GUEST COLUMNS
Friday, December 12, 2025
California's Senate Bill 440 takes effect Jan. 1, imposing new non-waivable dispute resolution rules on private construction contracts, including mandatory timelines for owner responses and the right to stop work for non-compliance.
Holiday rituals and hard-won lessons in war and peace remind us of what it means to come home.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
When the SEC comes knocking, corporate counsel must call in reinforcements, guard confidences, spot conflicts and tread carefully to protect both the company and themselves.
California's infrastructure boom is delivering new bike lanes and roadways at record speed -- but oversight hasn't kept pace. When facilities open with unlit sections, unmarked hazards, or unclear design changes, a troubling question emerges: Who's actually responsible?
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
From Halloween to New Year's, America's four major holidays form a deliberate cultural scaffold that lifts a diverse nation from welcoming strangers to honoring survival, strengthening intimate bonds, and finally embracing future possibility.
Liability insurers' use of catch-all language in Intellectual Property and Habitability exclusions -- designed to eliminate coverage for entire mixed lawsuits -- may conflict with California Insurance Code section 530.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
A $10,000 sanctions case revealed how deeply generative AI unsettles the legal system. The passion it inspires isn't new. Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics wrestled with the same anxieties about imitation, untrained power, and institutional fragility. Their wisdom offers a roadmap.
President Trump's pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of trafficking over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S., has drawn widespread criticism as contradictory to his simultaneous military escalation against drug traffickers.
Monday, December 8, 2025
California's legal market presents complex risks, and some firms explore international insurers, such as Lloyd's of London, as an alternative to domestic coverage.
Business cases turn on getting documents into evidence, so trial lawyers must beat hearsay objections by knowing what counts as operative documents, party admissions, or admissible business records -- and laying the foundation early.
Friday, December 5, 2025
Military bases previously renamed to remove Confederate associations have been renamed again to their original surnames, now honoring different individuals with the same last names who served in various American conflicts.
The IRS has launched electronic filing for § 83(b) elections via Form 15620, allowing founders and service providers to submit online while keeping the 30-day deadline and employer-copy requirement, though filers should be mindful of technical quirks, save PDF confirmations, and coordinate with their companies to ensure accuracy.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Meteoric rise of deepfake AI-generated content creates risks for attorneys.
Most plaintiffs in contingent fee cases must
report the entire settlement as income under Commissioner v. Banks, even
though their lawyer is paid a share, but with careful tax planning -- such as
using above-the-line deductions for qualifying claims -- they can usually avoid
paying tax on the portion of the recovery that goes to their attorney.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Despite equal ability, Black and Latino students are routinely denied early algebra access -- turning a curricular choice into a civil rights problem hiding in plain sight.
California law requires landlords to remediate hidden black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) and structural decay rather than merely covering it up.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Just as USDA acted to sustain WIC, it could -- within statutory bounds -- lawfully consider similar tools to bolster SNAP's contingency funding and help ensure benefit continuity.
California is facing a dual crisis as the engineered stone silicosis epidemic among immigrant workers grows -- now over 435 confirmed cases -- and courts struggle to manage hundreds of complex, coordinated lawsuits, creating both a public health and legal emergency.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Plans to convert Baldwin Hills from oil production to parks or housing overlook the constitutionally protected property rights of current owners, raising the prospect of regulatory overreach and the need for compensation under established law.
Mismanaging client funds -- through commingling, overdrafts, or poor recordkeeping--is the fastest route to serious State Bar discipline, making proper trust account management, including IOLTA compliance, essential for every lawyer.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The QSF regulations give claimants and their counsel broad flexibility -- there's no requirement to use a trust, but rather the opportunity to do so when it suits the situation.
Judges can enhance fairness and public trust by using respectful, clear and compassionate communication to humanize courtroom proceedings and foster a sense of justice for all participants.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Noland v. Land of the Free makes clear: AI can assist, but lawyers remain fully accountable for every word they file.
In probate law, only those with a genuine, sustained relationship or legal stake can petition to override another's autonomy, and casual acquaintances or well-meaning strangers do not have standing.
Monday, November 24, 2025
*Ramirez v. McCormack* confirms that suing opposing counsel for actions taken while representing their client -- including post-settlement advice -- is barred under California's anti-SLAPP statute, and failing to address both prongs of the motion can forfeit any defense.
Under new federal guidance, more than 3,000 rural tracts now qualify as opportunity zones, opening the door for investment in overlooked areas -- from California's Central Valley to remote corners of the country.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Broken or unstable utility vault covers and exposed wires on sidewalks across the U.S. create predictable, preventable hazards that current inspections and enforcement fail to address.
The Noland decision delivered a sharp warning to lawyers: use generative AI at your own risk, because only human judgment -- not predictive tools -- can ensure competent, ethical legal work.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
California's post-wildfire recovery efforts in early 2025 revealed both the promise and the pitfalls of its disaster laws -- exposing a system in urgent need of modernization as climate threats grow.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against transgender individuals this year, allowing bans on military service, healthcare and identity recognition. With key cases on transgender athletes approaching, the Court shows little inclination to protect them from discrimination.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
A recent amendment to California's data breach law imposes a firm 30-day notice deadline, limiting companies' discretion to postpone alerting residents to threats.
AI tools are transforming mediation practice, from document analysis to settlement predictions, but the distinctly human elements of trust-building, empathy and reading the room remain irreplaceable in resolving disputes.AI in mediation: The modern Prometheus?
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Unlike the masked Lone Ranger who upheld justice, today's masked ICE agents raise serious legal concerns as they operate more like villains than heroes.
If you're falsely imprisoned but not exonerated, your legal recovery may be taxable --highlighting a peculiar gap in how the tax code treats lost freedom.
Monday, November 17, 2025
In State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v.
Diblin, the California Court of Appeal reaffirmed that intentional conduct
cannot constitute an "occurrence" under a liability policy, holding that even
when a jury finds negligence, coverage is precluded if the injury stems from
intentional acts.
Plaintiffs' attorneys are increasingly turning to Washington's CEMA to challenge text-based refer-a-friend programs, drawn by its broad liability standards, statutory damages, and fee-shifting provisions.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Five years after Liu v. SEC, courts remain
split on how to apply its limits on disgorgement, leaving the SEC's most potent
remedy in need of Supreme Court clarification.
Trump calls up the National Guard in Illinois, citing "rebellion" and insufficient forces; courts and critics say there's no threat, raising 10th Amendment, federal-overreach and domestic-military concerns.
Judge Samantha P. Jessner
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NEWS
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General News
Friday, December 12, 2025 |
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| California Gov. Gavin Newsom, an all-but-certain candidate for president in 2028, jumped at the chance to address a forum of business executives and other A-list figures last week and burnish his credentials as President Donald Trump's most vocal critic. | |
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General News
Friday, December 12, 2025 |
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| The firm's revamped model embeds attorneys directly with CEOs and leadership teams, offering a more comprehensive alternative to traditional outsourced legal support. | |
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General News
Friday, December 12, 2025 |
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| Compton City Attorney Eric J. Perrodin resigned amid dueling lawsuits with the city over his office's authority, staffing, and alleged misconduct, ending a protracted dispute that included limits on using his official title. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
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| Starting in January, millions of disabled Americans will become eligible to save and invest for current expenses and future needs without jeopardizing their federal benefits like Medicaid. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
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| Former Lucid chief engineer sues for $10 million, alleges retaliatory firing after HR employee called him a Nazi. The company calls his claims "absurd" and instead cites legitimate reasons for termination. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
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| Cal Fire's cost-recovery suit over the 2024 Airport Fire alleges Orange County workers violated fire-safety rules and operated equipment during extreme weather conditions, triggering statutory presumptions of negligence. The county now has until Jan. 12 to respond. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 |
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| Filed in San Francisco Superior Court, the suit claims landlords outfitted rental units with smart-home devices that log when tenants come and go, track temperature settings, and feed data into analytics tools -- all without meaningful consent. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 |
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| By denying certiorari, the Supreme Court left intact a 5th District Court of Appeal decision holding that a generic wedding cake is not protected speech and cannot be withheld from same-sex customers under California's civil rights laws. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 |
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| California has long been at the forefront of employee-protection laws, and compensation transparency is no exception. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
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| Artificial intelligence is the hot new college major. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
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| A year after law school, first-chair trial lawyer Justin W. Shegerian won a $103 million verdict against Liberty Mutual for firing a longtime employee in retaliation for reporting ageist hiring practices, overcoming the company's misconduct defense at trial. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
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| The federal appeals court signaled Friday it may overturn an injunction blocking the Trump administration from taking actions to withhold or condition federal funds from so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. Judges appointed by the president pressed San Francisco's attorney on whether Trump's latest orders actually require agencies to cut funding, drawing a contrast with his 2017 directive previously ruled unconstitutional. | |
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General News
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
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| Paul Wieland believed a "smart" garage door should operate only over a local Wi-Fi network to protect a home's privacy, so he started building his own system to plug into his garage door. | |
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General News
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
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| In California's first talc bellwether trial, plaintiffs challenged Johnson & Johnson expert Brooke Howitt over her views on talc migration and cancer grading, prompting evidentiary strikes before closing arguments next week. | |
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General News
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles' chief negotiator, Matthew Szabo, testified the city met homelessness settlement reporting duties "to the extent possible," arguing data gaps stem from a separate agency's limits as Judge David Carter considers potential contempt. | |
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General News
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
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| When you retire, one of the biggest expenses you may be confronted with on a regular basis is health care. | |
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General News
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
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| A federal judge dismissed a class action alleging Alaska Airlines illegally reduced Flight Pass benefits, finding the contract allowed program changes and subscribers had already received all credits purchased before termination. | |
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General News
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
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| In a long-running dispute over coastal development, justices pressed attorneys on both sides about jurisdiction, delay, and whether recent amendments to San Luis Obispo County's Local Coastal Program have rendered the case effectively moot. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
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| Edison International argues it can't be liable for the Eaton Fire, asserting only its Southern California Edison subsidiary operated the equipment. The company cites prior wildfire cases where courts dismissed similar claims. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
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| The San Bernardino terrorist attack on Dec. 2, 2015 left 14 dead and shattered the sense of safety in the Inland Empire. Daily Journal reporter and former Army soldier Douglas Saunders reflects on the harrowing hours he spent inside the police perimeter -- and how the tragedy blurred the lines between battlefield instincts and journalistic duty. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
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| It will take more attention to research and the stories of detained immigrants for the public to understand the degree of medical harm resulting from Trump-era raids and arrests, to ensure it doesn't happen again. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
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| Jurors heard disputed testimony as Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said Prologis' warehouse runoff caused the 2021 Carson odor event, prompting objections and judicial limits on unadmitted investigative findings. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
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| A bot may soon be booking your vacation. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
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| The trial set to begin this week would have featured a Who's Who of current and former Court of Appeal justices. Ex-Justice William J. Murray Jr. faced allegations that he chronically delayed issuing decisions in his cases. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
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| The Trump administration is snapping up ownership shares of private companies it deems essential to national security. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge refused to certify a proposed class of homeowners seeking damages from Southern California Edison for widespread smoke and ash from the 2017 Thomas Fire, finding plaintiffs' expert evidence inadmissible. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
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| A congressional hearing last week in Los Angeles on the Trump Administration's immigration raids offered a searing look at a program that has been equal parts stupid and cruel. | |
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General News
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
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| The World Health Organization says air pollution is the biggest global environmental risk factor to human health. | |
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General News
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
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| A federal judge allowed Taylor Swift fans' core antitrust and unfair competition claims against Live Nation and Ticketmaster to proceed, while permanently dismissing negligence and fraud allegations stemming from the "Eras Tour" ticketing chaos. | |
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General News
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
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| Disability advocates claim racial disparities and soaring per-participant costs while supporters say the system fills gaps in mental health care. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
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| The U.S. economy in 2025 is split in two: Everything tied to artificial intelligence is booming. Just about everything else is not. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
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| Close-knit legal and behavioral health networks may be helping rural counties implement California's new mental health court more quickly than major metros. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
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| Plaintiffs' attorneys are increasingly sidestepping arbitration by filing so-called "headless" PAGA cases that omit individual claims -- a strategy that has produced a sharp split among California's appellate courts. Now the state Supreme Court has stepped in on its own motion to resolve whether workers may pursue non-individual PAGA claims without filing on their own behalf. The outcome could reshape labor litigation and invite renewed scrutiny from the U.S. Supreme Court. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
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| A group of prominent law professors has asked the state high court to probe a Nevada County prosecutor's alleged use of AI-generated citations, saying such errors pose grave risks to defendants and the integrity of judicial decisions. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
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| Advocates claim the EPA's delays on state air quality plans have allowed dangerous ozone pollution to persist in the West Mojave Desert and Denver region. Their suit seeks court-enforced action after years of inaction. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
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| Mortgages are not the only factor keeping many Americans out of the market, though the still-high rates do play a role. But so does a lack of new construction in much of the country, which is keeping home prices high. | |
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General News
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
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| The company's challenge to Wachtell Lipton's fee for enforcing Elon Musk's Twitter purchase ended abruptly Wednesday with a dismissal filed with prejudice. | |
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General News
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
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| San Francisco has, to the surprise of many and the continuing aggravation of a few, become "Waymo-pilled." | |
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General News
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
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| Innovation Technologies Partners sued Hulu, alleging infringement of eight patents covering targeted advertising, data collection, digital rights management, and streaming controls. Hulu defeated similar claims in 2024 in a patent challenge by Piranha Media. | |
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General News
Friday, December 12, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge advanced hearings for Palisades Fire victims seeking permission to file late government claims, rejecting state arguments that emergency action was unnecessary as petitioners warned of expiring noneconomic-damages rights. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
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| The legal profession's traditional billing model faces an existential threat from artificial intelligence, and firms and attorneys that fail to adapt to the technology will be replaced by those that do, according to Vidhya Prabhakaran, partner-in-charge of Davis Wright Tremaine's San Francisco office. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 |
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| A federal judge refused to dissolve an injunction governing LAPD's crowd-control weapons, saying the city's challenge to plaintiffs' standing must wait while appellate proceedings and renewed class certification efforts continue. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
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| Legal experts warn Netflix's planned $82.7 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition could shrink creative opportunities, reduce buyers, pressure talent compensation, and raise antitrust and AI-related concerns despite Netflix's assurances of industry benefits. | |
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General News
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
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| Jeffrey Lenkov's unpaid representation of Pete Rose did more than challenge Major League Baseball's ban on its all-time hits leader; it forged the philosophy behind Zelms Erlich Lenkov's rapid growth and his own shift into media, sports ownership and "must-see" cultural projects. | |
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General News
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge approved limited firefighter and state parks depositions in the Palisades Fire suit, allowing plaintiffs to probe claims that smoldering Lachman Fire embers persisted due to state wildfire management policies. | |
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General News
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles accused Judge David O. Carter of echoing plaintiffs' arguments in a contempt hearing over homeless shelter obligations, disputing his remarks as biased while the court scrutinized the city's compliance. | |
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General News
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
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| Thirty-three law firms deny responsibility for a leak of sealed records in Uber's sexual assault litigation as Judge Ethan Schulman weighs the company's failed bid to halt discovery amid ongoing confidentiality concerns. | |
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General News
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
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| Federal prosecutors are escalating tariff evasion and trade fraud investigations as rising duties, new enforcement task forces, and national security arguments reshape a rapidly evolving landscape likely headed for prolonged litigation and policy shifts. | |
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General News
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
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| Experts outline how a potential Chapter 9 by Los Angeles, L.A. County or Santa Monica would unfold, highlighting limits on judicial power, pension and creditor battles, and California's pre-filing safeguards. | |
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General News
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles, Santa Monica and L.A. County face mounting litigation, pension and budget pressures that raise the prospect of Chapter 9 "debt adjustment," recalling earlier California municipal insolvencies and reforms curbing costly filings. | |
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General News
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
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| Mounting wildfire liabilities, sexual-assault settlements, revenue losses and soaring legal payouts have intensified concerns that Los Angeles, L.A. County or Santa Monica could face insolvency and contemplate the once-unthinkable step of Chapter 9 bankruptcy. | |
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General News
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
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| L.A. County won dismissal of Alex Villanueva's defamation claims after a judge ruled the action arose entirely from protected activity and lacked evidence of actual malice. | |