News from September 2018
FARELLA BRAUN + MARTEL LLP: Five Farella Braun + Martel Partners Named to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hotlist
Farella Braun + Martel LLP’s Carly O. Alameda, Sarah Peterman Bell, Eugene Y. Mar, Jessica K. Nall, and Erica Villanueva have been named to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hotlist” for 2018.
DLA PIPER: Holly Lake to join DLA Piper's Employment practice in Los Angeles
Lake represents both private and public employers in all aspects of employment law and related litigation, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, and wage-and-hour matters.
Petaluma-based ukulele maker claims North Carolina firm infringed on its trademark
SAN FRANCISCO – Kala Brand Music Co., a Petaluma-based music instrument maker, recently filed a federal lawsuit claiming a North Carolina firm violated the copyright regarding a Kala ukulele.
Silicon Valley startup accused of shutting out early creators
A Florida investment company claims a blockchain startup took its software and shut the company out of its success.
Nurses formerly employed by Corizon Health allege they were not paid lawful wages
FRESNO – Several nurses previously employed by a health care company allege they are owed unpaid wages.
Valley Network Solutions, others alleged to have failed to complete project
FRESNO – Two Fresno County businesses allege that the companies they hired to install security systems failed to do so in a workmanlike manner.
Two Santa Rosa property owners face federal lawsuit over rare salamander
An environmental group brought a federal lawsuit against two landowners for allegedly threatening the Sonoma County population of the California tiger salamander.
Court upholds nearly $20,000 refund to Burbank Housing Development Corp. in school impact fee case
SAN FRANCISCO – A state appeals court affirmed a trial court’s decision on Sept. 10 that granted a petition for a writ of mandate and declaratory relief, invalidated agreements as well as refunded Burbank Housing Development Corp. $19,557 in fees in a case over school impact fees.
First Appellate District Court reverses judgment in favor of Softsol Technologies in fraud case
SAN FRANCISCO – A California appeals court reversed and remanded the Alameda County Superior Court’s judgment on Sept. 11 “with instructions to enter an order sustaining the demurrer with leave to amend” in a first cause of action over fraud allegations against defendant and respondent Softsol Technologies Inc.
Companies gear up for review and reversal of lead paint public nuisance case
SACRAMENTO - Businesses and legal scholars are weighing in on a request that the U.S. Supreme Court review, and then overturn, a decision out of California that penalizes companies over lead-based paint, forcing them to pay potentially hundreds of millions for clean up costs.
VenKee Communications alleges Belkin International product infringes patent
LOS ANGELES – A Texas company alleges a router sold by a Playa Vista company infringes a patent.
Consumer alleges false accounts with Discover, others are listed on credit report
LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County consumer alleges his credit worthiness has been damaged because of three false accounts listed in his report.
United Food and Commercial Workers union alleges former director unlawfully kept union property
SAN DIEGO – A labor union alleges that a former director failed to return union property after he was terminated.
Appeals court upholds granting of nonsuit in favor of Honeywell in asbestos exposure case
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Court of Appeal First Appellate District, Division Four, recently concluded that the Alameda County Superior Court did not err in granting a nonsuit in favor of Honeywell International Inc. in a mechanic's asbestos exposure suit.
Mitek Systems alleges insurers breached contract by denying duty to defend
SAN DIEGO – A San Diego corporation alleges its insurers failed to defend it in a lawsuit filed in a Texas court.
Consumer alleges AFNI is attempting to collect on an account that was paid in full
SAN DIEGO – A San Diego consumer alleges a debt collector is attempting to collect on a debt that was paid off.
Apple employee alleges he is entitled to benefits from Life Insurance Co. of North America
LOS ANGELES – A telephone operator for Apple alleges he is disabled and is entitled to long-term disability benefits.
Arizona woman alleged to have fled scene after striking minor at Gordon Wells sand dunes
SAN DIEGO – An Arizona resident is alleged to have hit a minor at the Gordon Wells sand dunes and fled the scene.
Lien Enforcement alleged to have called consumer without permission
SAN DIEGO – A San Diego County consumer alleges a debt collector contacted her without her consent.
Basketball that struck sprinkler head at San Diego property alleged to have caused $700,000 in property damage
SAN DIEGO – A sprinkler head in an apartment building that was purportedly broken by tenants playing with a basketball is alleged to have caused more than $700,000 in property damage.