News from July 2024
Former Employee Accused by Tech Company of Misappropriating Trade Secrets
Champ Systems has won a lawsuit against former employee Stewart Fines for misappropriating trade secrets and breaching loyalty duties while still employed at the company. The court awarded $122K in damages but denied punitive damages due to lack of malicious intent.
Plaintiffs Allege Negligence Leading to COVID-19 Deaths at Nursing Facility
Family members have filed a lawsuit against Windsor Redding Care Center following multiple COVID-19 related deaths at the facility in 2020. The plaintiffs allege elder abuse and negligence among other charges while seeking damages for their losses.
Sheppard Mullin Attorneys Named 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Eleven Sheppard Mullin attorneys were named 2024 "Northern California Super Lawyers” by Super Lawyers.
Non-criminal DUI records aren't protected by California's right to privacy, appeals court says
A California state appeals panel has ruled that privacy rights established under the California state constitution and the state's labor laws don't stop the DMV from disclosing information about DUI-related license suspensions to employers, insurers and others
San Francisco Cyclist Sues Delivery Van Operators Over Negligence
A San Francisco cyclist has filed a lawsuit against three individuals after sustaining severe injuries from colliding with a delivery van door opened negligently while riding his bike last year. The plaintiff seeks both economic and non-economic damages along with additional relief from the court.
Business Partner Accuses Co-Founder of Fraudulent Misrepresentation
A recent case sees Shihadeh K. Kitami accusing his former business partner Waleed Sabrah of fraudulent misrepresentation related to their fast-food restaurant venture. The Marin County court upheld a default judgment awarding Kitami approximately $33k after finding substantial evidence supporting claims of conversion & breach-of-contract among others.
California Resident Sues State Over Alleged Misconduct by Office of Tax Appeals
Sivatharan Natkunanathan’s lawsuit against California seeking $45 billion in damages has been dismissed due to procedural errors and insufficient evidence. Representing himself, he alleged violations under taxpayer protection laws but failed at multiple judicial levels.
Plaintiffs challenge City Council over disputed commercial kitchen zoning
San Pablo Avenue Golden Gate Improvement Association is suing Oakland's City Council over a controversial zoning decision allowing CloudKitchens' facility in an HBX-1 zone classified as light manufacturing.
Former Teacher Sues California Credentialing Commission Over Revoked License
Protus Nkwana Taniform continues his legal battle against the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing after multiple denials to reinstate his teaching credential following allegations involving misuse of credentials by an unqualified individual.
Locke Lord San Francisco Partner Lindsey Kress Named to Super Lawyers® 2024 Northern California Rising Stars List
Lindsey Kress, based in Locke Lord’s San Francisco office, has been named to the Super Lawyers® 2024 Northern California Rising Stars list.
Appeals court: Federal law that doesn't allow food labeling suits doesn't stop class actions under identical CA state law
The ruling will allow a class action lawsuit to proceed vs baby food maker Sprout Foods under California's Sherman Law, even though the state law merely copies a federal food labeling law that doesn't allow such class actions. The company and a dissenting judge said it amounts to a sidestep of Congress
Reed Smith highlighted in N. California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists
Eight lawyers from Reed Smith offices in San Francisco and Palo Alto were selected for inclusion in the 2024 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists published by Super Lawyers, a research branch of Thomson Reuters.
Disney can't end antitrust suit over streaming TV price hikes
A SF federal judge said plaintiffs had done enough to back their claims Disney used its ownership of Hulu and ESPN to force streaming TV services to boost prices to maintain Disney profits at levels earned through cable and satellite TV before 'cord cutting' era
Lawsuit claims chemical in toothpaste that kids swallow
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit says the maker of a kids swallowable toothpaste neglects to mention the presence of chemicals known as PFAS.
Regulators Must Clear the Runway for U.S. Clean Hydrogen to Take Off - Report Finds
Greater clarity on tax credits and a commitment to rigorous rules on certification are two critical components in the effort to make clean hydrogen a viable and productive force in the U.S. energy mix, a new industry report from U.S. law firm Troutman Pepper has found.