News from January 2017
Retired justice said Brock Turner's judge was right to rule the way that he did
STOCKTON — A retired judge who served on a panel of legal experts that met recently to discuss the Brock Turner case said that a Santa Clara judge was right to rule the way that he did in the case.
Appeals court finds Swart not obligated to pay state franchise tax
FRESNO, Calif. — A California appeals court has ruled that the state is not legally authorized to attach its franchise tax on out-of-state entities simply based on its investment in a limited-liability company doing business in the state.
California judge upholds public utility's subscriber data sharing
The U.S. District Court of the Northern
District of California ordered last fall that the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) could hand over requested confidential subscriber information to The
Utility Reform Network (TURN) so it can research state market
competitiveness, despite the resistance from communication companies like
AT&T Mobility and other wireless carriers.
ABI Document Support Services wins service award
LOS ANGELES — ABI Document Support Services recently earned the 2016 Attorney at Law Magazine: The Los Angeles Edition's "Professional Service of the Year" Award, according to a news release.
Open Source Steel LLC accused of infringing California man's patents
SAN JOSE – An inventor alleges a Washington company has unlawfully incorporated his designs in its products.
Consumer alleges Chase Bank USA NA caused damages with frequent calls
SAN DIEGO – A San Diego man alleges a debt collection continued to call him after he revoked his consent.
Marina Del Rey attorney suspended for misappropriating funds
LOS ANGELES — Marina Del Rey attorney Geoffrey L. Taylor was placed on suspension by the State Bar Court of California for misappropriation of client funds in a single matter.
Couture Textile accuses Ross Stores, Jainson's International of copyright infringement
LOS ANGELES – A fabric print designer alleges two companies unlawfully copied a design and used it in garments without authorization.
Woman seeks disability benefits from the Life Insurance Co. of North America
LOS ANGELES – A former emergency department coordinator with Unity Point Health alleges her disability benefits claim was wrongfully denied.
West Coast Life Insurance alleged to owe more than $140,000 in commissions to employee
LOS ANGELES – An insurance agent alleges she is owed thousands in unpaid commissions from her employer.
Individual alleged to have defaulted on education loan
LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County man is alleged to have defaulted on a student loan.
Man claims Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited did not have permission to call him
SACRAMENTO – A Bakersfield man alleges his privacy was invaded by a vacation company.
Mom files class action over allegations Hatchimal toy she purchased is defective, didn't hatch
SACRAMENTO – A Bakersfield woman alleges a Hatchimal toy she purchased for $50 never "hatched" as advertised and has filed a class action.
Friend Trusted alleged to have sent text messages without permission to consumer
SAN FRANCISCO – A Kentucky woman alleges a Menlo Park business sent her unwanted text messages.
SchwabPlan Retirement Savings and Investment Plan participant alleges damages
SAN FRANCISCO – A plan participant has filed a class-action lawsuit over allegations its administrators violated their fiduciary duties.
Southern California Edison faces class action over alleged solicitation calls
LOS ANGELES – An individual has filed a class-action lawsuit against Southern California Edison over allegations it contacted her without her permission to solicit the California Solar Initiative.
Cann Studio Inc.; Cornerstone Apparel Inc. accused of using fabric design without permission
LOS ANGELES – A textile converter alleges two California companies unlawfully used one of its designs in garments without authorization.
Former exotic dancers seek minimum-wage payment from California club
SAN FRANCISCO — Two former exotic dancers in San Francisco are among the latest to join the growing number of dancers pursuing litigation against clubs for alleged violation of labor laws.
Appellate court denies Samsung's request to move lawsuit to arbitration
SAN FRANCISCO — Samsung recently lost an appeal to move a lawsuit from the courts to binding arbitration.
Appeals court rules against small-business group in transparency case over Pentagon contracts
SAN FRANCISCO — The American Small Business League lost an appeal on Jan. 6 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco in an attempt to show evidence of reduced subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in Pentagon contracts.