GUEST COLUMNS
Thursday, April 17, 2025
President Trump's repeal of a 2024 rule halts mandatory crypto transaction reporting to the IRS, but crypto remains taxable as property, requiring accurate reporting of gains, losses, and income to avoid penalties.
In the aftermath of Los Angeles wildfires, policyholders must navigate complex insurance challenges to secure fair compensation and rebuild their lives - here's what you need to know.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A settlement may feel like the end of conflict,
but without careful planning, enforcement mechanisms, and foresight, it can
quickly unravel into renewed hostilities and litigation.
By providing junior associates with hands-on trial experience and meaningful roles in high-stakes business disputes, firms can foster growth, build successful teams, and achieve impactful results, as demonstrated by a recent case that resulted in a $28.5 million jury verdict.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
As design patents grow in popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and strong remedies, recent court rulings have sharpened the focus on how clearly patent drawings must define an invention, setting new boundaries for what constitutes indefiniteness in design patent law.
As California pursues its 2045 clean electricity goal, local agencies and utilities are navigating legal, technological, and policy challenges to balance grid reliability and decarbonization.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Effective payor-provider mediations require meticulous preparation, including detailed claims spreadsheets, expert input, and clear communication, with careful attention to approaches for claim grouping and productive participation.
Children sexually abused in foster care face barriers to justice when the law shields social workers under discretionary immunity without examining if meaningful discretion was actually exercised.
Friday, April 11, 2025
While technology offers efficiency, in-person
interactions are crucial for building trust and resolving emotionally charged
disputes, particularly in cases involving deeper personal stakes.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
In L & S Framing Inc. v. California
Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board, the Court of Appeal upheld
the agency's interpretation of its regulations, emphasizing that administrative
agencies' interpretations of their own rules are entitled to significant
deference, even when contested by strong arguments from the opposing party.
President Trump's recent executive order imposing universal tariffs of 10%, with higher rates for certain trading partners, raises significant legal and economic concerns, particularly over its questionable constitutional authority, its potential to harm American consumers, and its broader impact on global trade relations.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A recent court ruling raises new questions about the scope of liability for owners and contractors when subcontractor employees are involved in incidents away from the construction site.
Governor Newsom's efforts to shield California companies from foreign retaliatory tariffs by working directly with foreign governments could violate the Logan Act.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport members of Tren de Aragua without due process is an overreach of executive power, undermining constitutional rights and facing significant legal challenges.
The collision between the ancient practice of legal reasoning and AI algorithms that can simulate it with uncanny precision - but without understanding what the law fundamentally is - raises profound questions about the future of justice itself.
Monday, April 7, 2025
As the interstate abortion legal battle intensifies, a legal expert examines potential scenarios Louisiana might pursue after New York's refusal to extradite a doctor - raising questions about federal power, state sovereignty, and the constitutional limits of enforcing abortion laws across state lines.
The devastating January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles have intensified an already severe construction labor shortage, delaying rebuilding efforts, driving up costs, and creating legal challenges that require careful planning, contract protections, and compliance oversight to navigate successfully.
Friday, April 4, 2025
The use of AI in judicial decision-making raises concerns about transparency, ethical reasoning, and the potential erosion of judicial legitimacy
College sports are changing fast with NIL compensation and Title IX compliance in flux. Schools must navigate shifting federal guidance, including presidential transitions, and ensure equity in funding allocation to avoid legal risks.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
AI's role in authorship raises questions about ownership and copyright protection in both Europe and the U.S.
Successful mediation in intellectual property cases requires IP practitioners to complete five critical tasks: creating a candid list of best and worst facts, sharing these with the client, anticipating tough questions from the mediator, conducting a realistic settlement value analysis, and preparing to listen, learn, and negotiate.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners installing propane tanks in a landslide zone designated as a Very High Fire Severity Zone may face strict liability under the ultrahazardous activity standard, given the significant fire risk, potential for catastrophic harm, and the inappropriateness of propane storage in such a hazardous location.
The Federal Appeals Court decision marks a pivotal moment in secular recognition of religious arbitration.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The CSLB is tightening enforcement with new laws on "paper" subcontractors, extended criminal statute of limitations, and stricter supervision requirements, making compliance crucial to avoid penalties like license suspension, fines, and criminal charges.
Recent court rulings and proposed bill SB690 are pushing back against CIPA lawsuits targeting website technologies, like IP address collection, potentially reducing future cases.
Monday, March 31, 2025
In City and County of San Francisco v. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (2025), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down
generic receiving water limitations in Clean Water Act permits, potentially
reducing liability for public agencies but raising concerns about future water
quality enforcement.
California's 2024 PAGA amendments expand employers' ability to cure Labor Code violations but create a complicated early evaluation conference process that may prove more costly than resolving claims through private mediation.
Friday, March 28, 2025
Amid tariff uncertainty and market chaos, thoughtless 'copy and paste' M&A approaches will prove problematic as standard contract terms take on non-ordinary meanings.
Despite California's mandated implicit bias training, little progress has been made in addressing systemic discrimination affecting women and marginalized groups in our courtrooms.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
The Rhode Island case SCLS Realty v. Town of
Johnston brings the issue of "pretext" back into the spotlight,
as property owners challenge the Town's use of eminent domain to block
affordable housing development.
California and Florida's differing responses to the insurance crisis show how crucial oversight and transparency are for protecting policyholders and market stability, as highlighted by a recent Florida investigation.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
California's new Senate Bill 940, effective January 1, 2025, expands discovery rights in arbitration, aligning them with California court procedures, but raises significant legal questions about its scope, conflicts with federal law, and the burden on arbitrators to manage increased discovery requests.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), starting in 2023, targets carbon-heavy imports like steel and cement, presenting both challenges and opportunities for California exporters as they navigate evolving climate rules and trade tensions.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Trump's executive orders targeting law firms threaten the legal profession, stifle political opposition, and limit rights enforcement - plaintiff lawyers are ready to fight for what Big Law won't.
Expanding the concept of diversity beyond race to include other important factors can continue to build diverse and inclusive teams in the workplace while complying with legal standards.
Monday, March 24, 2025
In 2024, legal services ads hit $164 million in LA, part of a 39% national rise, fueling aggressive marketing, third-party funding, and straining California's economy and courts.
A class action lawsuit alleges Google generative AI scraper vacuums up creators' rights and royalties for copyrighted works.
Friday, March 21, 2025
The distinction between a court's holding and dicta can be difficult to navigate, as seen in cases like Andrew v. White, where multiple reasons for a decision are offered, with some being binding and others merely persuasive.
The United States Supreme Court's unsigned order in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition hints that the conservative majority may have second thoughts about its expansion of presidential immunity.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
The Shehyn v. Ventura County Pub. Works
Agency allows property owners to pursue inverse condemnation claims
against water agencies if they suffer disproportionate damage from water system
risks, challenging the prior "invited water" defense.
Despite the contentious history of the joint employer rule during administrative transitions, the current regulation is unlikely to undergo significant changes in the near future.
Plaintiffs’ lawyer Michael Carrillo (Courtesy of Carrillo Law Firm)
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NEWS
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| The spiraling cost of housing in California has affected virtually every facet of life. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| Two online casino companies sue Ben Travis Law and Kind Law, alleging the firms filed hundreds of baseless arbitration claims using a deceptive social media campaign to coerce settlements. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| A State Bar witness testifies that Los Angeles officials, including former Deputy City Attorney James Clark, orchestrated a collusive settlement in a ratepayer lawsuit, aiming to silence allegations of misconduct raised by a San Diego plaintiffs' attorney. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| Creating a stronger future for the Salton Sea depends on our unity, especially as we navigate the uncertainties of the lithium industry, and as the state prepares to disburse $10 billion from the climate bond that California voters passed in November. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| Gucci's alleged failure to pay arbitration fees on time could lead to a class action lawsuit, with claims its website misused cookies, violating user privacy despite opt-out settings. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| The owners of a mobile home park that straddles two Orange County cities say California lawmakers unconstitutionally targeted them with rent control legislation. After a 9th Circuit revival, their case is being watched for its broader implications in housing and targeting laws. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| In 1971 California's Supreme Court issued one of its most important and far-reaching decisions, declaring that the state's system of financing public schools -- primarily via locally levied property taxes -- was unconstitutionally unfair. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| When a tenant missed his eviction deadline after a ceiling collapse, he found himself lost in a legal system stacked against the unrepresented. Now, a sweeping Stanford Law study is driving reform in L.A. County eviction courts, highlighting the access-to-justice gap and offering concrete solutions--many already in motion. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali has allowed two civil sexual abuse cases to proceed against the Archdiocese of San Francisco, a move expected to pressure the church and its insurers into serious settlement talks. The trials, once halted by the diocese's Chapter 11 filing, are now set to resume in June 2025. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| OpenAI seeks to crush a rival's trademark in Oakland federal court, accusing founder Guy Ravine of fraud. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers faces a high-stakes AI identity battle. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| California defends climate disclosure laws against free speech challenge | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| A month from now, Gov. Gavin Newsom must reveal a revised version of the $322.3 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year that he proposed in January. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| A mother sues KSX Enterprise and Golden Star in Los Angeles, claiming a Scorch Torch lighter should have had a lock to keep her toddler from starting a fire that killed his brother. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| Prosecutors said Dr. Karim Arabi concealed his involvement in the company, Abreezio, while serving as vice president of R&D at Qualcomm, violating his employment agreement and defrauding his employer out of tens of millions of dollars. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| A Superior Court judge has ruled that Huntington Beach can require voter ID in municipal elections, rejecting the state's legal challenge and setting up a high-stakes appeal over the balance of local and state authority in California election law. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb issued a preliminary injunction Monday allowing Anchor Stone Christian Church to move forward with renovations for worship services at a Santa Ana property it's owned since 2022. The court found the church is likely to prevail on claims under federal law that prohibits discrimination against religious groups in land use decisions. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| Although the EEOC guidance does not have the effect of law, following its guidelines will help employers continue implementing their DEI programs without incurring legal liability. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| OHLA USA Inc. sues Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District, claiming inadequate plans and delays in a water treatment project. The company is seeking payment after contract termination in 2025. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| Paper checks issued for tax refunds, Social Security payments and other government benefits have been dwindling and will soon be eliminated, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| Ten insurers and a shareholder sue Southern California Edison, alleging its powerlines sparked the Eaton Fire, claiming negligence and mismanagement amid a history of wildfire-related failures. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| In the charred landscapes left behind by the Los Angeles wildfires, a persistent sign of life has transfixed locals: trees. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| A new antitrust suit claims Aetna, Cigna and others colluded with Zelis Healthcare to illegally suppress payments to out-of-network providers, sparking a third-class action in a week. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| Life in and around MacArthur Park, a once-venerated Los Angeles center, had gone alarmingly awry. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| A former Grubhub driver's lawsuit, deeming drivers as employees, heads to trial April 9 to set the amount of unpaid wages from 2014-2020, amid disputes over last-minute damage calculations. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| The General Services Administration has canceled its $177 million sale of the 90-acre Ziggurat site in Orange County to Hilco Development Services following a lawsuit by second-place bidder Hoag Memorial Hospital, which alleged auction misconduct. Hilco now plans to challenge the reversal, escalating a high-stakes legal battle over one of the region's most sought-after parcels. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| Agoura Hills defeats developer's lawsuit as judge upholds permit denial for a mixed-use project, citing zoning compliance and affordable housing priorities. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| Signature Resolution strengthens its statewide presence by joining forces with Common Ground Resolutions and adding two retired Kern County judges and a veteran trial attorney to its panel. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| Californians accused of crimes have the right to an appointed defense attorney if they can't afford to hire their own. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| Veteran defense attorney James E. Blatt has asked a judge to exclude a Marsy's Law attorney from criminal proceedings, citing alleged threatening calls, antisemitic social media posts, and escalating harassment. Antonio Villegas, who represents the child victim's family, says he was reacting to years of racial bias. The clash underscores growing concerns over civility--and the role of victims' attorneys--in California criminal courts. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| City Controller Kenneth Mejia has repeatedly warned Mayor Karen Bass and city council members that the city was overspending vis-à-vis revenues, creating a growing structural deficit. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| The team enhances the firm's capabilities in cutting-edge technology disputes, from AI and blockchain to semiconductors and trade secrets. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| An appellate panel will hear arguments Wednesday on whether to block parts of SB 976, a California law requiring parental consent before social media platforms can send personalized notifications to minors. The case has drawn national attention - and bipartisan amicus support - as a flashpoint in the debate over online harms, free speech, and government regulation of technology companies. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| If you haven't filed your return for 2024, it's time to get started. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| Two California law firms--Teresa Rhyne Law Group and Carmel & Naccasha--have entered a mutual of counsel agreement, combining strengths in estate planning, charitable giving, probate, and real estate to better serve high-net-worth clients across the state. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| A 9th Circuit panel reversed the dismissal of a class action against Bayer AG over its Roundup weed killer, ruling that allegations about dangerous chemical levels were enough to survive the pleading stage. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| A new analysis shows how countries around the world are rapidly adding solar and wind capacity, now cheaper and more reliable than ever. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| Edison shareholders sue, alleging neglected equipment and misleading claims led to the Eaton Fire, as the utility faces over 130 lawsuits for the deadly January blaze in Eaton Canyon. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| A Chatsworth jury granted $36.4M to a motorist left with chronic health issues after a crash, including funds for her dog's care, in a rare high award for the area. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 17, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles County jury awarded $48 million to victims of a child predator teacher who they found was allowed to molest children for 15 years despite complaints to the district and principal. The case made new law and saw a motion to disqualify the judge. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| A former Tesla engineer's defamation battle with Elon Musk isn't over. The 9th Circuit reversed a federal judge's decision to confirm a zero-dollar arbitration award, potentially reopening the door for claims against the automaker and its CEO--and setting new precedent on arbitration enforcement. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
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| Federal judge sentences Tom Girardi's form accounting chief for "symbiotic" embezzlement schemes that "hastened the firm's demise." | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| Former LA Deputy City Attorney James Clark orchestrated a sham lawsuit to shield the city from a billing fiasco, risking disbarment as testimony unfolds in State Bar court. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| The Douglas Emmett property company battles tenants' bid to dismiss their appeal, arguing a judge's ruling against mass evictions at Barrington Plaza remains contested despite rent collection claims. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 10, 2025 |
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| A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel expressed concern Tuesday over U.S. District Judge David O. Carter's far-reaching order to evict leaseholders from the West LA VA campus and prioritize veterans housing. While the court acknowledged the VA's failings, judges warned the scope of Carter's injunction may have overstepped judicial bounds. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| CoStar and a former employee were cleared of trade secrets claims after Move Inc. voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit, ending a year-long legal battle with no settlement. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 |
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| L.A. County's $4 billion settlement with 6,800 abuse survivors from MacLaren Hall and probation facilities marks a historic apology and reform effort, pending approval. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge favored franchisees claiming Floyd Mayweather's fitness brand defrauded them of $8M, sustaining demurrers against his associates, a day after Mayweather won in a separate case. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| A marine advocacy group accuses the U.S. Department of the Interior of violating laws by allowing a Santa Barbara oil site to reopen with outdated plans, risking environmental disaster. | |
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General News
Thursday, April 3, 2025 |
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| A bill to ban weaponized consumer robots passed a key state Senate committee Tuesday -- but not before a heated debate over whether law enforcement should be exempt, with critics warning of a dangerous expansion of police power. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| Prosecutors have not said why Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam P. Schleifer was fired Friday --just one hour after a far-right activist called for his removal over past anti-Trump posts. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
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| A federal judge challenges Santa Ana's rejection of a small church's use of an office property, questioning why a larger church operates across the street under similar zoning rules. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| U.S. district judge rips Los Angeles for unfulfilled homeless promises and untracked millions, urging Mayor Karen Bass to act fast as the city faces scrutiny over a 2022 housing deal. | |