News from July 2023
CA Supreme Court ruling against liability expansion in “take-home” Covid cases a big win for CA employers
The California Supreme Court has ruled employers cannot be held liable in court if a worker passes COVID-19 to a member of their household, helping answer questions that arose at the outset of the pandemic, including what is the scope of responsibility for a company to stop a highly contagious virus from spreading.
Shook Adds First-Chair Trial Partner Jessica Grant
Shook welcomes Partner Jessica Grant to expand the firm’s first-chair trial bench.
The 2023 Labor & Employment Supreme Court Roundup: The Cases that Affect the Workplace on July 19, 2023
In the 2022-23 term, the Supreme Court has once again issued several landmark decisions that will affect the workplace and every American.
How to Avoid Big Start-Up Mistakes on July 20, 2023
Join Alidad Vakili, Of Counsel, for a discussion on how to avoid big start-up mistakes.
Split court says Chinese citizens may sue Cisco for allegedly helping Communists quash Falun Gong; Dissenting judge warns of 'serious' foreign policy ramifications
A divided federal court has ruled a California-based technology company, which allegedly helped Chinese Communists crack down on a religious group, can be sued for its alleged involvement in that persecution, but a dissenting judge cautioned such a suit could imperil already tense relations between China and the United States.
Federal judge orders major fee reduction for KLG in VW case, citing “subpar” performance, 'lavish' expenses
Attorneys seeking more than $600,000 in legal fees after they failed to secure a successful outcome for their clients have been reprimanded by a federal judge for assuming they still deserved a big payday after the plaintiffs netted far less than they sought.
Legal reform group alleges ethical violations - fake claimants - in mass arbitrations
A legal reform organization has written to The State Bar of California, calling for investigation of potential ethical violations in mass arbitrations, including possible use of fictitious, deceased or otherwise ineligible claimants in order to leverage higher settlements from businesses.
Legislation threatens California businesses with big new risk from website, app accessibility lawsuits
A new bill that could mean another record filing of California lawsuits on website accessibility is now under consideration by Sacramento lawmakers, following a “gut-and-amend” process that let it replace a different bill that had already been through required legislative channels.
Closing arguments heard in man’s lawsuit over toxic baby powder; Verdict delayed
In a Northern California trial to decide if Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused a man's mesothelioma a jury verdict in the six-week-long case has been delayed
Appeals panel allows parents to sue Google, content creators over YouTube ads for kids' products
Ninth Circuit ruling holds lawsuits under state laws are not always preempted by federal laws prohibiting the same conduct
Class action: Pop Secret microwave popcorn contains high levels of PFAS
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A class action alleges Pop Secret microwave popcorn contains high levels of chemicals known as PFAS.
Contra Costa Superior Court: Actions Taken on July 11
The Contra Costa Superior Court reported the following activity on July 11 in the suits below:
July 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 July 11. All case details are allegations only and should not be taken as fact:
ChatGPT users' lawsuit warns of AI's 'catastrophic risk to humanity'
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Microsoft and others are facing a class action from ChatGPT users alleging illegal use of private information for their AI technology.
IBM, other employers must reimburse employees' Covid-related work-from-home expenses
A state appeals court has ruled a California state law requiring employers to pay their employees' work-related expenses wasn't negated by Gov. Newsom's 2020 Covid lockdown orders
July 10: 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 July 10. All case details are allegations only and should not be taken as fact:
Contra Costa Superior Court: Actions Taken on July 10
The Contra Costa Superior Court reported the following activity on July 10 in the suits below:
Reed Smith announces Paul Pitts named on Daily Journal list of top health care lawyers in California
Paul Pitts, a partner in Reed Smith's Life Sciences Health Industry Group, has been selected by the Daily Journal for its 2023 list of Top Health Care Lawyers.
Foley & Lardner LLP hosts Biotech and Early-Stage Funding Webinar with 4thly on July 12, 2023
Save the date and join us Wednesday, July 12, at 11 a.m. PDT for a special live-stream webinar for startup founders and investors where we will be speaking on biotech and early-stage funding.
Appeals panel says police didn't violate law in detaining parents to learn location of student who threatened to 'shoot up' school
But Ninth Circuit ruling overturns lower court judgment that officers didn't use excessive force when they subdued unarmed father upon arriving at family home of student who made shooting threat