News from 2018
State bar court recommends Long Beach attorney's disbarment
SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) — Long Beach attorney Bruce Joseph Tackowiak faces possible disbarment following a recently announced California State Bar Court recommendation over allegations arising from two client matters.
J&J talc witness says no asbestos while plaintiff lawyer says he’s a hired professional testifier
LOS ANGELES – A mineralogist appearing as a witness for Johnson & Johnson said he found no asbestos in the baby powder bottle used by Carolyn Weirick, while her attorney sought to portray him as a partisan, highly paid professional defense witness.
Woman alleges Equifax, OneMain Financial listed inaccurate information on report
SACRAMENTO – A consumer alleges inaccurate information is listed on her credit report.
Helix Environmental Planning accuses Helix Environmental and Strategic Solutions of infringement
SAN DIEGO – A La Mesa business alleges a Porter Ranch company is infringing its trade name.
AM2 Logistic Inc., BKSG Transportation alleged to owe more than $15,000 to former dispatcher
FRESNO – Two Fresno companies are alleged to have terminated a dispatcher over his complaints of past-due wages.
Citrus farmers allege no more is owed to Agri-Valley Irrigation under contracts
FRESNO – Two citrus farmers allege they have paid the amount due under two contracts with a Fresno County business, but the business claims they owe thousands more.
California Supreme Court ruling supports Toyota in vehicle stability control case
SAN FRANCISCO – Toyota has won an appeal regarding a safety feature in one of its pickup truck models.
Mineralogist for defendant: Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder has no asbestos
LOS ANGELES – A lead scientist for Imerys Talc America Inc., the talc mining company that supplies Johnson & Johnson with the talc used in its baby powder, said testing showed no asbestos.
District Court sends Tadich Grill trademark infringement case to arbitration
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California made a ruling on Aug. 28 that addresses several issues raised in a Tadich Grill “trademark infringement, cybersquatting and false designation of origin” lawsuit.
Production company gets summary judgment reversal over painting ownership
SAN FRANCISCO – A California production company obtained a partial summary judgment in a case involving the ownership of a famous painting.
Court of Appeals affirms summary judgment denial against art school
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal appeals court has affirmed a decision to deny the Academy of Art University's request for summary judgment.
California Supreme Court affirms decision to deny law firm's arbitration award
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court's decision to deny an arbitration award to a law firm that was in a dispute with a pipe maker.
LendingClub shareholder suit dismissed two years after original request
SAN FRANCISCO – A motion to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit on behalf of LendingClub Corp. was granted in an Aug. 29 order by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Appeals court wants California Supreme Court to answer "public works" question in wage dispute
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit handed off to the California Supreme Court a case concerning the definition of “public works” in the California Labor Code.
Appeals court sends Kentucky Fried Chicken class action case back to district court
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has remanded a class action lawsuit against Great American Chicken Corp., after it failed to meet the residency rule for class action members.
Appeals court sends minimum wage case involving Marriott back to California state court
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal court of appeals vacated a summary judgment in a case involving an alleged violation of a San Jose minimum wage ordinance.
Appeals court reverses and remands FERC decision against irrigation district
SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed and remanded a decision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in a complaint stemming from an alleged breach of contract between an irrigation district and an electric company.
Appeals court refuses to dismiss retired employees' class action case against Orange County
PASADENA — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part a lower court’s decision to dismiss a class action lawsuit against the County of Orange after it changed health benefits for retired employees.
Ninth Circuit Court reverses dismissal of NFL players' claims of illegally supplied drugs
A group of retired NFL players can pursue claims the National Football League illegally supplied players with opioids and other prescription drugs, a federal appeals court ruled.
Photojournalist alleges website used 'Jessica Jones' photographs without license, consent
LOS ANGELES – A New York professional photojournalist is suing a Woodland Hills-based website operator over allegations it published photos taken on a TV set without permission.