News from December 2023
Judge again rejects consumer lawsuit trying to shut down Kroger-Albertsons merger
A federal judge said the consumers still haven't demonstrated how exactly they will be harmed by the $24B merger of the country's No. 1 and No. 2 supermarket chains. Action by the FTC could come in mid-January, per court filings
This Holiday Season, Attorney General Bonta Issues Charity Consumer Alert, Volunteers with Family Connections Centers
In San Francisco, California Attorney General Rob Bonta volunteered with Family Connections Centers and shared tips and resources on how Californians can donate safely and avoid scams this holiday season.
IBM sales rep sues his employer for allegedly capping his commissions
IBM sales representative, Kami Nazem, has filed a lawsuit against his employer accusing the tech giant of illegally capping his commissions.
Class action: Avia Games says users are playing vs other humans, but really facing ringer 'bots'
Online gaming company AviaGames, Inc. has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that it misled players into believing they were competing against other humans when in fact they were playing against computer bots. The plaintiffs, Andrew Pandolfi and Mandi Shawcroft, argue that this practice manipulates the games of skill into games of chance, effectively running an unapproved gambling enterprise.
Climate change plaintiff drops case after being told to continue in federal court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Rather than continue in a federal court, a fishermen's group suing Big Oil over climate change would prefer to drop the matter entirely.
Attorney General Bonta Files Lawsuits Against Two California Online E-Cigarette Retailers for Violating State and Federal Laws
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed lawsuits against two California online retailers of e-cigarettes, Ejuicesteals and E-juice Vapor, Inc., in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Central Districts of California.
Enviros can't undo California rule intended to lessen electric bill pain for most customers
A state appeals panel says it won't second-guess a state commission's decision to reduce the amount paid to homeowners with solar power systems to hold down bills for all other customers who had been paying more to pay for others' home solar arrays
SEC sues crypto broker Kraken, accusing the firm of running illegal securities operation
The SEC has lodged a lawsuit against cryptocurrency broker Kraken, also known as Payward Inc. and Payward Ventures Inc. The SEC alleges that Kraken has been illegally selling unregistered securities and abusing investor assets.
Widow of man who died in fall from SF rooftop patio sues building owner for not protecting 'visibly intoxicated' man
The widow of a man who fell to his death from a rooftop patio in 2021 has filed a lawsuit against the security guard and the property owner. The suit alleges that they should have done more to remove her husband from the rooftop due to his visibly intoxicated state on the night of the incident.
Shook Launches New Video Series Giving Insight to Attorney Life Outside Law
Shook has launched a new video series offering a unique glimpse into the lives of the firm’s attorneys.
Contra Costa Superior Court: Actions Taken on Dec. 12
The Contra Costa Superior Court reported the following activity on Dec. 12 in the suits below:
Google to pay $700M to end Google Play store class actions; Lawyers to get up to $128M, states get $70M
The lawsuits accused Google of monopolizing control of the Android smartphone operating system and environment. About 71 million consumers could see $2-$7 each in refunds from the deal
Dec. 12: Contra Costa Superior Court docket for "fl" cases
The following cases categorized as "fl" were on the docket in the Contra Costa Superior Court on Dec. 12. All case details are allegations only and should not be taken as fact:
Financial Times Ranks Troutman Pepper Among Top 25 Innovative Firms
Troutman Pepper has been recognized as one of the industry’s most innovative law firms in the Financial Times’ (FT) 2023 North America Innovative Lawyers report, securing a spot in the top 25 of the FT law firm index – North America.
Appeals court to revisit decision that would have allowed Uber, drivers challenge anti-gig economy law AB5
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order indicating the full court would review the earlier decision of a three-judge panel that called out California Democratic lawmakers for appearing to craft AB5 to punish Uber and other app-based ridesharing and food delivery companies at the bidding of union allies
Dec. 11: Contra Costa Superior Court docket for "fl" cases
The following cases categorized as "fl" were on the docket in the Contra Costa Superior Court on Dec. 11. All case details are allegations only and should not be taken as fact:
Contra Costa Superior Court: Actions Taken on Dec. 11
The Contra Costa Superior Court reported the following activity on Dec. 11 in the suits below:
Proposed Amended Conflict of Interest Code for Designated Employees of the Supreme Court of California
The Political Reform Act of 1974 (Gov. Code, § 81000 et seq.) requires public agencies to adopt conflict of interest codes for their officers and employees. (Gov. Code, § 87300.)
Ninth Circuit says California State Bar is arm of the state, and is shielded from discrimination lawsuit
Mountain View disability attorney alleged the California State Bar had violated disability law by declining to provide him with test-taking accommodations.
Lawsuit says energy drinks have preservatives, despite advertising
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — The maker of Rowdy energy drinks faces a class action lawsuit alleging it wrongly promotes its products as preservative-free.