GUEST COLUMNS
Monday, June 30, 2025
Thousands of homeowners are being denied insurance coverage for toxic smoke damage, despite clear health risks and legal protection.
As California's 2025 legislative session nears its close, lawmakers are advancing three impactful employment bills--targeting fake job ads, AI-driven management, and employee rights education -- that, if enacted, will reshape workplace transparency and compliance obligations statewide.
Friday, June 27, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Zuch redefines the boundaries of Tax Court jurisdiction in CDP cases, with potential implications for how collection disputes unfold during litigation.
As Congress advances the "One Big Beautiful Tax Bill," proposed Senate reforms signal a long-term, pro-investment future for Opportunity Zones -- expanding eligibility, enhancing tax benefits (especially in rural areas), and tightening reporting requirements, all with the potential to reshape how investors engage in distressed community development.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Could a New Jersey township's plan to condemn a church for pickleball courts eventually become the U.S. Supreme Court case that finally defines what constitutes "pretextual" eminent domain?
If you have California customers sending you money -- even if you've never set foot in the Golden State -- California's tax authorities may come knocking with an income tax bill.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
A new Supreme Court ruling hints that medical
expenses from personal injuries might now open the door to RICO claims -- but
don't expect a flood of new lawsuits just yet.
In the face of escalating violence and political resistance, federal ICE and CBP agents, attacked by rioters and left without timely local support in Los Angeles, now confront a controversial California SB 627 that's seeking to unmask them.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the United States faces renewed pressure to weigh military involvement -- raising urgent constitutional questions about who holds the power to declare war and whether recent presidents have sidelined Congress in one of the nation's gravest decisions.
As accusations of politically motivated "debanking" grow louder, from religious groups to crypto firms, regulators and courts are stepping in, urging banks to adopt viewpoint-neutral policies that protect both financial access and First Amendment principles.
Monday, June 23, 2025
California's Vehicle Code section 17004.7
provides public entities with immunity from liability in pursuit-related
crashes if they adopt and regularly train officers on pursuit policies, but
ongoing litigation, including the case Gilliland v. City of Pleasanton,
could significantly impact the scope of that immunity.
A Georgia court's dismissal of the first AI hallucination defamation suit underscores just how early -- and unsettled -- the legal questions remain around generative AI's liability.
Friday, June 20, 2025
Devastated parents and bipartisan leaders are calling for urgent reform of Section 230, as Big Tech continues to hide behind the outdated law while their platforms target, addict, and endanger kids -- with deadly consequences.
Generative AI platforms are turning to centuries-old public domain documents to train their systems and sidestep billion-dollar legal battles over the use of protected works.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Public entities often invoke trail immunity in
tree-fall cases, but Toeppe v. City of San Diego draws a clear line--if
the hazardous tree exists independent of the trail, § 831.4 does not apply.
As urban fires grow more toxic, firefighters face mounting exposure to dangerous substances like mercury, lead, and carcinogens--risks that are reshaping legal protections, expanding the scope of workers' compensation, and highlighting the need for better exposure documentation and civil remedies when misrepresentation or third-party misconduct is involved.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
The deployment of military forces to Los Angeles amid peaceful protests lacks constitutional or statutory justification and raises serious concerns about potential autocratic overreach.
In a powerful and meticulously reasoned opinion, Judge Charles Breyer correctly ruled that President Trump's unprecedented federalization of the California National Guard to suppress protests in Los Angeles violated federal law, underscoring the critical importance of judicial oversight in preventing unchecked presidential authority and the unlawful militarization of domestic affairs.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
As state-sponsored cyberattacks grow more disruptive, insurers are expanding the War Exclusion to deny coverage even in peacetime--threatening to leave U.S. businesses exposed to financial losses that were previously handled through cyber insurance.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Ames v. Ohio that Title VII protects all workers equally, striking down the extra "background circumstances" burden for majority-group discrimination claims and unifying the standard for all plaintiffs.
Monday, June 16, 2025
The Trump administration's sweeping "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" may be doomed to fail because it illegally stuffs non-budgetary provisions--from AI regulation bans to court enforcement restrictions--into a fast-track budget process that's supposed to handle only fiscal matters.
National Audubon reframed water rights as
conditional privileges, establishing that environmental values are core
criteria--not secondary considerations--in California's ongoing water governance.
Friday, June 13, 2025
What is happening in Los Angeles today is not unprecedented--and if we ignore the lessons of our past, including the vital role immigrants have played in building our state and sustaining our economy, we risk repeating the injustices we once rose up to resist.
President Trump's second-term immigration agenda marks a sharp escalation from his first, with an aggressive revival of civil denaturalization efforts that put not only naturalized citizens--but also their spouses and children--at risk of losing U.S. citizenship based on past omissions or alleged misstatements, no matter how minor.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Supreme Court's decision eliminates extra burdens for majority-group plaintiffs, casting new doubt on California's Assembly Bill 7 and its reparative admissions policy.
Citing a rarely used statute and without the governor's request--President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops following ICE raids that sparked resistance, igniting a constitutional clash over presidential power, the limits of military enforcement and the meaning of "rebellion."
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
In the aftermath of devastating wildfires and mounting litigation, Los Angeles faces a critical need for accelerated legal resolution to protect its financial future and public interests--especially ahead of global events--raising the urgent question of who will lead the city forward.
Wildfire victims may be able to reduce, delay, or avoid paying taxes on insurance or settlement proceeds--especially if the fire is classified as a federally declared disaster, which unlocks key tax relief options like casualty loss deductions and Section 1033 deferrals.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
After avoiding foreign business deals during his first term, President Trump and his family now appear to have embraced international dealmaking. It's time for the public to take notice.
Despite spending significant resources to support victims, district attorney offices often fail to address serious ethical risks--particularly under Rule 4.3--when prosecutors, without proper guidance or safeguards, inadvertently give legal advice to unrepresented victims whose interests may conflict with those of the prosecution.
Monday, June 9, 2025
A recent decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade held that President Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by imposing sweeping tariffs, ruling the measures unconstitutional and enjoining their enforcement--setting the stage for ongoing appellate battles that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
The California Supreme Court in Escamilla v. Vannucci clarified that the one-year statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.6 applies only to claims by clients or intended beneficiaries against attorneys, while claims by non-clients--such as third-party malicious prosecution actions--are governed by the statute of limitations for the underlying cause of action.
Friday, June 6, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court clarified that under the federal National Environmental Policy Act, agencies are not required to assess the environmental effects of separate, future, or geographically distinct projects beyond their control, thereby affirming agency discretion in defining the act's scope.
Dairy farming in California's Central Valley, long a cornerstone of the region's economy but also a source of serious environmental and public health challenges, now stands at a crossroads--where collaboration between traditional dairies and lab-grown milk innovators offers a promising path toward sustainability, economic resilience, and community well-being.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
The outcome of Consumer Watchdog v. Insurance
Commissioner Lara will determine not only who bears the financial burden of
the next catastrophic wildfire, but also how much influence Californians retain
over the rules that shape their insurance market.
A little-noticed provision in the House's "One Big Beautiful Bill" threatens to strip federal courts of their contempt power for enforcing injunctions unless plaintiffs post security, marking an unprecedented erosion of judicial authority and a potential shield for the Trump Administration against legal accountability.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
In response to the impending expiration of key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, the House has advanced a sweeping tax proposal that includes major changes to Opportunity Zones, pass-through deductions, SALT caps, R&D expensing, and estate tax exemptions--signaling a pivotal moment for tax planning ahead of 2026.
In Lee v. Cardiff, a homeowner recovered over $475,000 after a contractor violated licensing laws on a high-end pool and landscaping project, but was denied attorneys' fees when the court ruled that most of the claims didn't arise solely from swimming pool construction as required by statute.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Drozd
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NEWS
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General News
Monday, June 30, 2025 |
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| San Francisco judge postpones ruling in whistleblower lawsuit accusing major banks of defrauding California taxpayers by inflating municipal bond rates, with billions in potential damages at stake. | |
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General News
Monday, June 30, 2025 |
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| Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer permits expedited discovery into possible Posse Comitatus Act violations, rejecting President Donald Trump's jurisdictional challenge, in a mixed ruling for California's fight against federalized National Guard deployment. | |
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General News
Monday, June 30, 2025 |
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| Over the last half century or so, millions more people have moved to greater Los Angeles. And during this same time, Angelenos have been consuming less water. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| No matter your stage in life or the size of your refund, there are ways you can use your refund to help reach your current and future financial goals. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| The DOJ's lawsuit pertains to a request for unredacted voter records after the U.S. Attorney General received a complaint over a mail-in ballot received by a non-citizen. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| Dr. Michael Wasilisin sues Therabody, alleging the company used his Theragun tip designs, breached their agreement, and denied him inventor credit and compensation, despite documented promises from founder Jason Wersland. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| Thirteen entertainment companies seek to join the Live Nation-Ticketmaster antitrust lawsuit, fearing competitors could access sensitive financial data without stronger protective order safeguards. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| While California is still No.1 in agricultural production among the states, generating about $60 billion a year, other sectors, such as technology, health care and logistics now play much larger roles in the state's economy. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| Ranch owners sue State Farm, alleging underpaid insurance claims for structures lost in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. State Farm says the homeowners' insurance did not cover buildings used for business. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles County judge allows Calabasas to test wildfire debris dumped in its landfill for hazardous materials, despite opposition from the county sanitation district, to ensure community safety. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| People who pay their rent on time can establish credit scores or significantly raise low scores if the payments are reported to credit bureaus, new research found. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| The ruling breathes new life into the Los Angeles commercial real estate company's counterclaims under the Sherman and Cartwright Acts, even as a copyright infringement trial looms. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| The businesses' attorney denies wrongdoing and says the case belongs in federal court due to constitutional issues and the involvement of a foreign bank. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| Testifying in the State Bar's ethics case against former Deputy City Attorney James Clark, attorney Paul R. Kiesel of Kiesel Law LLP insisted he acted at the city's direction and not on behalf of plaintiffs. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| A report last year from the Energy Department found AI could help increase the portion of the nation's electricity supply consumed by data centers from 4.4% to 12% by 2028. To meet this demand, some power plants are expected to burn more coal and natural gas. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Coal use has been declining for decades, but ending the use of the fuel isn't going to be easy, even in a place like California, which has ambitious climate change goals. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| MGA Entertainment urges dismissal of $71.5M verdict for infringing OMG Girlz's trade dress, arguing excessive punitive damages and lack of willfulness, seeking reduction or a fourth trial. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| The decision sends the matter back to the agency, which now faces renewed pressure to reconsider long-standing wastewater regulations. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Six unions seek a preliminary injunction against Trump's order exempting federal jobs from collective bargaining, arguing it is retaliation for their opposition to his policies. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Austin is known for live music, Texas' premier public university and being home to tech companies. It is also becoming a laboratory for autonomous vehicles. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Edison International seeks 45-day extension to dismiss shareholders' lawsuit alleging misleading wildfire mitigation claims, causing stock losses after 2025 Los Angeles County fire exposed deficiencies. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| State Farm is accused of underinsuring California wildfire victims by manipulating reconstruction estimates and pushing high-risk policies to the FAIR Plan, causing an insurance crisis. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| Prosecutors alleged John Wessman paid Mayor Steve Pougnet more than $200,000 between 2012 and 2014 to influence municipal decisions on development projects. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| After 6 1/2 years of denying any interest in running for president, Gavin Newsom has finally fessed up. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Union seeks to intervene in LA Sheriff Robert Luna's lawsuit against the oversight commission, aiming to protect deputies' privacy and bargaining rights from subpoenas seeking investigative files on use-of-force incidents. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| A Huntington Beach attorney defended the city's conduct during a tense May 6 council meeting after the ACLU of Southern California accused the mayor and city council of violating open meeting and free speech laws by restricting public comment. While denying any wrongdoing, city officials say they will revisit their public decorum policy in light of the legal challenge. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Required minimum distributions -- frequently referred to by the abbreviation RMDs -- can be painful when retirees have to sell assets in a falling market. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| A new legislative report shows retail theft has increased modestly in recent years, especially in large urban counties--though rates remain far below their 1990s peak. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| California's insurance regulator investigates State Farm's handling of January wildfire claims, amid concerns over underpayments and delays, potentially setting new standards for disaster-related insurance claims. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| There's one small bit of good news for college students heading to campus in the fall who are borrowing to fund their education: The rates on new federal loans will fall, though ever so slightly. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Some experts are worried that a recent uptick in unemployment for college graduates is a sign that companies are already using AI as a substitute for some entry-level workers. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Disbarred attorney Michael Avenatti was resentenced to just under eight years in prison Thursday for defrauding clients and committing tax violations, after the 9th Circuit vacated his original 14-year term and ordered a new hearing. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| California's authority to enforce stricter vehicle emissions rules is once again under fire--this time from a rarely used federal statute. Now, with President Donald Trump's latest push to block those waivers, state officials are taking the fight to court. | |
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General News
Monday, June 30, 2025 |
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| Central Valley Eden Environmental Defenders sue Capital Ready Mix, alleging toxic runoff into Sacramento River violates federal and state laws, seeking injunctive relief for ongoing environmental harm. | |
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General News
Friday, June 27, 2025 |
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| A lawsuit against Gehry Partners by a fired architect accuses the firm of discriminating against him because of his age, laying him off on the pretense of lack of work while others more than 20 years younger were retained for projects. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| The parents of 14-year-old Armando Morales, fatally stabbed outside Santa Ana High School, are seeking unlimited damages from the district, alleging school officials ignored repeated warnings about student safety. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge sanctioned Mayweather Boxing + Fitness defendants for discovery violations, citing inconsistent record explanations. Another case allows a fraud claim against Mayweather to proceed. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| The decision affirms the city's obligations under the state's housing element law and bolsters statewide efforts to address the housing crisis. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Seven men face federal charges for a $100M Brink's truck jewelry heist. Jewelers have sued, alleging Brink's lax security enabled the theft, while Brink's claims limited liability in ongoing litigation. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Newport Beach attorney Heidi Plummer says she was handcuffed and taken to an ICE processing center during a weekend operation in Santa Ana, despite her U.S. citizenship and public legal role. "There was no warning... no rhyme or reason," she says. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Federal judge reviews LA Alliance's motion for a receivership to oversee Los Angeles' homeless funding, as the city defends its progress toward 2022 settlement goals. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred says her firm has not been informed of a State Bar investigation, despite a media report citing allegations of restrictive contracts and steep contingency fee arrangements. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| San Francisco federal judge doubts basis for nonprofits' bid to join sanctuary jurisdictions' lawsuit against Trump's funding cuts, citing their inability to set policies. | |