GUEST COLUMNS
Thursday, November 20, 2025
California's post-wildfire recovery efforts in early 2025 revealed both the promise and the pitfalls of its disaster laws -- exposing a system in urgent need of modernization as climate threats grow.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against transgender individuals this year, allowing bans on military service, healthcare and identity recognition. With key cases on transgender athletes approaching, the Court shows little inclination to protect them from discrimination.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
A recent amendment to California's data breach law imposes a firm 30-day notice deadline, limiting companies' discretion to postpone alerting residents to threats.
AI tools are transforming mediation practice, from document analysis to settlement predictions, but the distinctly human elements of trust-building, empathy and reading the room remain irreplaceable in resolving disputes.AI in mediation: The modern Prometheus?
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Unlike the masked Lone Ranger who upheld justice, today's masked ICE agents raise serious legal concerns as they operate more like villains than heroes.
If you're falsely imprisoned but not exonerated, your legal recovery may be taxable --highlighting a peculiar gap in how the tax code treats lost freedom.
Monday, November 17, 2025
In State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v.
Diblin, the California Court of Appeal reaffirmed that intentional conduct
cannot constitute an "occurrence" under a liability policy, holding that even
when a jury finds negligence, coverage is precluded if the injury stems from
intentional acts.
Plaintiffs' attorneys are increasingly turning to Washington's CEMA to challenge text-based refer-a-friend programs, drawn by its broad liability standards, statutory damages, and fee-shifting provisions.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Five years after Liu v. SEC, courts remain
split on how to apply its limits on disgorgement, leaving the SEC's most potent
remedy in need of Supreme Court clarification.
Trump calls up the National Guard in Illinois, citing "rebellion" and insufficient forces; courts and critics say there's no threat, raising 10th Amendment, federal-overreach and domestic-military concerns.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
A GOP lawsuit over California's new district maps tests whether the state's largest ethnic group -- Latinos -- can still qualify for voting protections despite their numbers but persistent political underrepresentation.
California's wildfire litigation is echoing the post-Katrina struggle over causation, with courts now facing the pivotal question of whether smoke damage counts as "direct physical loss" -- a decision that will shape recovery for years to come.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
On Veterans Day, we honor Justice Buck Compton -- a Silver Star-winning D-Day hero, Band of Brothers paratrooper and longtime California Court of Appeal justice -- whose extraordinary life blended courage in war, dedication to public service and a commitment to the law.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
As flu season sets in, even the most tireless lawyer must recognize when illness demands a pause -- because ethical duties don't take sick days.
Some fertility plaintiffs may endure painful follow-up procedures--yet still face taxes on settlements, depending on how claims are characterized and how the IRS views the loss.
Monday, November 10, 2025
Betting, branding and foreign financing were once unthinkable in college sports -- now they're on the table. Without a federal NIL framework, it's time for lawyers to step in.
A recent en banc decision by the Federal Circuit
in EcoFactor, Inc. v. Google LLC (2025) -- left standing by the U.S.
Supreme Court's denial of review -- has sparked widespread debate in the legal
community for significantly heightening the scrutiny of expert testimony under Daubert
and Federal Rule of Evidence 702, and for potentially shifting decision-making
power over patent damages from juries to judges.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Unlike the dot-com era, when women were largely sidelined, the AI boom offers a historic opportunity for women to lead by leveraging their judgment, communication, empathy and collaborative skills across industries.
California joins other states where partisan gerrymandering skews representation, disenfranchises voters and fuels political polarization and gridlock.
Thursday, November 6, 2025
UC San Diego's gutting of a scholarship once intended for Black students is just the beginning of a broader, deafening effort to further marginalize those already up against the odds.
In California, employers facing employee embezzlement can often recover stolen funds by acting quickly with discreet investigations, civil remedies like temporary restraining orders or writs of attachment, and, when appropriate, reporting the theft to law enforcement to preserve assets and pursue restitution.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Medical debt is a leading cause of consumer bankruptcy in the U.S., and attorneys play a critical role in guiding clients through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 filings, evaluating timing, exemptions, and alternative remedies, while also considering recent protections such as California's SB 1061.
The disruptive potential of deepfakes in family law highlights the urgent need for legal and technological solutions to safeguard the integrity of evidence and uphold the principles of justice and fairness in custody disputes.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
The rise of generative AI challenges traditional intellectual property laws by raising unresolved questions about who owns AI-generated content -- the developer, the user or no one -- forcing legal systems to adapt while grappling with fundamental questions about creativity, ownership and responsibility.
The SEC now allows mandatory arbitration in IPOs, reshaping litigation risk for public issuers, raising governance and insurance questions, and making expert, well-structured arbitration crucial for fair, efficient resolution of securities disputes.
Monday, November 3, 2025
As autonomous vehicle technologies advance--with investments growing 800% annually and market potential projected at $400 billion by 2035--the shifting landscape of manufacturer liability, insurance coverage, and evolving tort principles is creating a new era of complex commercial litigation and regulatory risk for the driverless ecosystem.
When clients don't pay, lawyers have options -- but ethical rules strictly limit how far they can go, what they can disclose and how they work with collection agencies.
Friday, October 31, 2025
Whether it's an unearned bonus or pay returned for other reasons, such as legal violations, you can often recoup the taxes -- though with the IRS, timing and details matter.
California's paid sick leave has evolved from three days for illness in 2015 to five days covering crime victimization, court appearances, domestic violence and bereavement, with more expansions coming in 2026.
Thursday, October 30, 2025
The Supreme Court is taking up two cases that could hold Cuba accountable for seizing American property -- an unexpected legal showdown with serious implications.
A $329 million verdict against Tesla for an autopilot-related death opens the floodgates to more lawsuits, exposing the company's overhyped self-driving claims and inferior safety systems compared to competitors like Waymo.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
In the unpublished decision, the California Court of Appeal ruled that a man living in a tent had no Fourth Amendment protection -- a sign of how courts are criminalizing poverty.
Part Two examines the proposed 2026 ballot initiatives targeting property and automobile insurance in California, including a Consumer Watchdog "Bill of Rights" and a modernized regulatory framework aimed at restoring competition. The coming election could once again place voters at the center of the state's insurance market policy.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
On Oct. 11, California enacted SB 37 to crack down on misleading attorney advertising -- giving consumers the right to sue over deceptive ads and strengthening penalties for illegal solicitation.
Ballots, burn zones and bottom lines: How California voters have shaped the state's insurance market
California voters have long wielded influence over insurance regulation through ballot initiatives, from Proposition 103's sweeping reforms in 1988 to Proposition 213's 1996 limits on uninsured drivers' claims. This article explores the history and impact of these measures, setting the stage for the critical 2026 election.
Monday, October 27, 2025
Cash for keys agreements can offer landlords with properties in rent-controlled jurisdictions flexibility, but failure to follow local rules could cost them dearly.
Once limited mostly to defamation and media cases, California's anti-SLAPP statute (Code Civ. Proc. § 425.16) has expanded into nearly every corner of civil litigation -- from employment, family, and probate disputes to contract, real estate, and arbitration matters -- catching unprepared lawyers off guard and packing a powerful punch with fee-shifting, discovery stays, and immediate appeal rights that can turn a routine case into a high-stakes fight.
Friday, October 24, 2025
As more plaintiffs look to sell their legal claims, the quirky tax rules around such transfers make early tax advice crucial.
Jurors may apply the law as instructed, but rising ticket prices and advancing surveillance are shaping a new expectation: that venues take real responsibility for keeping concertgoers safe.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
A billion-dollar Los Angeles verdict over baby powder and mesothelioma underscores how junk science, aggressive trial lawyer advertising, and weak judicial gatekeeping are fueling an endless cycle of litigation that drives up costs, distorts justice, and undermines public trust in California's courts.
The allegations of widespread fraud in Los Angeles County sexual abuse claims demand immediate, independent action from experienced, unbiased plaintiffs' firms to protect real victims and restore integrity to the settlement process.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Businesses across industries are facing a surge in "Shine the Light" law requests under California Civil Code §1798.83, exposing those unprepared to respond to significant litigation risks and penalties despite compliance with newer privacy laws like the CCPA.
Amid "No Kings" protests over his authoritarian tactics, Trump's March 22 directive to punish lawyers challenging his policies looks less like reform -- and more like an effort to intimidate dissent.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
The EPA's proposal to gut greenhouse gas reporting would sideline nearly all sectors, leaving a gaping hole in climate accountability until at least 2034.
The California Air Resources Board released a preliminary list of in-scope entities and draft guidance on the state's mandatory climate reporting requirements. Certain companies doing business in California will have to publicly post their first reports on or before Jan. 1, 2026, in accordance with the guidance.
Lawrence Summers at his home in Brookline, Mass., June 22, 2021. (David Degner/New York Times)
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NEWS
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General News
Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
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| Finding extensive California contacts and rejecting reliance on the fiduciary shield doctrine, Judge David A. Hoffer held that nonresident Xponential executives must answer franchise-related claims in Orange County. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
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| Ford argued for the right to use discovery from its federal RICO suit in related state lemon law cases, but a magistrate judge declined, limiting use and restricting access to confidential documents. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
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| Elected officeholders come and go, but the Capitol has a permanent substructure of men and women who do the real, if often hidden, business of retail politics. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |
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| Defense firms and medical providers hit back at Uber's federal racketeering, filing motions to dismiss based on anti-SLAPP, litigation privilege, Noerr-Pennington immunity and alleged failure to plead fraud with particularity. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |
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| Judge Samantha P. Jessner signaled she may allow narrow firefighter depositions to preserve fading memories in litigation over the Lachman and Palisades fires, despite the city's push to keep discovery fully paused. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |
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| Home heating costs are expected to outpace inflation this winter. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 |
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| With thousands of policyholders alleging delays and inadequate payments after major January fires, L.A. County Counsel has demanded answers from State Farm about its claim-handling practices, joining a widening set of legal and regulatory challenges confronting the insurer. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 |
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| With jury selection complete, attorneys for Prologis, its tenant businesses, and 24 plaintiffs laid out sharply differing accounts of whether improperly stored hand sanitizer caused the foul-smelling gas release that blanketed Carson and surrounding communities in 2021. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 |
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| Gov. Gavin Newsom spent much of 2023 and 2024 on a crusade against high gas prices, accusing refiners of gouging motorists. | |
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General News
Monday, November 17, 2025 |
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| A federal judge indicated claims against Live Nation and Ticketmaster over the Eras Tour ticket fiasco may proceed to trial, tentatively denying parts of their dismissal motion after extensive antitrust and fraud arguments. | |
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General News
Monday, November 17, 2025 |
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| Bass is vulnerable. Public and private polls place her approval rating somewhere in the low 40s, against a disapproval rating in the high 40s -- which means she's about 10 points under water, a danger zone for an incumbent. | |
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General News
Monday, November 17, 2025 |
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| A San Francisco judge threatened to appoint a discovery referee as PG&E and the plaintiff traded accusations of discovery abuse, including alleged withholding of 10,000 documents, during a contentious wrongful-death lawsuit hearing. | |
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General News
Friday, November 14, 2025 |
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| To help you navigate the 2025 season with greater ease and enjoyment, consider these planning tips designed to reduce stress and enhance your holiday experience. | |
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General News
Friday, November 14, 2025 |
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| Political consultant Dana Williamson faces 23-count federal indictment alleging fraud, obstruction, and false tax returns in ongoing political corruption probe. | |
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General News
Friday, November 14, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge will allow a sewer-rate challenge to proceed but is reconsidering whether plaintiffs may amend class and jury claims after tentatively striking them in a Proposition 218 and CPRA lawsuit. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 13, 2025 |
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| A new VA report found the West Los Angeles campus earns far below market value from third-party leases, supporting Judge David Carter's ruling that the agreements violate the West LA Leasing Act. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 13, 2025 |
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| A federal judge in San Jose will hear Baron App Inc.'s bid for a temporary restraining order against OpenAI over the Sora app's use of the term "cameo," as both sides trade accusations over trademark infringement, dilution and fair use. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 13, 2025 |
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| The new rules that kick in next year for health savings accounts may make the plans more attractive, as Americans consider their insurance options for 2026. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 |
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| The Trump administration plans to propose new oil and gas drilling off the California coast for the first time in roughly four decades, according to three people briefed on the matter. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 |
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| SoftBank, the Japanese technology giant, has staked its future on artificial intelligence. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 |
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| Just like television and film shoots, commercial production in Los Angeles has plummeted. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
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| The ruling cements Alcon's acquisition of Village Roadshow's remaining film assets, including rights tied to Mad Max, The Matrix, and Joker franchises. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
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| After nearly three weeks of trial, jurors unanimously sided with Cedars-Sinai, finding no evidence of age or ethnic bias in the hospital's decision to terminate the plaintiff. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
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| California YIMBY, an organization founded eight years ago to promote housing construction in response to an ever-increasing gap between demand and supply, held a victory party in San Francisco recently. | |
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General News
Monday, November 10, 2025 |
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| The justices reversed an appellate ruling that found the law violated the First Amendment. The court held that the restriction regulates discriminatory conduct that 'incidentally' affects speech. | |
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General News
Monday, November 10, 2025 |
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| After months of shaking hands with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and pledging to take artificial colors out of candy and drinks, food company executives are done playing nice. | |
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General News
Monday, November 10, 2025 |
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| An attorney representing three female college athletes and a Liberty University student told an Oakland federal judge the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement over athlete compensation discriminates against women in non-revenue generating sports, arguing it pressures schools to cut women's teams and funnels almost all money to men's sports. | |
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General News
Friday, November 7, 2025 |
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| A jury found Michael H. Sklar was denied promotion due to age discrimination. His case has emboldened other deputies to bring similar suits alleging bias based on age, race, and disability. | |
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General News
Friday, November 7, 2025 |
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| Directed by Professor Ari Waldman, the center will study how technology shapes law, privacy and society. | |
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General News
Friday, November 7, 2025 |
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| California employers will face a significantly more complex leave and accommodation landscape beginning on January 1, 2026. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
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| San Francisco public defender's report 470 unrepresented cases since May due to lawyer shortages, rising felony and misdemeanor caseloads, as judge holds hearings addressing constitutional and staffing concerns. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
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| A state appeals court struck down Huntington Beach's voter ID charter amendment, ruling that California law prohibits cities from imposing identification requirements beyond those established by statewide election rules. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
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| There have been calls to tax the rich ever since there have been taxes. One idea, though, arouses particularly fevered reactions: a tax on wealth, not just paychecks. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
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| A court ruling this summer canceled a President Joe Biden-era federal effort to remove medical debt from credit reports. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
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| Judge Richard Y. Lee said temporary judges play an "invaluable role" in keeping the Orange County courts running smoothly as the Superior Court recruits attorneys for its next three-year volunteer term beginning in 2026. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
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| Netflix and DivX argued dueling summary judgment motions Monday in a Los Angeles patent case over adaptive streaming technology, with DivX claiming Netflix infringes its video-delivery innovations. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera heard arguments on Northrop Grumman's motion to decertify a class of Canoga Park residents alleging toxic chemical contamination from the company's longtime manufacturing facility. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
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| A federal judge questioned whether businessman Stephen Cloobeck can bar Antonio Villaraigosa from using "proven problem solver" in his campaign for governor as attorneys debated trademark rights and free speech. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
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| As Gov. Gavin Newsom ramps up what appears to be a 2028 White House bid, a mainstay of his pitch during television interviews and social media appearances is California's economy. | |
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General News
Monday, November 3, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick said the law firm violated a court order that barred LinkedIn research on potential jurors, warning that future violations could bring far steeper penalties. | |
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General News
Monday, November 3, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles struggles to balance its humane responses to addiction and homelessness with its more instant but often less durable alternatives -- police action. | |
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General News
Monday, November 3, 2025 |
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| Southern California Edison finalized its Eaton Fire settlement plan, doubling eligible properties to 18,000, expanding coverage beyond the fire perimeter, increasing compensation, and revising procedures to streamline out-of-court claims. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 20, 2025 |
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| Larry Summers, the former Treasury secretary, will step down from the board of artificial intelligence startup OpenAI, he and the company said Wednesday. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 |
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| With thousands of plaintiffs alleging Edison's power lines sparked the January Eaton Fire, Judge Laura Seigle has mandated year-end production of core liability discovery, escalating pressure on the utility as it defends its out-of-court settlement program and fights requests for privileged engineering assessments. | |
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General News
Monday, November 17, 2025 |
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| Keker, Van Nest & Peters filed a pro bono class action alleging unconstitutional, inhumane conditions at ICE's California City Detention Facility, claiming failures in medical care, basic needs and attorney access. | |
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General News
Friday, November 14, 2025 |
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| Incoming Consumer Attorneys of California President Douglas S. Saeltzer says an Uber-backed ballot measure poses an unprecedented threat to crash victims' rights. | |
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General News
Thursday, November 13, 2025 |
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| The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that California may pursue damages and injunctive relief against tribal officials accused of violating a federal tobacco law, rejecting their claims of personal immunity. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer on Monday blasted Los Angeles city leaders over alleged discovery abuses in a homeless encampment case. She was the second federal judge in three days to make the threat. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles' public defense network faces a chain of strain as the Alternate Public Defender's Office declines dozens of homicide cases, forcing private conflict panel attorneys and the county budget to absorb the impact. | |
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General News
Monday, November 10, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge ruled social media giants must face jury trials over claims their platforms harmed young people's mental health, marking a major step in nationwide litigation. | |
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General News
Friday, November 7, 2025 |
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| Attorneys for Apple and Masimo opened a trial Wednesday over allegations Apple's Watch infringes Masimo's heart rate monitor patent, with each side disputing whether the technology qualifies as a medical or consumer device | |
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General News
Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
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| Higher import taxes on steel, copper, lumber and other materials are lifting construction prices and interrupting some jobs. Immigration enforcement is worsening worker shortages and delaying projects. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |
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| The NCAA urged dismissal of Reggie Bush's amended antitrust lawsuit, arguing his name, image, and likeness claims are time-barred and already settled in earlier federal cases involving college athletes' compensation. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 |
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| Pasadena sued UCLA, alleging the university plans to abandon its Rose Bowl lease early to move football games to SoFi Stadium. UCLA denies deciding on a new long-term home. | |
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General News
Monday, November 3, 2025 |
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| California and other states are seeking to challenge the Justice Department's approval of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise-Juniper merger, alleging political interference and calling for an evidentiary hearing under the Tunney Act. But the Justice Department and Hewlett Packard Enterprise argued this week that the states had no right to intervene. | |