News from March 2023
California appeals court decision upholding Prop 22 improves lives of Cal gig workers, consumers, attorney says
A state appeals panel recently ruled voter initiative known as Prop 22, which allows gig workers to remain classified as independent contractors under California state law, is constitutional. The case could still go to the California state Supreme Court
Attorney General Bonta Issues New Guidance To Protect Elders and Dependent Adults from Abuse
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced issuing new guidance on the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters in safeguarding some of the most vulnerable members of our communities — elders and dependent adults.
Judge OKs $725M Facebook data privacy settlement; Attorneys could ask for $181M
The settlement documents don't yet indicate how much money individual U.S. Facebook users may expect from the deal, but it could be less than $10 each
Advocacy group members claim California's knife ban unconstitutional
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — Members of a "knife rights" advocacy group are claiming California's ban on automatically opening knives violates their Second Amendment rights.
California school district claims TikTok, YouTube, others causing youth mental health crisis
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A California school board is suing YouTube, TikTok and other social media claiming their platforms have caused a mental health crisis among youths.
Fighting Forever Chemicals: USEPA Proposes the First Enforceable Nationwide Primary Drinking Water Standards for PFAS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a proposed rulemaking that would establish legally enforceable federal primary Maximum Contaminant Levels (“MCLs”) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
Lawsuit takes aim at TJ Maxx, maker of Vanderbilt bath mats under Prop 65
The lawsuit asserts the companies haven't placed proper labels on the bathmats to warn consumers that the bathmats may contain a compound known as DEHP, which the state says can cause cancer and harm to the human reproductive systems.
Johnson & Johnson stuck with $344 million California judgment
Johnson & Johnson has no further avenues for challenging a $344 million judgment in California after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the case, which J&J and other said was based upon an unconstitutionally vague consumer-protection status.
Buchalter Named a Leopard Law Firm Index Top 100 Law Firm in 2022
Buchalter has been named within the 2022 Leopard Law Firm Index (LLFI) top 100 law firms by legal intelligence provider Leopard Solutions.
Divided court says California public health agency has 'latitude' in setting safe chemical levels in drinking water beyond what scientists say is needed
In a 2-1 decision, a California appeals panel says state public health regulators can set any standard for water contaminants in the name of public health, so long as there may exist "foreseeable adverse health effects." Business groups said the language of the law limits regulators to a scientifically determined safe level
Failed Congressional candidate appeals defamation loss in case against Chronicle
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Democrat Shahid Buttar, an attorney and civil rights advocate, will appeal the loss of his defamation lawsuit over 2020 articles in the San Francisco Chronicle that followed sexual harassment allegations.
Greenberg Traurig Launches State & Local Tax Podcast ‘GeTtin’ SALTy’
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP launched its newest podcast, GeTtin’ SALTy, focusing on state and local tax policy, legislative, regulatory, and litigation updates.
New class action accuses Twitter of improperly sharing user account info with advertisers
The lawsuit asserts Twitter allegedly persuaded users to share phone numbers and email addresses with Twitter to aid in account security. Instead, the complaint claims Twitter allowed advertisers to use that information to tailor ads to target users and boost profits
Attorney General Bonta: Court Rightfully Denied Huntington Beach’s Latest Attempt to Exempt Itself from State Housing Laws
California Attorney General Rob Bonta applauded the decision by the United States District Court for the Central District of California denying the city of Huntington Beach’s request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in Huntington Beach v. Newsom, which attempted to halt enforcement of state housing laws in the city while litigation is ongoing.
SF City Attorney sues makers of workplace workers' rights posters, says companies misleading biz owners
The lawsuit accuses two companies of "bait-and-switch" tactics, and impersonating government agencies to persuade business owners to purchase their allegedly legally required posters to hang in their workplaces
Attorney General Bonta: Credit Card Companies Should Honor Their Pledge to Protect Public Safety
California Attorney General Rob Bonta , as part of a multistate coalition of 14 attorneys general, sent a letter to Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express demanding the credit card companies honor their pledges to adopt and use a new merchant category code (MCC) for firearms.
Class action claims Airbnb wrongly stashes customer deposits in interest-bearing escrow accounts
The lawsuit asserts Airbnb's actions have violated California law
Attorney General Bonta Warns Against Illegal Price Gouging Following Expanded Storm Relief
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert following the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency amidst the ongoing series of storms hammering the state since late February.
California lawmakers Jones, Grayson honored for leadership in civil justice policy
The Civil Justice Association of California has named the 2023 recipients of the Civil Justice Gavel Award, which recognizes legislators with a record of working on balance and equity in California’s legal system.
Customers allege Simplisafe auto-renews subscription without consent
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — Simplisafe is facing a class action over its automatic renewal of subscriptions allegedly without customers' consent.