GUEST COLUMNS
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The IRS and California FTB have extended tax deadlines and Section 1031 exchange periods to October 15, 2025, providing relief to Los Angeles County residents and businesses impacted by devastating wildfires.
Aerial firefighting, combining air tankers, helicopters, and tactical aircraft, is a critical yet dangerous endeavor often disrupted by illegal drone activity, which jeopardizes firefighting efforts, endangers lives, and underscores the importance of strict adherence to FAA regulations.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
In the wake of the Southern California wildfires, property owners filing insurance claims should know California laws offer expanded coverage options, including combined dwelling/structure limits, relaxed personal property documentation, extended loss-of-use benefits, and protection against policy cancellations, with state and federal aid available for those uninsured or underinsured.
With financial fraud on the rise, consumers and legislators are expecting more from banks.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court heard L.W. v. Skrmetti on
Dec. 4, challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming hormone therapy for
minors, part of a broader wave of anti-transgender laws since 2021 aiming to
restrict trans rights.
In the recent cases of Shayan and Saraye,
California courts addressed the application of laches and statute of
limitations in family law, clarifying that while money judgments for attorney
fees are enforceable without renewal, laches may apply to child support
reimbursements if pursued too late.
Monday, January 13, 2025
In 2024, the California Supreme Court clarified key insurance law issues, rejecting COVID-19 property damage claims, addressing continuous injury coverage, and reinforcing rules on ambiguity and policyholder expectations.
Friday, January 10, 2025
The California Court of Appeal's Leeper
decision empowers employers to compel arbitration of individual PAGA claims,
even in cases seeking only non-individual penalties, streamlining PAGA
litigation.
The Supreme Court's denial of petitions keeps the California Clean Air Act waiver intact, but California's vehicle regulation journey is about to get bumpier.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Proposition 65 updates, which went into effect Jan. 1, require naming chemicals in warnings, clarifying online and food labeling, add vehicle parts guidelines, and give businesses three years to comply.
California's Senate Bill 940 expands arbitration discovery rights, requires more consumer protections, and may reduce the cost-effectiveness of arbitration, prompting businesses to reconsider its use for dispute resolution.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
California's new 2025 legislation reforms summary judgment deadlines, unlawful detainer procedures, and triple net expense protections for "qualified commercial tenants."
When California state Sen. Scott Wiener introduced the nation's most ambitious AI safety bill last year, it became a flashpoint in the debate over how to govern artificial intelligence.
In Hernandez v. City of Stockton, the
California Court of Appeal ruled that a pedestrian's lawsuit was barred because
his government claim, which cited an "uplifted sidewalk," did not match the
actual condition--a hole from an empty tree well--highlighting the need for
precise claims against public entities.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Taking a cue from Edward Bulwer-Lytton's much maligned opening sentence, your columnist is on the hunt for legal submissions that stand out for all the wrong reasons, with prizes for the best submissions.
As we advance college athletes' compensation rights, we must protect our players from exploitative pay-for-play schemes that threaten their careers in this evolving NIL landscape.
Monday, January 6, 2025
Seasoned attorneys can bring out the best in their baby lawyers with these tips for understanding and guiding them through that overwhelming first year.
California law offers military and mental health diversion programs to help veterans accused of crimes access rehabilitation instead of prosecution, with recent expansions allowing felony-level military diversion starting Jan. 1, 2025.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. and Turkey, both seasoned practitioners of "back channel" diplomacy, achieved a remarkable diplomatic feat with the release of American hostages held in Russia. Yet, it seems the world remains largely unaware--or indifferent--to the achievement.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
California's Racial Justice Act aims to eliminate racism from criminal courts, but recent judicial bias cases reveal the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures.
When attorneys scored a complete victory against Elon Musk's $56 billion Tesla pay package, Chancellor McCormick faced a novel challenge: how to award fees that would reward the win while avoiding an unprecedented windfall.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, California's SB 399 will ban employers from penalizing workers for skipping meetings on political or religious views, expanding protections beyond union discussions to prevent coercion and safeguard workers' rights.
As Trump eyes extending his 2017 tax cuts, a $35 trillion national debt and mounting social costs pose critical challenges, creating a tension between his tax reduction goals and our nation's pressing needs.
Monday, December 30, 2024
A Trump-Musk administration may end federal EV tax credits and emission regulations while California imposes stricter oversight of autonomous vehicles, creating jurisdictional conflicts over electric car policy in 2025.
California's new Corporate Climate Data Accountability Act mandates large businesses to report Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2027, pushing companies toward greater environmental transparency and supply chain collaboration.
Friday, December 27, 2024
The federal government often avoids taking
responsibility for actions that affect property owners, leading to prolonged
litigation. A recent case, Ideker Farms, LLC. v. United States,
highlights this issue
President-elect Donald Trump's recent interest in purchasing Greenland, met with mockery and Denmark's refusal to sell, has spurred speculation about possible U.S. annexation, with legal experts citing historical precedents and military considerations as potential justification despite anticipated legal and cultural challenges.
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The 2024-2025 Supreme Court term will tackle key intellectual property cases, including issues of personal jurisdiction in patent disputes, trademark infringement damages, regulatory safe harbor for patented activities, and Federal Circuit procedures.
The 5th Circuit found that the diversity rules were not a disclosure requirement but a public-shaming penalty, and concluded that the rules were unrelated to the purposes of the Exchange Act.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
The California Court of Appeals upheld a summary judgment in favor of a shopping center and its janitorial service, ruling that their regular inspections, including one just 8-9 minutes before the incident, were sufficient to meet their duty of care and there was no evidence of notice of the hazard.
Year-end is a stressful period with significant tax considerations, especially for law firms and individuals operating on a calendar year basis.
Monday, December 23, 2024
The Federal Communications Commission moved to permanently block calls from 2400 carriers that failed to tackle robocalls.
As smart contract adoption grows, arbitration provides an effective mechanism for resolving related disputes, aligning with the needs of modern digital commerce.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Franz Kafka's work, shaped by his legal background, offers timeless lessons for lawyers and judges, urging us to avoid the Kafkaesque--an opaque, irrational, and bureaucratic legal system that alienates and confuses those it is meant to serve.
A legal battle in Sacramento over a 500-foot radio tower pits CapRadio, claiming ownership based on a 1990 agreement, against KVIE, which argues the agreement expired. The outcome could impact both broadcasters' finances and the importance of clear wireless lease terms.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
While President-elect Trump has not specifically commented on corporate crime, there is speculation that DOJ programs like whistleblower rewards might be revised or removed, whereas longstanding corporate compliance and enforcement policies may remain largely unchanged.
California's 2025 ADR certification may mislead consumers about competence, exclude skilled solo practitioners, and create confusion by focusing on ethical standards without assessing expertise.
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
ABC News' $15 million settlement of a weak defamation suit with Donald Trump, coupled with an apology, undermines press freedom, emboldens frivolous lawsuits, and perpetuates the troubling notion that Trump operates above the rule of law.
Addressing the crisis of excessive and unconstitutional sentences requires systemic reform and proper funding for legal representation to ensure post-conviction relief becomes a reality, not an exception.
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Preparation is key to success in mediation, just as it is in trial, requiring thorough briefing, pre-mediation conferences, client readiness, and creative solutions to achieve favorable and lasting outcomes.
The California Supreme Court's decision in Quach
v. California Commerce Club (2024) eliminated the decades-old
arbitration-specific burden requiring proof of prejudice for waiver, aligning
arbitration agreements with standard contract principles and placing the focus
solely on whether the party seeking to compel arbitration knowingly and
intentionally relinquished their right.
The hills burn above houses during the Palisades Fire in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 11.(New York Times Company)
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NEWS
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| California Attorney General Rob Bonta is appealing an Orange County judge's ruling that upheld Huntington Beach's voter ID measure, arguing it conflicts with state election laws. The legal battle over voter ID requirements continues, raising questions about municipal authority and voter access. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| In the aftermath of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, several attorneys affected by the destruction are spearheading legal efforts to help their neighbors and communities recover. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| The steps nominees and prospective nominees take after a president-elect chooses them for a post and before they can be confirmed. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| An eviction moratorium like that enacted during the Covid-19 pandemic is one of the measures being suggested as reports emerge of rental price gouging in the week following the fires. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| Ex-Mayor Constance Boardman and former Planning Commissioner Mark Bixby want to nullify a controversial settlement between Huntington Beach and Pacific Airshow LLC, alleging it constitutes an unlawful gift of public funds. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| At the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, Earth finished up its hottest year in recorded history, scientists said. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| The firm, which entered the market just last year, has already grown to a team of 15 lawyers and recently secured a new office in Irvine, designed to accommodate up to 30. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| Attorneys say the approach in AB 226 might represent the best choice among a set of bad options. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| When a crisis most tests our faith and confidence, do we trust bonds of community, and can we rely on the arms of government to protect us? | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| Common Living, which paired up roommates, filed for bankruptcy protection following the pandemic. | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| Personal finance courses, offered mostly as electives, are sprouting up at public and private colleges nationwide and getting a boost from a new initiative by Stanford University. | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Michelle Williams Court scheduled the hearing for Jan. 17. | |
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General News
Friday, January 10, 2025 |
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| Vaughn joined Procopio from Stowell, Zeilenga, Ruth, Vaughn & Treiger LLP, where he was a founding partner. | |
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General News
Friday, January 10, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge dismissed privacy invasion claims against Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP for a 2022 data breach, citing lack of evidence of intentional disclosure or special relationship. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| Just a week into 2025, the media industry got its first consequential transaction: The Walt Disney Co. is buying 70% of Fubo, the video service that had sued to block the media giant's plan to create Venu, a sports streaming joint venture with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| Last year, a jury found MGA infringed on $17.8 million worth of trade dress counterclaims brought by the OMG Girlz, rapper Clifford "T.I." Harris and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Harris. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| Founding partner Daniel C. Girard announced he was stepping down from leadership at the consumer class action law firm. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 |
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| The class action lawsuit claims the company engages in "drip pricing" and false advertising, misleading customers about delivery fees. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 |
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| The court rejected the city's claims of confidentiality. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has plenty to be proud of in her first two years as the chief executive of the largest city in the largest state in America. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| A doctor pleaded guilty to a workers' compensation fraud scheme in federal court in Orange County. The doctor has said a sitting judge conspired with him, using his name to run a medical group. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| Boeing partially won its dispute with the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board over chemical discharge limits at its Ventura lab. A Los Angeles judge remanded two requirements for further evidence. | |
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General News
Monday, January 6, 2025 |
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| Following the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds by the former county supervisor, state lawmakers and county officials have introduced reforms to strengthen ethics, transparency and accountability in government contracting and discretionary fund management. | |
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General News
Friday, January 3, 2025 |
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| The judge said the putative class members failed to file claims with the city before suing, a legal requirement the plaintiffs said was impractical. | |
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General News
Friday, January 3, 2025 |
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| Thomas V. Girardi, once a celebrated lawyer, was convicted of wire fraud in 2024 after a failed defense of mental incompetence and now faces either prison or hospitalization, possibly for the rest of his life. His case spurred reforms at the State Bar, which was tainted by its association with him. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 2, 2025 |
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| Now is as good a time as any to ensure your portfolio is well positioned to weather any market conditions, regardless of who is occupying the White House. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 2, 2025 |
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| Over a dozen lawsuits filed against PIH Health in LA County Court over a Dec. 1 cyberattack, allegedly exposing 17 million patient records. The first suit was filed by Wilshire Law Firm and Zimmerman Reed LLP. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 2, 2025 |
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| Nelson & Fraenkel LLP filed a lawsuit challenging California's Alcoholic Beverage Control Act for discriminating against out-of-state distilleries, claiming it violates the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause by restricting direct sales to California consumers. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 |
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| Current trends in leasing activity in the legal sector all point toward a new normal level of leasing activity as legal occupier demand saw elevated levels in 2022 and 2023 that have sustained through the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 -- according to a new Cushman & Wakefield analysis report. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 |
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| Orange County Superior Court Judge Israel Claustro owns the company at the center of the fraud investigation, court documents show. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 |
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| Through his easy-to-follow videos, Kyshawn Lane has created a community of first-time homeowners, showing them how a little upkeep may save them money. | |
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General News
Monday, December 30, 2024 |
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| The case arose from a 2017 agreement between the plaintiffs Francine Shulman, her sons and the defendants to cultivate cannabis on Shulman's land, splitting the profits 50-50. | |
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General News
Monday, December 30, 2024 |
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| The sexual harassment lawsuit against Northrop Grumman heats up as both sides trade accusations over discovery conduct. The defense claims the plaintiff abandoned her deposition, while her attorneys argue the company is withholding crucial information. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 16, 2025 |
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| A mass tort lawsuit accuses the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power of infrastructure mismanagement that allegedly hampered firefighting efforts during the Palisades Fire, raising critical questions about municipal liability. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
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| The blaze in the Altadena area has destroyed thousands of structures and caused widespread devastation. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 |
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| Much has changed since neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades were developed, land use attorneys warned. Rebuilding will be difficult, or in some cases impossible. | |
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General News
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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| The blazes come after years of reform efforts meant to lessen fire damage and prop up the state's insurance markets. | |
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General News
Friday, January 10, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles successfully demurred against claims that it unlawfully approved a luxury hotel project, leading to the demolition of affordable housing. Judge Chalfant ruled the complaint was not timely served on necessary parties. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 9, 2025 |
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| The city argues in its complaint that the law prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, leading to increased crime and violating officers' oaths of office. | |
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General News
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 |
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| Amendments to the original complaint that initiated the now-consolidated civil liability action were filed on Friday. | |
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General News
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 |
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| President Joe Biden announced Monday what he called a permanent stop to new oil and gas drilling across more than 625 million acres of U.S. coastal waters, saying he was making the move because drilling posed unnecessary risks to the environment, public health and the coastal communities' economies. | |
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General News
Monday, January 6, 2025 |
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| Justin Baldoni's $250M lawsuit against the New York Times may not impact the paper but could deter smaller media, experts warn. The case stems from actress Blake Lively's harassment claims against Baldoni during the making of "It Ends With Us." | |
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General News
Friday, January 3, 2025 |
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| "I think the plaintiff lawyer could use that as further negligence against the bar," City of Orange trial attorney Aaron T. Hicks said. | |
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General News
Thursday, January 2, 2025 |
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| The lawsuit claimed that Tides Foundation violated a 2020 agreement to receive donations to Black Lives Matter by refusing to honor promises to return donations to the organization or disburse grants requested to be paid to a particular donor. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 |
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| Courtney Pade, a USC Annenberg professor, filed suit to unmask anonymous creators of websites, videos and podcasts that she says are falsely accusing her of helping wealthy students gain improper admission to the university. | |
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General News
Monday, December 30, 2024 |
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| Experts expect product liability claims will overtake driver negligence lawsuits when fully autonomous vehicles become the norm. But assigning liability will be more difficult. | |