News from March 2023
Consumer Protection Week - Public Trust Liaison Seeks to Help Public Avoid Legal Fraud
National Consumer Protection Week, the State Bar of California’s Public Trust Liaison (El Intermediario de Confianza Públicas) Enrique Zuniga seeks to create awareness about how the public can avoid legal fraud and scams, saving time, money, and―in some cases―preventing irreparable harm.
State senator introduces bill to regulate third-party 'loan sharks' in litigation financing
A California tort reform group has expressed support for a state Senate bill that aims to protect consumers and the state’s justice system from problems arising from the third-party financing of civil lawsuits.
Facebook Live doesn't violate Video Privacy Protection Act, judge rules
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Facebook's parent company has won dismissal of a proposed class action lawsuit that claims Facebook Live violates the Video Privacy Protection Act.
Attorney General Bonta Leads Coalition of 21 States in Fight to Protect Retirement Savings of American Employees
California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a multistate coalition in fighting back against a legislative effort to overturn a federal rule that helps protect the retirement savings of hard-working American employees.
Suit: Chip labels have incorrect amount of protein
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A class action against Brad's Raw Chips claims its product label has the incorrect amount of protein per serving.
Bindle faces class action over presence of lead, BPA in bottles
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer has initiated a consumer class action over Bindle Bottles allegedly containing lead and BPA.
Sheppard Mullin Recognized in World Trademark Review's 2023 WTR 1000
World Trademark Review’s 2023 edition of WTR 1000, the definitive guide to identifying the world’s leading trademark professionals, has recognized Sheppard Mullin among the best trademark practices nationally and regionally in California (for enforcement and litigation and prosecution and strategy) and in New York (for enforcement and litigation).
Consumer class action targets snack product over 'preservative free' label
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A consumer class action lawsuit against Arizona Beverages claims its snack products are falsely labeled as preservative-free.
Chronicle wants $80K from Shahid Buttar after failed defamation lawsuit
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - The publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle wants a failed Congressional candidate who sued it for defamation to pay its attorneys fees.
Attorney General Bonta, Governor Newsom and CPPA File Letter Opposing Federal Privacy Preemption
Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) sent a joint letter to Congress opposing preemption language in H.R. 8152, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA).
Legislation introduced to revise Prop 47 to address rising crime in San Francisco, other California cities
With burglary and other theft crimes still on par with last year in San Francisco and many other locales, new legislation to overturn Proposition 47, the California law that lessens penalties for criminal violations, is scheduled for a hearing this week.
Twitter again wants dismissal of class action over sale of contact information
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Twitter is again asking a San Francisco federal court to toss a class action lawsuit over the sale of its users' information.
Troutman Pepper Attorneys Recognized as Leading Trademark Professionals in 2023 World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000
Troutman Pepper and five partners have been recognized among the world’s leading national and international trademark practitioners in the World Trademark Review’s 2023 edition of the WTR 1000.
Appeals court: Employees can't get around workplace arbitration agreements by claiming they don't remember signing them
Amid a host of recent court decisions on arbitration, a state appeals panel has found that claiming not to recall signing an arbitration agreement doesn't stand up in court.
Scuba and Snorkeling Center hit with Prop 65 lawsuits over dry boxes allegedly containing BPA
Such lawsuits targeting an array of businesses under California's controversial Prop 65 continue to generate many millions of dollars in fees for trial lawyers
Anthony Guzman Re-elected as BASF Barristers Club Board of Directors’ Diversity Director
Anthony E. Guzman II, an associate in global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s Labor & Employment Practice in San Francisco, was re-elected for a second year as the Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Barristers Club Board of Directors’ Diversity Director.
SF property owners sue to invalidate city's 'vacancy tax' measure
Several San Francisco property owners have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the recently passed Proposition M, which requires landlords to pay a tax on units left vacant for more than 182 days in a single year.
Benesch Continues San Francisco Growth with Addition of Meegan Brooks as Partner
Benesch is building out its Retail & E-Commerce Group with the addition of trial lawyer Meegan Brooks as a Partner, effective February 23.
Reed Smith appoints firm’s first sustainability partners
Reed Smith today announced the appointment of three partners to help drive progress toward the firm’s sustainability goals. Todd Maiden, Jennifer Smokelin and Elle Todd will serve as the firm’s first sustainability partners.
NCAA challenges volunteer baseball coaches' lawsuit
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - An antitrust lawsuit against it targets a "commonsense" rule limiting the amount of paid coaches baseball teams can have, the NCAA says.