GUEST COLUMNS
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk over the Potomac River underscores the importance of pilot training, aircraft reliability, and communication, with the NTSB's thorough investigation set to determine causes and recommend safety changes, though it may take years to complete.
NIL compensation for college athletes complicates
future economic damage claims in personal injury cases, as the speculative
nature of NIL earnings and legal uncertainties make it hard to assess lost
earning potential for injured youth athletes.
Monday, February 24, 2025
California's AB 2347 extends tenants' response time in unlawful detainer cases from 5 to 10 workdays, giving them more time to seek legal help, but critics warn it could delay evictions and increase costs for both sides.
In 1950, President Truman intervened to help Mayor Bill O'Dwyer avoid prosecution for corruption by appointing him Ambassador to Mexico, a move that reflected a cynical disregard for the rule of law in the face of scandal, drawing comparisons to modern political evasion tactics.
Friday, February 21, 2025
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's plan to solicit private donations to address homelessness tests the theory of trickle-down economics and raises concerns about transparency, oversight, and potential ethical pitfalls.
On Jan. 30, 2025, Judge Curtis A. Kin ruled Los Angeles violated the Housing Accountability Act by denying a 50-unit Boyle Heights project in bad faith, ordering approval of the project, emphasizing the HAA's role in combating California's housing crisis.
Thursday, February 20, 2025
When settling a lawsuit, it's crucial to consider the tax implications of the IRS Form 1099 issued, as it can affect your reporting obligations, including self-employment taxes, and may require clear specifications in the settlement agreement to avoid complications with duplicate or incorrect reporting of legal fees.
During a crisis, involve legal counsel early,
designate third parties as agents, protect work product, reassess privilege as
issues evolve, and limit communication distribution to maintain confidentiality
and minimize legal risks.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
The newly launched .MUSIC domain offers music-related professionals and entities a unique, secure online space with tailored policies to protect intellectual property, fight piracy, and enhance visibility.
President Trump's tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, aimed at curbing illegal activities, may unintentionally accelerate the shift of manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. by prompting companies to relocate from offshore to onshore production.
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
California is facing escalating tensions with the Trump Administration, with federal policies harming the state economically and politically, and the possibility of seceding from the United States or joining Canada being considered as a solution to these issues.
The Privette doctrine limits hirer
liability for contractor employee injuries, but the Kinsman exception
holds hirers accountable if they knew or should have known of a concealed
hazard, as seen in Blaylock v. DMP 260 Newport Center.
Friday, February 14, 2025
Trade secrets face new risks from AI, remote work, and global supply chains. Litigation counsel can help update protections, mitigate threats, and strengthen legal defenses.
When ocean-borne cargo is damaged or lost during
transit without insurance, the liability for the loss depends on the terms set
out in the bill of lading and various legal frameworks, including the Carriage
of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), while forum selection clauses may require claims
to be pursued in foreign jurisdictions.
Thursday, February 13, 2025
The evolving regulatory landscape for digital assets, including the SEC's withdrawal of SAB 121 and President Trump's Digital Assets Executive Order, presents both opportunities and challenges for financial institutions
The Eaton Fire has devastated Altadena, challenging how to value property in a historically Black community with deep cultural and generational significance.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Employers in California often struggle with
determining salaried exempt status for employees, as it involves both a
"salary test" based on the minimum wage and a "duties test"
requiring more than 50% of an employee's time be spent on higher-level tasks.
A recent California Court of Appeal ruling in Gharibian v. Wawanesa narrows the definition of "direct physical loss," potentially leaving homeowners affected by wildfire without proper insurance coverage for smoke, ash, and debris damage, exacerbating an already difficult situation for wildfire victims.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The U.S. and China, despite their fierce competition in AI, have opportunities to collaborate, leveraging each other's strengths in innovation and application to foster mutual growth and benefit global development.
California's Bulletin 2024-14 clarifies Proposition 103, outlining insurers' duties on lowest premiums, rate filings, credit card fees, wildfire mitigation discounts, and group insurance plan rules.
Monday, February 10, 2025
Think you're safe from IRS audits after three years? Think again - a single missing form or signature could give tax collectors more time to dig through your returns.
In California divorces involving minor children, courts require parents to address health insurance coverage, ensuring continuity of care through employer-sponsored plans, COBRA, Covered California, or Medi-Cal, while also establishing cost-sharing arrangements and procedures for medical expenses.
Friday, February 7, 2025
Lawyers are among the professions most vulnerable to alcoholism and mental health issues, with one in five lawyers having an alcohol problem and high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
A voter ID requirement in California is unlikely to come from the legislature but could be decided by voters through a ballot initiative.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
U.S. District Judge Clay D. Land dismissed the National Ranger Memorial Foundation's lawsuit, stating that Congress has the authority to decide whether Colonel John Singleton Mosby should be memorialized and that the Department of Defense properly implemented the decision.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
California's fast-food industry faces significant pushback against Assembly Bill 1228, which raised the minimum wage to $20 per hour for workers, as local restaurant owners cite increased operational costs, reduced profitability, and community impact.
Analyzing Gov. Newsom's Executive Order N-7-25: Protecting fire victims or overstepping boundaries?
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires companies to file ownership reports, but ongoing lawsuits and conflicting rulings have left businesses in limbo, unsure of when or how to comply.
Childhood sexual abuse survivors face significant non-economic damages, including emotional distress and sexual dysfunction, but best practices avoid claiming sexual damages to protect privacy and prevent violating CCP 2017.220, which shields sexual history from discovery.
Monday, February 3, 2025
California's 2nd District Court of Appeal
delivers a blow to "headless" PAGA actions in Leeper v. Shipt Inc. while carefully distinguishing--but
not disturbing-- a key holding in Balderas.
New York Times v. Sullivan protects free speech
by requiring public figures to prove "actual malice" in defamation
cases--essential for democracy, though critics now challenge its relevance in
the digital age.
Friday, January 31, 2025
In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, California's price-gouging protections are making property owners think twice about offering rentals, even as displaced residents desperately search for housing.
Ending birthright citizenship could leave people without legal protections, disrupt immigration policy, and cut federal funding to states, impacting services for residents.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Two COVID-era cases from Michigan challenge the Supreme Court's murky standards for when government regulations amount to property takings.
Just as the DOI's Sustainable Insurance Strategy launches, unprecedented wildfire losses threaten to trigger FAIR Plan assessments that could spur more insurers to flee California.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Los Angeles wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes, giving residents the option to rebuild or relocate using insurance funds, but affordability, rising costs, and emotional strain make the decision difficult.
Observations and lessons at the one-year anniversary of the rules' implementation.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
The implementation of Section 10D clawback rules has begun to reshape executive compensation policies, as companies navigate disclosure requirements, recovery analyses, and the broader implications for risk management and governance.
New SEC rules require companies to adopt clawback policies for executive compensation, but many firms are going beyond the mandates, implementing discretionary policies to address broader risks, align with shareholder expectations, and deter misconduct while navigating evolving regulatory and investor pressures.
Monday, January 27, 2025
Navigating the tax implications of insurance proceeds after a wildfire can be complex, but there are mechanisms in place--like exclusions, deductions, and deferrals--that can help minimize the tax burden for homeowners, especially when considering future lawsuit recoveries and the new federal tax law.
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NEWS
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General News
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 |
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| Advocates for the Environment sue Palmdale, claiming the city's approval of a commerce center ignored CEQA, failing to mitigate 148,195 tons of yearly greenhouse gas emissions. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 |
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| Disney must face a lawsuit alleging it misled investors about Disney+ growth, though a claim against CEO Bob Iger was dropped with a chance to amend. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 |
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| If you sold personal items like concert tickets or used clothing online last year or received money for services through payment apps, you may get an unfamiliar tax form this year. | |
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General News
Monday, February 24, 2025 |
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| Sable Offshore sued the California Coastal Commission, claiming its pipeline repairs are permitted, sparking outrage from environmentalists over risks tied to a 2015 oil spill. | |
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General News
Monday, February 24, 2025 |
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| The horrendously destructive and deadly Los Angeles wildfires erupted in January just as Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's historic and very controversial overhaul of how insurers calculate premiums was taking effect. | |
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General News
Monday, February 24, 2025 |
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| DiCello Levitt LLP filed a class action against Southern California Edison, alleging negligence in the Eaton Canyon wildfires, seeking damages for thousands affected. | |
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General News
Friday, February 21, 2025 |
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| On January 1, 2025, Assembly Bill 2499 expanded the definition of "victim" for purposes of certain leaves and accommodations. Eligible employees may now use California Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act sick leave when they need time off to seek relief if they (or, in some cases, a family member) are a victim of a crime. | |
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General News
Friday, February 21, 2025 |
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| A lawsuit claims Los Angeles illegally raised sewer rates without voter approval or proper notice, violating state laws. The city, however, has defeated a similar challenge recently. | |
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General News
Friday, February 21, 2025 |
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| Owner of video surveillance company acquired by Garda Security Inc., claiming the company violated his shareholder rights by acquiring Stealth Monitoring Inc. through a subsidiary to bypass a non-compete agreement. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 20, 2025 |
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| Independent convenience stores sued Frito-Lay, alleging unfair pricing practices that favor large grocery chains, forcing smaller retailers to pay higher prices for the same products. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 20, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles hires Munger Tolles & Olson LLP to defend against lawsuits from the Palisades fire, with potential damages in the billions. Plaintiffs' attorneys anticipate a tough legal fight. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 20, 2025 |
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| It's possible to amass $1 million in special health savings accounts to use in retirement, a new analysis finds, with several big caveats. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 |
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| San Bernardino County attorneys seek to dismiss a lawsuit by a former school custodian, acquitted of child assault, who alleges he was wrongfully prosecuted. The defense cites lack of evidence and prosecutorial immunity. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 |
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| A realtors' group sued Los Angeles, demanding action within 60 days and accusing the city of reneging on its commitment to accommodate 255,432 new units through rezoning. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 |
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| The National Black Contractors Association of America is uniquely positioned to be on the right side of history. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge is considering whether serving notice of lead contamination claims to outside counsel, rather than corporate officers, meets notification requirements in a case against Walmart and Bumble Bee Foods. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 |
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| Don't just download your history of paying into Social Security or freeze access to your credit files because of the politics of now. Back up everything important, everywhere you can. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 |
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| The attorney challenging the policy claims it forces defendants to waive their First Amendment rights, while the SEC argues it preserves public confidence and settlement efficiency. Judges appeared intrigued but skeptical as they debated the policy's constitutional implications. | |
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General News
Friday, February 14, 2025 |
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| At the heart of the complaint, filed Tuesday, is a statement the plaintiffs claim the company made about SCE's use of a wildfire prevention tool that temporarily shuts off electrical power in neighborhoods during dangerous weather conditions. | |
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General News
Friday, February 14, 2025 |
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| How do you want your social media pages, smartphone photos and computer files handled after you die? | |
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General News
Friday, February 14, 2025 |
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| The ruling keeps the case alive but dismisses key claims, setting up another legal battle over the emotional distress caused by the wrongful death notification. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
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| Examples of spoiled broth abound in the political realm, but a very obvious and current example is California's haphazard approach to its worst-in-the-nation homelessness crisis. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
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| SpaceX accuses the California Coastal Commission of unconstitutional conduct and bias, claiming interference with its plans for more launches at Vandenberg. The legal battle continues with a motion hearing set for March. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
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| A California appeal court sided with Wawanesa Insurance, denying Saddle Ridge Fire victims' claims for smoke damage, setting a precedent for future wildfire insurance disputes. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
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| A lawsuit claims Nature's Path toaster pastries contain too much of the wrong kind of sugar. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
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| America has seen this movie before: President Donald Trump, who imposed stiff tariffs Monday on imported steel and aluminum, did so once before, in 2018. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
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| Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates is known for championing conservative policies and leading high-profile legal battles against California state mandates. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 |
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| Credit card debt is weighing on many Americans. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 |
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| Anchor Stone Christian Church sued Santa Ana, claiming the city misled them into buying property and then denied a permit for religious use, violating their rights under federal law. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 |
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| Lawyers representing Altadena residents challenge Southern California Edison's claims of evidence that throws into doubt suggestions their equipment didn't start the Eaton fire. | |
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General News
Monday, February 10, 2025 |
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| A California walnut farmer and a German investment group compete for lead plaintiff in a Super Micro class action, raising questions about investment patterns and plaintiff suitability. | |
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General News
Monday, February 10, 2025 |
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| President Donald Trump denounced California's bullet train for the project's delays and rising costs on Tuesday, and said his administration would investigate how billions of federal and state dollars have been spent. | |
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General News
Monday, February 10, 2025 |
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| Patterson & O'Neill, after legal victories forcing Los Angeles to approve housing permits, open a new office in LA to tackle the city's housing crisis after recent wildfires. | |
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General News
Friday, February 7, 2025 |
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| LA city attorney targets Blueground US Inc. and two individuals, accusing them of price gouging after the wildfires, alleging price hikes over 50%. Legal actions include criminal and civil complaints to curb exploitation during the emergency. | |
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General News
Friday, February 7, 2025 |
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| Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison over its suspected role in the Eaton Canyon wildfire that devastated Altadena. As cases continue to be stayed and assigned to Judge Laura A. Seigle, one firm moved swiftly to secure a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction of key evidence. | |
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General News
Friday, February 7, 2025 |
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| Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna, a Swedish tech firm that helps consumers defer payment on purchases, has repeatedly talked up the amount of work his company has automated using generative AI. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 |
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| California legislators have introduced two bills aimed at making fossil fuel companies help pay for climate-related disasters. The proposed Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 would create a new fund to offset taxpayer costs from wildfires, extreme weather and other climate impacts. Business advocates warn of higher consumer costs and legal challenges. | |
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General News
Monday, February 24, 2025 |
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| Animator Buck Woodall seeks to delay a $100M trial against Disney over "Moana," challenging a ruling limiting damages evidence to Buena Vista, not Disney+. | |
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General News
Friday, February 21, 2025 |
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| A San Bernardino County judge approved a $28 million settlement for a baby's catastrophic brain injury after Orange County social services placed her in a home with a known domestic abuser. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 20, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge ruled that a lawsuit accusing Norwalk of violating its housing obligations can proceed, though the court dismissed an attempt to name the city council as a separate defendant. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 |
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| The dispute centers on whether the city's charter amendment conflicts with state election laws, even before an ordinance is enacted. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 |
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| A federal judge has rejected youth plaintiffs' challenge to the EPA's discount rate calculations used for assessing the economic impact of climate regulations, finding there was no constitutional rights violation. | |
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General News
Friday, February 14, 2025 |
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| Four lawsuits claim the Television City project in LA's Fairfax District violates environmental and zoning laws, challenging the city council's approval of the studio complex expansion. | |
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General News
Thursday, February 13, 2025 |
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| With deep expertise in patent litigation and IP strategy across life sciences, medical devices, and technology, the five-partner group enhances Morgan Lewis's ability to handle complex, high-stakes IP disputes globally. | |
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General News
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 |
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| The EPA has given itself a 30-day deadline to clean up toxic waste from recent Los Angeles County wildfires, but objections have been raised about that prediction and a decision to store some of the waste on Will Rogers State Beach. | |
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General News
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 |
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| Attorney Graham E. Berry was briefly removed from California's vexatious litigant list after 24 years by one Los Angeles judge, but another reinstated him due to lack of notification to the affected party. | |
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General News
Monday, February 10, 2025 |
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| Marqeta Inc. shareholders filed a lawsuit against CEO Simon Khalaf and other executives, claiming "gross mismanagement" caused a 42.5% stock drop after undisclosed regulatory risks surfaced in Q3 earnings. | |
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General News
Friday, February 7, 2025 |
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| The lawsuit, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, claims federal agencies failed to account for environmental impacts and ignored public input. | |