES – A pet sitting company based in Los Angeles County alleges a former employee is using its mark for his own business.
Trust funds allege Security Paving Co. Inc. is behind on contributions
SAN FRANCISCO – The trust funds or a labor union allege an employer did not pay contributions per the terms of a bargaining agreement.
Owner of Marilyn Monroe photos alleges New York Daily News published them without consent
LOS ANGELES – A collector and owner of several historic photographs alleges a media company published two photos of Marilyn Monroe without his permission.
Harbor Freight Tools alleges company hired for returns management did not honor contract
LOS ANGELES – A Calabasas tool company alleges a Pittsburgh wholesale retailer return business did not perform as promised.
Rems Vegas Sports Lounge allegedly allows karaoke operators to use counterfeit products
LOS ANGELES – A Placentia bar and restaurant is accused of using allowing counterfeit karaoke products in its establishment.
Placentia employees file suit alleging they are owed unpaid overtime wages
LOS ANGELES – Current employees of the city of Placentia allege that they have not been paid overtime wages.
Zurn Industries claims company manufactures infringing valve parts
LOS ANGELES – A Pennsylvania company with a place of business in Paso Robles claims a North Carolina company distributes allegedly infringing products.