Legislation
New California food dye ban: Is it protection for kids or shady science?
California has enacted what’s billed as a first-in-the-nation measure restricting the use of several artificial food colors suspected of causing hyperactivity in children, but some scientific experts say the new law is based more on perceptions than science.
Attorney Complaints
California high court disbars Manhattan Beach attorney who mishandled client funds
Federal Court
Santa Barbara jury awards jet owner $19 million in insurance dispute involving Michael Avenatti
Federal Court
Judge OKs $2.3M deal to end Black Lives Matter class action vs Santa Monica
The lawsuit had accused Santa Monica police of excessive force in attempting to end riots that raged May 31-June 1, 2020, amid protests over the death of George Floyd. The city did not actively contest the lawsuit, but quickly settled
From Northern California Record
Hundreds of school districts cleared to keep up 'nuisance' lawsuit vs. social media companies
A federal judge said the core theory of allegations is the impact of compulsive use of the products marketed by the companies that own and operate Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, among other social media platforms alleged in the lawsuits to be "addictive" and harmful to society, and schools in particular.
From Northern California Record
Despite promising solutions, California officials are poised to use Prop 1 to simply throw $6 billion more at a homelessness problem already massive state spending has yet to solve
From WV Record
From WV Record
From Madison Record
From Northern California Record
California State Bar accuses immigrant-services business owner of offering legal services without license
For the second time, an immigration-services firm in El Monte has been seized by the State Bar of California for allegedly offering legal services without proper authorization.
DOJ official: Southern California law firm misused coronavirus relief funds
A Southern California law firm founded by the daughter of women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred has agreed to pay a settlement of more than $200,000 after providing false information to obtain coronavirus hardship funds from the federal government.
State Court
Former LAPD Officer Alleges Unlawful Termination Over Vaccine Mandate Against City of Los Angeles
A former LAPD officer is challenging her dismissal after refusing to comply with a city-wide COVID-19 vaccination mandate in Los Angeles County courts, citing personal beliefs and alleged procedural violations in handling her case
State Court
Plaintiff Alleges Former Employers Sensata Technologies Inc., Peak Technical Services L.P., Violated Wage Laws
Raul Contreras has filed a class action lawsuit against his former employers Sensata Technologies Inc., Peak Technical Services L.P., alleging they violated multiple labor laws including failing to pay minimum wages and overtime.
State Court
Resident Alleges Negligence Against Local Police Over Identity Theft Reports
A Santa Paula resident has filed a lawsuit against the city’s police department alleging negligence in handling identity theft reports which led to severe emotional distress.
State Court
Plaintiff Trustee Alleges Fraud Against Nonprofit Corporation Over Property Fees
In a lawsuit filed on October 16th in Ventura County Superior Court, Michael Goland accuses several entities including Las Casitas Homeowners Association of fraudulently claiming homeowner fees on a disputed property not legally part of their...
State Court
Former Business Associate Alleges Defamation Against Flower Company Owner
A defamation lawsuit has been filed by William G. Dickson against Lidia's Flowers Inc., accusing them of publishing false statements that damaged his reputation following an incident in Los Angeles County on August 24th. Filed in Ventura Superior Court on October 8th, the case seeks compensatory damages totaling $35,000 plus additional costs from Roberto Ayala and others involved.
State Court
Former Employee Alleges Record Technology Inc.'s CEO Mismanaged Profit-Sharing Funds
Jorge Rocha has filed a lawsuit against Record Technology Inc., accusing its CEO Donald MacInnis of fraudulently mismanaging his profit-sharing plan contributions during his nearly four-decade employment with the company. The suit seeks damages and judicial intervention to recover allegedly diverted funds.
State Court
Karpaty & Gemignani LLC accused of Violating Disability Access Laws
A visually-impaired woman sues Karpaty & Gemignani LLC for failing to make their website accessible under disability rights laws. Filed in Ventura County Superior Court on October 7th by attorney Joseph R. Manning Jr., the lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and damages due to alleged violations of ADA and UCRA statutes.
State Court
Plaintiffs Allege RV Manufacturer Violated Consumer Protection Laws
A recent appellate court decision highlights a significant consumer protection issue involving a major RV manufacturer accused of violating California laws through unenforceable contract terms aimed at moving legal disputes out-of-state.The plaintiffs argue these practices undermine essential statutory protections.
State Court
Plaintiff accuses Financial Institution Trustee Company over Quiet Title Dispute
In a recent appellate court decision dated October 3rd, Cherie Brown lost her appeal against Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., which she accused of wrongful foreclosure practices involving complex mortgage transactions dating back to her property's purchase in 2007 from Youval Zive with ties to Washington Mutual loans.
Live Nation can't use 'mass arbitration' rules to beat class action over Ticketmaster fees, appeals court says
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said a provision in Ticketmaster's user agreement that would force customers with legal claims against the company into so-called 'mass arbitration,' in a bid to ward off trial lawyers' new costly litigation tactics, was 'unconscionable' under California law and could not be saved by federal law
Meta, social media operators can't pull plug on states' suit over young people's 'addiction'
An Oakland federal judge said a bipartisan coalition of nearly three dozen state attorneys general had provided enough evidence to this point that Meta and other social media companies knew their products were addictive to young people and misled the public about the risks, leading to societal harms
Stanford, Cal Tech, USC among top U.S. universities hit with class action over financial aid practices
A new class action lawsuit says some of America's top colleges and universities have for nearly two decades violated U.S. antitrust law by collectively making it harder for students to obtain need-based financial aid by forcing them to include non-custodial parent income on applications
California, enviro activists hit ExxonMobil with lawsuits over plastics recycling
The state's new lawsuit accuses ExxonMobil of misleading Americans into believing recycling is a "cure-all" for plastic waste. ExxonMobil says the lawsuit is just an attempt by the state to absolve itself of blame for flooding landfills and the environment with plastic
Judge: Lawsuits over supposedly toxic acne medicines blocked by federal drug safety, labeling law
A L.A. federal judge has tossed class action lawsuits against the makers of Proactiv and other acne medicines that contain benzoyl peroxide. The judge said the FDA has declared the medications safe, so plaintiffs can't cite a controversial private lab's findings that they are not
Hundreds of school districts cleared to keep up 'nuisance' lawsuit vs. social media companies
A federal judge said the core theory of allegations is the impact of compulsive use of the products marketed by the companies that own and operate Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, among other social media platforms alleged in the lawsuits to be "addictive" and harmful to society, and schools in particular.
CA law blocking religious schools from special ed funds violates religious freedom, appeals court says
U.S. Ninth Circuit Appeals Court said California can't show its discrimination vs religious schools is "neutral." Three devout Orthodox Jewish families can continue their suit against the state for allegedly forcing them to choose between their faith and obtaining educational services for their disabled children
Ex-BART workers fired over Covid vax mandate should get $7.8M, jury says
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District should pay at least $1.1 million to six workers who were fired in 2022 after BART repeatedly refused to grant religious exemptions and accommodations to workers who said their faith prevented them from complying with BART's Covid shot mandate
Phillips 66 to close Los Angeles oil refinery, raising concerns about state's gas supplies
Phillips 66 Co. will shutter its oil refinery near Los Angeles Harbor in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to a company statement that has raised concerns about California’s ability to maintain its supply of cleaner-burning gas blends.
Appeals panel: U.S. can't apply Asylum Transit Rule to illegal immigrants already at the border
A federal appeals court has blocked the Biden administration from forcing illegal immigrants who already were turned away from the border to first apply for "asylum" in Mexico before requesting the same from the U.S. A dissenting judge said the ruling "twists" U.S. asylum law to extend to people who haven't even arrived in the country
Orange County Superior Court judge pleads not guilty to murdering his wife
An Orange County Superior Court judge has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 65-year-old wife with a firearm last year in their Anaheim Hills home.
Polls in Bay Area, elsewhere in CA show big support for Prop 36, despite Dem leaders' opposition
Prop 36 would restore to police and prosecutors powers to address property and drug crimes that had been stripped by away 10 years ago by Prop 47, which helped to fuel California's current crime problems and was strongly supported by Kamala Harris
New California food dye ban: Is it protection for kids or shady science?
California has enacted what’s billed as a first-in-the-nation measure restricting the use of several artificial food colors suspected of causing hyperactivity in children, but some scientific experts say the new law is based more on perceptions than science.
California extends 'take-home' asbestos liability to case of brother who lived elsewhere
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California Supreme Court decision limiting “take-home” asbestos liability to people who live in the same house doesn’t preclude a man from suing over claims he was exposed to asbestos when visiting at his brother’s house.
Court overturns $3 million punitive damages award in case of Old Spice talcum powder
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court reversed a $3 million punitive-damages award against a former supplier of cosmetic talc, ruling there wasn’t evidence the company’s executives knew their product contained dangerous amounts of asbestos when the plaintiff claimed his exposure.
Plaintiff Alleges Former Employers Sensata Technologies Inc., Peak Technical Services L.P., Violated Wage Laws
Raul Contreras has filed a class action lawsuit against his former employers Sensata Technologies Inc., Peak Technical Services L.P., alleging they violated multiple labor laws including failing to pay minimum wages and overtime.
Judge OKs $2.3M deal to end Black Lives Matter class action vs Santa Monica
The lawsuit had accused Santa Monica police of excessive force in attempting to end riots that raged May 31-June 1, 2020, amid protests over the death of George Floyd. The city did not actively contest the lawsuit, but quickly settled
Biz groups, Dems announce deal to reform law that spawned thousands of 'shakedown' suits vs employers
Under the deal to reform the Private Attorney General Act, a coalition of business groups would agree to withdraw a ballot measure that would have largely gutted PAGA. Reports showed PAGA generated lawsuits worth $10B in payouts from employers in the past 10 years, with big money for lawyers, little real benefit for workers
UNITE HERE Local 11 continues to target California hospitality employers with recall law, latest fine hits Hyatt Regency Long Beach for $4.8 million
A few months ago, airline catering company Flying Food Group (FFG) was one of many California-based hospitality groups to be targeted by state lawmakers trying to enforce a union-backed bill that affects the rehiring process in the hospitality industry. UNITE HERE Local 11 Union was instrumental in getting the recall law passed and is now using it as a weapon to attack other employers they are bargaining with. The latest hotel to be targeted is the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach.