News from March 2024
Excessive litigation contributes to California’s high cost of living
California, known for its high cost of living, also has the highest poverty rate in the nation. A significant factor contributing to these high costs is a large volume of litigation, which escalates insurance costs for policyholders.
Prop E appears poised to pass, giving police more ability to fight crime in SF
The ballot measure would loosen restrictions on officers' ability to pursue criminal suspects; allow for police leadership to have a greater say in future policy changes; and enable police to use tech, including drones and surveillance cameras, to patrol in high-crime areas.
Insurance, inflation impose regressive tax increase on Californians
A recent report from Insurify reveals that car insurance costs, after surging by 24% last year, are projected to increase by another 7% in 2024. This escalating cost of car insurance is outstripping inflation and is particularly burdensome for low-income drivers.
Objectors to Sacramento marijuana shop owner residency rule win chance to press constitutional claims
A federal appeals panel ruled that a federal district judge had wrongly attempted to duck the thorny constitutional questions by citing the deep conflict between federal and California state marijuana laws
Lime bike and scooter rental app operators accused in class action of improperly dinging customer debit, credit cards
The lawsuit asserts Neutron Holdings has allegedly charged customers with unauthorized recurring fees, allegedly in violation of federal and California laws.
Ex-Twitter execs sue Musk over severance they say he improperly denied after ousting them
Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and other former top Twitter executives say Musk has illegally withheld $200 million in severance benefits from them out of revenge
Low-income Californians hurt by rising car insurance costs
A recent report by the Insurance Information Institute (III) suggests that excessive litigation is driving up car insurance costs for consumers. Low-income and minority Californians are particularly affected by these rising prices.
CA Supreme Court says car buyers can demand to keep trade-in credits under 'lemon law' verdicts
Automaker Stellantis/FCA had argued such a ruling would essentially allow car buyers to profit when they buy defective cars, trade them in toward the purchase of other vehicles, and then sue under the lemon law for a full refund.
Clients Nominate 61 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys to Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers Program
Clients of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP have nominated 61 attorneys to the Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers list, the results of its Sharplegal study.
San Francisco Juneteenth organization sues AAACC over allegedly withheld grant money owed to them
The lawsuit marks a low point in the relationship between the two organizations, which formerly partnered to produce San Francisco's Juneteenth celebration.
Class action targets Rodan+Fields for allegedly misclassifying online sales consultants as independent contractors
The lawsuit claims the MLM skincare seller should be paying and treating its salesforce as employees, not MLM contractors.
Years of Litigation in High-Profile Defamation Case End with Favorable Result
A BakerHostetler trial team achieved a significant victory in D.C. Superior Court on Feb. 8, 2024, following a nearly four-week jury trial for a defamation case that has garnered substantial media coverage.
Private Debt Investor Awards 2023
Kirkland & Ellis won the following awards at the 2023 Private Debt Investor (PDI) Awards.
Musk sues Altman, OpenAI, in legal fight over future of AI now allegedly under Microsoft's control
The lawsuit asserts Altman and Microsoft teamed up to seize control of OpenAI, which Musk asserts is contractually bound to only develop AI tech that is open to the public and is "for the good of humanity."
Workplace class action filed vs KQED by same lawyers, plaintiffs behind earlier PAGA suit
The lawsuit accuses KQED of allegedly failing to pay minimum wages and overtime wages, among other allegations.