News from November 2016
GGU Professor: Veterans Law Conference helps increase awareness of veterans issues
SAN FRANCISCO – On Nov. 3, Golden Gate University School of Law hosted its fourth annual Veterans Law Conference, with the theme Reintegration and Homecoming: Welcoming Warriors and Saluting Service.
More lawyers opting to work in a shared workspace instead of law offices in Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – There are more lawyers in the Bay Area who have opted for a shared workplace environment than in the local top law firms.
Marin Clean Energy counsel: Communities need 'passionate' people regarding renewable energy as options expand
SAN FRANCISCO – On Oct. 24, University of San Francisco law students hosted a panel of experts discussing Implications for California’s energy future. The audience of about 50 people learned about a new model of energy service in California, community choice aggregation (CCA) programs, which are a way that communities can choose their energy source and choose which energy option best fits the needs of their customers.
Citizens for Ceres stops legal fight against new Wal-Mart development
SAN FRANCISCO – Citizens for Ceres missed the Nov. 14 deadline to petition the California Supreme Court to stop construction of the Mitchell Ranch Shopping Center, which would be anchored by a Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Advanced Commission LLC accused of sending unsolicited texts
LOS ANGELES – A San Luis Obispo County resident alleges a company he has never had a business relationship with has been sending text messages to his phone.
District court in California considers litigation funding disclosure rule
A proposed rule in the Northern District of California could require parties in civil suits to disclose the presence of litigation funders. And reactions to the proposal demonstrate just how far apart groups in the legal community are on the issue of third-party investment in lawsuits.
CalGang facial recognition technology has problems that spur concerns
SAN FRANCISCO – A state audit in August confirmed that CalGang facial recognition has numerous errors and inaccuracies and could be a breach of individuals' privacy. CalGang, the gang database used by 58 California police agencies, logs individuals with alleged ties to criminal gang activities in hopes of decreasing the crime rate in the state.
Kasem Cares seeks raw footage of documentary from Rose Street Productions
LOS ANGELES – A nonprofit organization headed by the daughter of radio icon Casey Kasem alleges that a production company hired to create a documentary breached its agreement.
Heinz employee alleges FMC Corp. machine was defective, caused amputation of arms
SACRAMENTO – A Stanislaus County couple alleges the husband's arms were amputated while he was cleaning a defective machine as part of his job duties.
Yahoo user files class action over data breach, alleges she was victim of identity theft
SAN FRANCISCO – A Yahoo user alleges she was the victim of identity theft after a 2014 data breach.
Soniya Valley LLC alleged to sell counterfeit RooR pipes
SACRAMENTO – The exclusive licensee of a brand of smoker's pipes alleges a Roseville store is selling counterfeit versions of its products.
Woman alleges she is owed more than $26,000 for disability benefits
SACRAMENTO – A former First Bank Inc. employee alleges she was wrongfully denied disability benefits.
Modesto man accused of using infringing copy of Live Face on Web software
SACRAMENTO – A Pennsylvania software developer alleges a Modesto individual is using its product without permission.
Appeals court overturns $73.4 million ruling in Kings County
FRESNO – A California appeals court has reversed a $73.4 million verdict in favor of a new city proposal in Kings County, a move that now casts uncertainty over the plan.
Attorney says communication key to attorney-client relationships and avoiding disputes
NEWPORT BEACH – While a city in southeast Ventura County grapples with its disputed half-million-dollars' worth of legal fees, an Orange County attorney offered advice for lawyers about how to keep such arguments out of the court system.
Appeals court settles Tahoe agency's clash with environmental groups
SAN FRANCISCO – An ongoing conflict between the Sierra Club and Friends of the West Shore with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) has come to an end ... for now. The environmental groups, represented by Earthjustice attorney Trent Orr, appealed their lawsuit to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez dismissed it in April 2014. The appeals court upheld the TRPA plan.
Modcloth alleged to have infringed fabric design for garments
LOS ANGELES – A Pennsylvania-based online retailer is accused of copying a fabric design without authorization.
Lenders Cloud lawsuit may push for settlement over alleged violation of phone statute
SACRAMENTO – A lawsuit has been filed against a company using telephone solicitation, claiming it is in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
South Lake Tahoe sledder alleges he was burned by forest service fire
SACRAMENTO – An individual alleges he was burned while sledding because of a controlled fire conducted by a federal agency that was hidden and left burning.
California Supreme Court hears arguments in case alleging overreach by insurance commissioners
SAN FRANCISCO – Arguments were heard on Nov. 1 in the California Supreme Court regarding the Association of California Insurance Companies (ACIC) versus Dave Jones, one of many California insurance commissioners, regarding regulations and possibly misleading issues around insurance costs.