News from August 2016
Former insurance agent says DLG owner 'deceived' his boss
LOS ANGELES — In 2006, insurance agent and securities broker James Davidson learned at a meeting about a new product that could be used to sell more insurance, but ultimately would wind up as the basis for legal problems.
Insurance agents' supervisor: 'Friedman owed me money' but kept quiet about it
LOS ANGELES — The plaintiff's lawyers spent days working to show how Tony Russon, the head of a MetLife subsidiary, stood by while the owner of an investment fund offering premium financing for insurance customers sold himself as a wealthy individual with a solid business.
Head of MetLife subsidiary continues testimony in fraud case
LOS ANGELES — Despite what have been interpreted as warning signs, Tony Russon testified last week that he continued to trust the owner of Diversified Lending Group during the years that the fund was taking on investors and financing premiums for insurance policies.
San Rafael attorney disbarred for unauthorized practice in up to 400 cases
SAN RAFAEL -- A California attorney has been disbarred, because he actively represented 300 to 400 trademark cases before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) despite not being able to practice in this area of law.
Orrick law firm offers student loan relief for new hires
OAKLAND – The law firm lauded by Vault.com for having this year's best summertime legal associate training program and the second-best diversity program in the nation is spearheading a market-leading student loan pay-off program.
Judge allows for limited class action against Apple and Path app for data breach
SAN FRANCISCO – Apple Inc. is asking a federal appeals court to overturn last month's ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Jon Tigar in the Northern District of California that an estimated 480,000 Apple users who downloaded the Path social network app can continue as a class against Path Inc. and Apple.
75-year-old plaintiff says she invested in DLG because she trusted MetLife; admits she should have asked more questions
LOS ANGELES – The plaintiff who claims MetLife and one of its subsidiaries endorsed that turned out to be a fraudulent real estate investment fund choked up as she described the embarrassment she felt when the fund was uncovered as a Ponzi scheme in 2009.
Attorney: Courts, DOL say field service engineers are nonexempt, entitled to OT pay
SAN FRANCISCO – A Sunnyvale company facing a lawsuit by one of its field service engineers for allegedly not paying him overtime wages will have a difficult time defending itself if the employee's legal counsel's assessment of the case plays out.
Lawyer: Micron patent ruling 'will definitely encourage parties to err on side of inclusion'
SAN FRANCISCO – The world of patent law is ever changing but a ruling issued last month seeks to put limits on how and when changes can be made.
Judge: Disbarred Bay area attorneys 'took advantage of vulnerable, desperate homeowners'
SAN FRANCISCO – In November 2013, a State Bar judge argued that two Bay Area attorneys should be disbarred for cheating homeowners by promising to save their homes and then providing incompetent representation, or none at all, and turning their cases over to a non-lawyer. In March, the state Supreme Court agreed.
Triangle Construction sued over allegedly illegal telemarketing calls
SAN DIEGO – An individual is suing a Culver City company alleging it was soliciting home improvement services via telemarketing calls.
Man files suit alleging spouse's survivor benefits were wrongfully denied to him
SAN FRANCISCO/ OAKLAND – A man alleges his late husband's employer has not paid him the survivor benefits he claims he is entitled to.
Suit filed against UFO International over 'Sniper: Ghost Shooter' movie title
LOS ANGELES – A game development has filed suit against movie producers alleging they titled a direct-to-video movie after its video game.
Former employee files suit against Kennard Development Group alleging defamation
LOS ANGELES – An executive alleges his former employer made false statements that cost him clients.
Judge's nomination to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals depends on politics, professor says
SAN FRANCISCO – Following a successful confirmation hearing, Lucy Koh is one step closer to becoming the first female Korean-American judge on an appellate court.
Robbins Geller attorneys honored by Super Lawyers
Add Teaser hereSAN FRANCISCO – Five attorneys from the Robbins Geller firm were recognized by Super Lawyers, an affiliate of Thomson Reuters.
Family of man who died in self-driving Tesla car crash hires lawyer
PALO ALTO – The family of Joshua Brown is not ruling out suing electric car maker Tesla after Brown died in a May 7 crash while he was using his Model S car’s self-driving mechanism called Autopilot.
Tax attorney suspended for not filing taxes on $1.3 million in earnings
SAN FRANCISCO – Attorney James Patrick Klier, who practices in San Francisco, was suspended on March 19 from practicing law for 90 days and placed on probation for two years after he stipulated to failing to file tax returns for 11 years, based on a total of $1.3 million in earnings.
Class action filed against Media Mix over telemarketing calls
LOS ANGELES – An Avalon man has filed a class-action lawsuit against a Santa Ana telemarketer and its CEO after it repeatedly called his number even though it is listed on the Do Not Call list.
Motorcyclist files suit for damages after accident with USPS employee
SAN DIEGO – A Temecula resident has filed a suit after a collision between her and a postal service vehicle.