Daily Recorder

The California Supreme Court has ruled that amusement rides, such as roller coasters, are common carriers and must use the utmost care for their safety.

Preemptory challenge over 'lack of life experience' of Hispanic juror reversed

The Second District Court of Appeals recently applied 231.7 in People v. Uriostegui, reversing the conviction and ordering a new trial for a prosecutor who exercised a peremptory challenge against a juror with a Spanish surname. The court found that the prosecutor had effectively smuggled in presumptively invalid reasons under the umbrella of "lack of life experience."

Annual data breaches continue to plague AT&T customers

AT&T opposes new FCC regulations to improve customer data protections and data breach reporting requirements.

Democrats nix California homeless camp ban, again

A student sent a swastika to a Jewish lawmaker's daughter. The response led to his new bill

If Newsom truly follows the science, why not adopt the 'science of reading' in California schools?

Thursday, April 18, 2024

California's high construction costs limit housing. A Supreme Court decision might help

California sues Huntington Beach to stop voter ID

Much of California's homeless population is stuck in cycles of substance use. These strategies can help

How Gov. Newsom's budget sidesteps growing cost of CalPERS pensions, for one year

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

'Digital Democracy' project penetrates California's opaque political processes

'Forever chemicals': Water supplies throughout California will exceed new national limits

Monday, April 15, 2024

How banks are navigating a multi-pronged assault on customer fees

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule limiting late fees on credit card payments to $8, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is considering a rule limiting overdraft fees to $3. These developments have led to an increase in private litigation against banks, including consumer class actions.

The 7 million dollar reason to pay attention to the Fair Employment and Housing Act

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act aims to provide the greatest protection for individuals with disabilities, and the Martinez case should serve as a reminder for employers to strictly adhere to the law and train their human resource departments and managerial employees.

While California politicians skirmish over housing, the shortage keeps growing

Backers of California homeless camp ban cite 'successful' San Diego law. But is it?

Friday, April 12, 2024

California fails to track its homelessness spending or results, a new audit says

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Fear of backlash shouldn't deter schools from LGBTQ inclusion

Power is never having to say 'no.' How state's Democrats kill bills without voting against them

They work 80 hours a week for low pay. Now, California's early-career doctors are joining unions

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Prop. 1's success hinges on California clearing the 'human logjam' in its mental health system

Californians will elect a trailblazer in this district. Will it be a GOP Latina or an LGBTQ Democrat?

These tenants just got protection from big rent hikes

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Political ritual: California labor priorities and business 'job killers' again on a collision course

Native American students get free tuition to attend any University of California school. Why it isn't enough.

Newsom, lawmakers get $17B jump on budget deficit

Monday, April 8, 2024

Feds say LA poultry company used child labor for risky jobs then hid its product

Friday, April 5, 2024

California progressives forced to play defense as state faces huge budget deficits

Garvey effect: Schiff's strategy sunk down-ballot Democrats but could lead to more GOP losses

Progressive Democrats say services, not penalties, will cut crime

Thursday, April 4, 2024

IRS Form 1099 playbook

IRS Forms 1099 are important tax forms for lawyers and clients, as they report income and allow computer matching of Social Security numbers and dollar amounts paid.

Predicting appellate outcomes based on the panel

Two recent studies examine how the personal and professional backgrounds of appellate judges affect their decisions on the standard of review and the favorability of certain parties.

California's income-based utility charge saga began with misuse of the state budget process

Controversial housing law could get makeover

Foster kids miss out on sports and music. New California plan aims to help them catch up

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Jury service can be traumatic

Jurors may be exposed to disturbing testimony or evidence that can cause secondary trauma. Some courts offer counseling services to help them cope.

No, California's wage bump for fast food workers isn't doomsday for restaurants. Here's why

My friend was fatally struck by a car. These street safety changes could've saved her – and others

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Californians pay high gas prices and high gas taxes yet still drive on bad highways

High stakes: Inside the multimillion-dollar battle for gambling rights in California

Which fast food workers will get paid more?

Monday, April 1, 2024

When Newsom gives his State of the State, he should be candid about California's economy

L.A. promised to hire 200 Black workers from a job training program. That hasn't happened.

California's disabled students left behind during emergencies: 'They just weren't ready'

Friday, March 29, 2024

California's liberal government has a long history of caving to special interests

Wall Street betting big on AI. Consumers must be protected

Why state Democrats are divided on retail theft bill

In-depth investigative reporting project probes, tells the story of people dying behind bars

California extends student financial aid deadline

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Farmers could save a lot of water, but their profits would suffer

California jails are holding thousands fewer people, but far more are dying in them

Supreme Court appears supportive of city's anti-camping ordinance

Newsom wants state workers back in the office. For that his own judges might sue him.

Withers secures victory for Kraken in gender pay claims

NEWS

General News Friday, April 26, 2024
Sacramento County DA wants Prop. 47 amendments put to voters "These bills that increase penalties to a felony, they're all going to have to go back to the ballot," DA Thien Ho said.

General News Friday, April 26, 2024
Idaho's abortion ban likely hinges on 3 conservative justices The cases came out of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which last October overturned a three-judge panel decision that reversed an Idaho district judge's decision enjoining the state law because it ran afoul of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

General News

Friday, April 26, 2024

Trial date set for challenge to Franchise Tax Board's minimum tax

The lawsuits filed by a New Jersey realty company, Wein Realty LLC, and a New York media company, Bahl Media LLC, challenges the legality of California's $800 minimum franchise tax on the following types of companies "doing business" in the state: C corporations, S corporations, LLCs, limited liability partnerships, and limited partnerships.

General News Thursday, April 25, 2024
Lawmakers act to reassert state control over solar market A pair of court rulings appear to have sparked a backlash in Sacramento.

General News Thursday, April 25, 2024
Judge OKs transgender notification initiative language Attorneys with the Protect Kids California campaign argued the materials Attorney General Rob Bonta's office wrote describing the initiative were misleading.

General News Thursday, April 25, 2024
Alameda County DA routily exclused Black, Jewish jurors The conclusion came from a federal judge who reviewed documents turned over by current DA Pamela Price.

General News Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Prison assault plaintiffs want TRO to stop inmate transfers Despite U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issuing a court order on inmate transfers, the plaintiffs' attorneys received frantic reports from dozens of class members about the "chaos" at the prison, plaintiffs' attorney Kara J. Janssen said.

General News Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Sacramento pension system sues software provider The county claims the botched implementation caused it to rely on its original legacy software system for several more years and bring in other companies to help it get the new system working.

General News Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Solar panel company fails in attempt to toss contract fraud claim The company allegedly withheld some orders to extract a higher price from customers.

General News Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Bellwether cases in social media addiction MDL are considered The first trial of dozens of lawsuits is scheduled for October 2025. The companies argue that the plaintiffs' claims are barred by the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

General News Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Court hears arguments on transgender disclosure measure's title Proponents of the measure claim Attorney General Rob Bonta's title for the measure is prejudicing prospective signatories against it.

General News Monday, April 22, 2024
Trial remains set for June in Golden Gate dispute The case, which relates to an alleged $13 million still owed to a steel producer, has been mired in cross complaints since it was filed in 2021.

General News Monday, April 22, 2024
Insurer must pay $80M to defamed former employees According to the Sacramento County Superior Court complaint, a vice president at Zurich American Insurance Company sent out an email that accused the employees of engaging in dishonest behavior and theft.

General News Monday, April 22, 2024
San Francisco accuses Oakland airport of name infringement and confusion City Attorney David Chiu argued that changing the name to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport would damage the entire region's travel industry.

General News Friday, April 19, 2024
Testy exchanges erupt in former State Bar executive director's discipline trial The trial has been ongoing, with the sides discussing wrapping up by Thursday.

General News Thursday, April 18, 2024
Gun advocates can no longer depend on drawing their favorite judge "I think some parties were attempting to forum shop by using the low number rule to relate cases that weren't actually related," Southern District Chief Judge Dana M. Sabraw said.

General News Thursday, April 18, 2024
Misleading labeling lawsuit against clothing stores nears settlement The lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating California's Organic Food and Farming Act by labeling their products as "organic" or "made with organic" despite containing minimal organic content.

General News Thursday, April 18, 2024
Lawmakers want to expand oil drillers liability for health issues The proposed law appears to be a response a November ballot initiative backed by the petroleum industry.

General News Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Judge can't bar plaintiffs from refiling claims against Uber A San Francisco judge says he has no authority to bar plaintiffs from refiling sex assault claims against Uber

General News

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The new guide to ground lease drafting and negotiation

Real estate development on ground-leased property has been growing, with municipalities, private parties, and institutional entities using it as a tool for development. Joshua Stein has compiled a comprehensive three-volume treatise to guide lawyers and real estate professionals through the process of drafting and negotiating ground lease transactions.

General News Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Orrick to settle data breach lawsuits for $8M The settlement arises from a consolidated action where three separate lawsuits accused the law firm of failing to protect the victims' personal information.

General News Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Google seeks to keep documents confidential in privacy case The proposed motion includes documents relating to real-time bidding (RTB) strategy, analysis and revenue, as well as proposed redactions for the versions available for the public to view.

General News Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Supreme Court: Legislated permit fees not exempt from Takings Clause Permit fees dispute will be settled by California courts, lawyers say

General News Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Accessible Expertise Attorneys at Foundation Law Group say everyone at the boutique is their own boss.

General News Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Stockton agrees to pay $6M to settle wrongful death lawsuit over in-custody death "Police agencies must ensure their officers have a clear understanding of how important it is to place someone who is handcuffed and prone into the recovery position as fast as possible, which is what they are supposed to be doing," plaintiffs' attorney V. James DeSimone said.

General News

Monday, April 15, 2024

Judges leery of circuit split over 'sensitive spaces' gun laws

Two judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel asked attorneys for the states and for Second Amendment advocates why they shouldn't defer to a 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that allowed most of a New York law restricting concealed carry of firearms in a variety of locations, but not on private property open to the public.

General News Monday, April 15, 2024
Proposition 47 supporters claim success – and deny rise in crime SUMMARY/TEASE: Supporters are gathering signatures to put a measure on the fall ballot that would roll back portions of the law that made it harder to convict criminals of more serious crimes that bring prison sentences.

General News Friday, April 12, 2024
Leah Remini's lawsuit against Scientology gets 4th judge Remini, a former member of the church, claimed in her lawsuit that the organization engaged in a campaign of harassment against her after she publicly exited and denounced it.

General News Friday, April 12, 2024
Too late to compel witness, file post-trial brief, judge says Attorneys for a class of plaintiffs want to call former Tubi executive Reza Banki to testify in a case accusing the company of setting pay for women below their male counterparts, resulting in a $58 million pay gap.

General News Friday, April 12, 2024
State certification would mostly impact independent neutrals A state lawmaker wants the State Bar to manage a certification program for neutrals, but some say the idea is fraught with problems.

General News Thursday, April 11, 2024
Tesla and Caltrans settle wrongful death suit over autopilot The settlement amount was not made public, but Tesla denied the plaintiffs' accusations that it sold a defective vehicle.

General News Thursday, April 11, 2024
Law firms are 'rethinking and retooling' approach to DEI Adverse legal opinions have forced attorneys to change their approach to diversity efforts within law firms and in the advice they give clients.

General News Thursday, April 11, 2024
Lawmakers forward bill to allow parties to disqualify justices of Court of Appeal The bill was inspired by a long-running California Voting Rights Act case, leading some lawmakers to question the need to reexamine the Act itself.

General News Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Women attorneys launch initiative to close gender gap in patent litigation Attendees will learn about aspects of being a lead counsel, including how to speak, dress, interact with non-leading counsel, and transition into the role. The summit also aims to provide connections and role models for other women in intellectual property practice.

General News Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Silicon Valley companies want gambling apps case dismissed The case involves a claim that the platforms processed illegal transactions for unlawful gambling, which falls outside of Section 230 protections.

General News Wednesday, April 10, 2024
French winery at center of discovery dispute in Pitt/Jolie divorce Family law attorneys believe Jolie's motion has a chance of being granted, at least in part.

General News Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Jury finds former biopharma executive liable for 'shadow trading' The SEC accused Matthew Panuwat of possessing confidential information about his employer and trading in the securities of Incyte Corp., a closely related company.

General News Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Lawmakers introduce legislation to combat retail theft Several new anti-theft bills are already print, thanks to amendments added during the past week.

General News Tuesday, April 9, 2024
6 telecom providers sue Santa Clara County for $19.3M in 'discriminatory' property taxes The plaintiffs allege that the county applied higher tax rates to their property compared to other property owners.

General News Tuesday, April 9, 2024
California to legislate cause of action for doxing victims The bill, AB 1979 aims to address the lack of criminal prosecutions for doxing under existing legislation.

General News Monday, April 8, 2024
Bankruptcy judge approves Sacramento diocese's ability to pay bills The U.S. Justice Department Attorney had filed an objection to the diocese's cash management proposals.

General News Monday, April 8, 2024
Special master recommended for $23.9M construction dispute The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by Swinerton, alleging breach of contract by the Asian Art Museum for a construction project. Swinerton has since filed counter complaints against seven of its subcontractors, who have also filed cross-complaints.

General News Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Supreme Court appears supportive of city's anti-camping ordinance While conservative justices were receptive of allowing cities to enforce anti-camping laws, liberal justices were leery with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asking if it was "just punishing the status?"

General News

Monday, April 15, 2024

Newsom wants state workers back in the office. For that his own judges might sue him.

"While I can't reveal the details of our strategy that we're working on, it is definitely not out of the question that we could very well end up in the superior court related to these telework matters," Tim O'Connor, president of California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment, said.

General News Monday, April 8, 2024
Withers secures victory for Kraken in gender pay claims Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, secured a trial victory in a gender pay discrimination lawsuit. The jury held the plaintiff liable for trade secret theft and breaching his employment agreement.