News from September 2016
Plaza Smoke Shop allegedly sold counterfeit water pipes
LOS ANGELES — A water pipe distributor has filed suit against a retailer for allegedly selling water pipes that are counterfeit.
SolarCity accused of not adequately compensating former employee
SAN FRANCISCO – A sales specialist alleges that her former employer did not provide rest breaks or pay minimum wages.
Woman alleges TRS Recovery Services Inc. continued to call after she revoked permission
LOS ANGELES – A Venture consumer has filed a class-action lawsuit against a debt collector alleging it violated federal law with the collection calls it placed to her cellphone.
Wal-Mart, others alleged to have used copyrighted fabric design without authorization
LOS ANGELES – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and others are facing accusations from a Los Angeles company that it used a copyrighted textile design for clothing without permission.
San Jose attorney suspended, given probation for commingling funds
LOS ANGELES – The California State Bar Court placed San Jose attorney Steven Lee Dickinson on a 60-day suspension from practicing law and gave him a two-year probation with specific requirements that include completion of the multistate professional responsibility examination.
State Bar Hands Down Public Reproval Decision To Vandervoort
SAN FRANCISCO – The State Bar Court of California ordered attorney John Joseph Vandervoort be publicly reproved in June 2016 for a physical altercation and arrest that occurred on Jan. 13, 2013. This discipline was imposed following Vandervoort’s completion of the Bar’s alternative discipline program (ADP).
Calif. Supreme Court follows the lead of U.S. Supreme Court on amending proposed initiatives
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Supreme
Court’s first-time interpretation of Section 9002 of the state’s Elections Code
shows its willingness to follow the lead of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pam Wilson leaving State Bar of California after 36 years
SAN FRANCISCO – When Pam Wilson worked as a temp at the 1980 State Bar of California Annual Meeting, she thought it was a one-shot deal. Although enjoyable, she was prepared to move on to the next career challenge.
California Bar asks for Supreme Court intervention in dues issue
SAN FRANCISO – The State Bar of California (SBC) is throwing itself at the mercy of the Supreme Court of California, hoping to reinstate its ability to collect fees, which lapses Jan. 1, 2017.
California's lawyer-backed fund gives victims of attorney fraud chance to recover money
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Client
Security Fund, managed by the State Bar of California, provides a chance at
reimbursement for those whose money is taken by a dishonest attorney.
Lumber Liquidators allegedly sold defective flooring
LOS ANGELES — An individual has filed a class-action lawsuit against a national flooring provider for allegedly selling and installing defective flooring.
Engineering firm claims GMEP Engineering Consulting violated its trademark
SANTA ANA — A California corporation has filed suit against a competitor for allegedly infringing its trademark.
California garment designer alleges Zulily copied its designs
LOS ANGELES — A California textile printer has filed suit against a retailer for allegedly manufacturing and distributing clothing that feature the same design as the plaintiff's items.
California business alleges subscriber alleged illegally distributed its copyrighted movies
SAN DIEGO — A California business has filed suit against an unidentified party for allegedly distributing the company's copyrighted movies without permission.
Man claims insurance company wrongfully denied his disability claim
LOS ANGELES — A former employee has filed suit against a life insurance company for allegedly canceling his disability payments.
Woman alleges she did not give Kohl's permission to contact her on cellphone
LOS ANGELES – A consumer claims a debt collector routinely called her on her cellphone without permission.
Lawyer says NLRB ruling imposed 'radical, new standard' for use of replacement workers
OAKLAND – A long-term care facility is waiting to see which court of appeals will hear its case after the National Labor Relations Board refused Aug. 24 to reconsider a previous ruling that the facility violated the National Labor Relations Act.
Court rules federal government not liable for kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, lawyer plans to file request for rehearing
SAN FRANCISCO – The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Aug. 26, the U.S. government cannot be held responsible for the 1991 kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, who was held captive for 18 years.
Appeals court breathes new life into auto manufacturer conspiracy case
SAN FRANCISCO – Plaintiffs in a decade-long lawsuit may finally take their case to trial after an appellate decision revived claims against an automaker’s Canadian affiliate.
District court vacates USDA organic regulations document in 'rare' decision
SAN FRANCISCO – On June 20, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) guidance document ruling it violated the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).