News from April 2023
California appeals panel says federal suit to collect fee from client's estate doesn't infringe on probate court's authority
A California federal appellate court has ruled an investment advisor's federal suit to collect a $3 million fee from the estate of a client, may proceed because, contrary to the estate's administrators, the suit does not give a federal judge power over a state probate court.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announces Ahead of Tax Day, Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians About Tax Fraud Scams, Other Government Imposter Scams
Ahead of Tax Day, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning Californians about common tax fraud scams that are particularly prevalent during tax season.
Founding partner of LegalMatch says she was wrongfully fired for trying to uncover alleged improper $3M transfer
Anna Ostrovsky says money was allegedly improperly transferred to cryptocurrency accounts allegedly to erase losses suffered by another business venture in the Philippines. She said she allegedly brought the evidence to LegalMatch's board, but was fired instead, allegedly in retaliation
Uber, Lyft aware of sexual assaults by drivers vs female passengers, but not addressing the problems, new lawsuits say
Women who filed similar lawsuits in San Francisco court say companies failed to do enough to protect customers despite significant complaints over driver conduct
California appeals court says cities must actively set aside zoned land for 'affordable housing' or run afoul of state housing law
A California appeals court said Clovis must do more than 'not discriminate' in approving housing projects. The judges said they found it 'extremely unlikely' that Clovis is whiter and wealthier than Fresno without discriminating against housing stock affordable for low-income minority residents
Attorney General Rob Bonta denounces Texas Court Decision Suspending Approval of Mifepristone for Medication Abortion
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas’s ruling in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al. v. FDA et al
Environmental activists sue, demand PG&E close Diablo Canyon nuke plant, despite state power supply problems
Nuclear reactors generate no "greenhouse gas emissions," yet Friends of the Earth says PG&E must shutter the plant under the terms of a deal reached in 2016, allegedly to promote public safety and combat climate change
Fruit snacks ruling sweet for class action lawyers
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers can take joy in a recent ruling that allows their case over the ingredients in fruit snacks to move forward.
California Supreme Court announces Justice Goodwin H. Liu Elected Board Chair of American Academy of Arts and Sciences
California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin H. Liu has been elected as the next chair of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences’ Board of Directors, effective July 1.
Appeals court: Bird Rides must immediately retrieve e-scooters from sidewalks, or face ruinous 'public nuisance' lawsuits
A divided California state appeals panel says it doesn't matter if scooter rental company Bird Rides has abided by its city permits. If the scooter is left by anyone on a sidewalk, they could face a torrent of personal injury suits for allegedly causing a public nuisance
Coca-Cola accused of falsely marketing Minute Maid juice boxes as healthy
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Coca-Cola is facing a consumer class action lawsuit alleging it falsely labels its Minute Maid Juice Boxes as "good for you."
BakerHostetler announces Recognized as Top 30 Law Firm in BTI's Client Service A-Team 2023 Report
BakerHostetler is pleased to announce that it was once again named to the prestigious BTI Client Service 30.
New court ruling brings hope for gig workers stymied by AB5
Recent California appeals court ruling shows voters can successfully fight back against union-led efforts to kill rideshare companies like Uber and the larger gig economy in California, the Pacific Research Institute says
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP hosts Product Liability & Mass Torts Summit on April 11, 2023
Please join Faegre Drinker’s attorneys, presenting alongside seasoned corporate in-house counsel and judiciary members, as they present the 2023 Product Liability & Mass Tort Summit.
Ruling vs AB5 means judges should weigh lawmaker bias when deciding if anti-business laws are constitutional, lawyer says
A federal appeals panel ruled California’s AB 5 violates the Equal Protection Clause, as the court determined the law may illegally intentionally target certain kinds of contractors, like Uber drivers, while allowing exemptions for others, demonstrating 'animus' against ride-hailing companies by key Democratic state lawmakers
U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California announces U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey Hosts “Unite Against Hate” Forum To Connect Asian-American Pacific Islander Community Groups To Federal, State, And Local Law Enforcement
United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey hosted the first of several planned forums to combat unlawful acts of hate. U.S. Attorney Ramsey partnered with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) to organize the meeting arranged to build trust between law enforcement and nonprofit advocates and to create and strengthen coordination between government partners—including law enforcement—and community-based organizations.
Lawsuit says Splunk inflated value of company, gave out $39M compensation package
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A North Miami police officers and firefighters retirement plan alleges a data management company's intentional false statements led to a more than 20% stock decline and its economic damages.
Appeals panel: Jehovah's Witness should get chance to argue California Loyalty Oath violates her religious rights
A woman, who is an adherent of the Jehovah's Witnesses faith, says the state Controller's Office discriminated against her on the basis of religion, when it refused to hire her when she declined to sign a Loyalty Oath to the state she said would force her to violate her religious beliefs
Attorney General Rob Bonta announces Calls for End to ‘Outdated’ Blood Donation Policy That Stigmatizes LGBTQ Individuals
California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a 22-state coalition in support of the Biden Administration's new proposed policy that would make it easier for the LGBTQ population to donate blood and plasma.
Newsom launches new homelessness plans while on four-city tour in place of traditional State of State address
Newsom pledges to spend $1 billion more to address homelessness in California. But critics say the state cannot spend and build its way out of the homelessness epidemic gripping California