Reform News
Reform
California’s small businesses report strain amid rising lawsuit abuse and skyrocketing insurance rates
As auto insurance premiums climb in California, small business owners are voicing concerns over a legal environment they say is driving up costs and threatening their livelihoods.
Reform
Critics blame California’s rising auto insurance costs on legal system abuse
Auto insurance rates are rising sharply in California, and critics are pointing fingers at the state's legal system as a major contributor to the increase.
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Reform
Institute for legal reform calls for tighter oversight on third-party litigation funding
Last August, the Institute for Legal Reform released a white paper highlighting concerns about Third-Party Litigation Funding (TPLF), a practice where outside entities finance lawsuits in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.
Reform
Biz groups, Dems announce deal to reform law that spawned thousands of 'shakedown' suits vs employers
Under the deal to reform the Private Attorney General Act, a coalition of business groups would agree to withdraw a ballot measure that would have largely gutted PAGA. Reports showed PAGA generated lawsuits worth $10B in payouts from employers in the past 10 years, with big money for lawyers, little real benefit for workers
Reform
Reform California joins coalition to support measure that would repeal PAGA
Reform California Chairman Carl DeMaio and a coalition of small business and worker advocates are supporting the Fair Pay and Employer Accountability Act. The state measure aims to repeal the Private Attorney Generals Act (PAGA).
Reform
Lawsuit: California telehealth doctor licensing rules unconstitutionally block patients from 'lifesaving' care
The Pacific Legal Foundation, a successful nonprofit constitutional law organization, has filed suit against the California Medical Board on behalf of a patient with a rare hemophilia condition and a prominent New York cancer specialist, asserting California's restrictions on out-of-state telehealth are unconstitutional
Reform
'De facto invisible': High costs, state rules, lack of online access can block public from monitoring 'public' court proceedings
A settlement has resolved a class action vs federal courts over fees charged to access online court documents. But high costs for certain records and varying court rules about public access to court records in Illinois and elsewhere create a legal patchwork that mostly limits public view into the courts
Reform
Placer County can't use political speech law to ditch retaliation lawsuit from demoted ex-interim D.A.
Ex-Placer County Interim D.A. Jennifer Miszkewycz claimed was demoted in retaliation for cooperating with an Attorney General's investigation of a county board member
Reform
Cal Supreme Court OKs new ethics rules to fight conflicts of interest
Newly issued rules from the California Supreme Court are designed to combat corruption and to prevent conflicts of interest like those resulting from the Thomas Girardi scandal.
Reform
Rampant PAGA, Prop 65 lawsuits land California courts high on list of worst U.S. 'Judicial Hellholes'
The report issued by the American Tort Reform Association says California ranks third on the annual list, thanks to its continued status as lawyers' 'laboratory' for innovative ways to increase businesses' lawsuit risk
Reform
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.
Reform
New scorecard rates lawmakers’ work to address equity in California’s civil justice system
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has released a new scorecard on legislators’ recent efforts to foster parity and balance in the state’s civil court procedures, by gauging how each one voted on bills involving liability and litigation.
Reform
California ranks again among the top judicial hellholes
This year, the Golden State landed in 3rd place after Georgia and The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Reform
Following state appellate ruling involving ADA claims, further relief urged at federal level
With the state Supreme Court declining review of an ADA (Americans with Disabilities) Act case involving website accessibility, an appellate decision on application of California’s Unruh Act will function as precedent, although it doesn’t guard against repeat ADA claims for businesses with physical locations.
Reform
New mandates add to complex California litigation landscape
With more difficult economic news across the state and nation, there is growing concern about new California mandates increasing the cost and difficulty of doing business here.
Reform
California regulators set to consider new Proposition 65 labels
As California environmental regulators prepare to review Proposition 65 additions, concerns persist about the impact of such labels on items without clear evidence they are harmful, and the torrent of related litigation that threatens to shut down businesses.
Reform
ATRA: More than $34 million was spent on lawyer ads in top media markets statewide
Study: Californians are exposed to more legal services commercials on television than to restaurants and furniture store promotions
Reform
After SCOTUS ruling for Viking, California Supremes to review arbitration questions
The California Supreme Court has granted review in an arbitration case that is expected to show how the state judiciary interprets the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in in Viking v. Moriana, which found lawsuits brought under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) are subject to federal arbitration rules.
Reform
SCOTUS rules 8-1 that federal law preempts California’s PAGA arbitration rules
The U.S. Supreme Court in a near-unanimous decision in Viking v. Moriana has agreed that claims brought under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) can be compelled to arbitration.
Reform
Lawmakers asked to consider bill addressing excessive ADA litigation against small businesses
Pending legislation is bringing increased attention to frivolous ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) lawsuits and the impact on small businesses.