Michael Carroll News
Restaurant industry critical of state's interpretation of new California law barring 'hidden fees' on goods
Attorney General Rob Bonta has served up an unappetizing interpretation of a new California measure designed to do away with junk fees on goods and services, according to the state’s restaurant industry. Bonta's office has indicated that interpretation could expose restaurants to lawsuits and official enforcement actions.
California officials enter overdose-treatment drug deal with company that had faced opioid claims
A pharmaceutical company that has been accused of profiting from the sale of opioids is poised to enter into a decade-long agreement with California officials to provide emergency medicine for the treatment of opioid overdoses.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit filed on behalf of California children challenging federal climate-change policies
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed on behalf of 18 California children that alleges federal climate-change policies discriminate against minors because the brunt of the resulting health risks will be assumed by children rather than adults.
Allstate could resume writing homeowner policies in California— if future risks are considered
Allstate is signaling that it is willing to write new homeowner policies in California once again, provided that regulators implement reforms such as allowing future wildfire modeling– a position that dovetails with the insurance commissioners' reform plans for 2024.
Texas-based firm expands patent-infringement litigation to California businesses
A Texas-based company that has filed 46 patent-infringement lawsuits over the past three years filed four such lawsuits in California in April, raising concerns about an expansion of intellectual-property litigation against retailers.
California bill to protect children from social media risks would promote lawsuits, critics say
A California bill that critics say would lead to an avalanche of frivolous lawsuits being filed against social media companies unanimously passed a key California Assembly panel last month.
Orange County Water District, other agencies sue chemical manufacturers PFAS in water
The lawsuit uses new federal drinking water standards, which manufacturers say is based on questionable science
Attorney and ethics official for the Los Angeles district attorney accused of 11 felonies
A Los Angeles attorney and ethics advisor to county District Attorney George Gascón has been charged by the state Attorney General’s Office with 11 felonies involving the unauthorized use of sensitive peace officer files.
Law students' meeting at Loyola Marymount disrupted by pro-Hamas protesters, antisemitic slurs
Loyola Marymount University is investigating an increase in antisemitic insults and other hate speech on campus in the wake of a meeting of the Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA) that ended early after pro-Palestinian protesters “harassed and bullied” attendees.
Disability services group director says PAGA lawsuits are damaging small businesses, nonprofits
A California law that allows individuals to file civil lawsuits against employers to resolve state Labor Code disputes needs to be overhauled this year to end trial-attorney shakedowns of small business and nonprofits, according to a disability services advocate.
2 more property insurers decide to bail out of California due to escalating costs
The California Department of Insurance is downplaying the decision by two more property insurers to bow out of the state’s insurance market, saying that the companies’ market share is minimal.
Former Trump attorney's lawyer on disbarment: 'inherently' unfair to ban 'presumed-innocent defendant from being able to earn the funds' to pay for 'enormous' legal defense
A California State Bar judge is recommending the disbarment of John Eastman, former attorney to President Donald Trump, for his involvement in alleged misconduct stemming from efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Second Amendment rights group sues California over restriction on out-of-state residents carrying guns
A gun owners rights advocacy group has filed a federal lawsuit against California’s attorney general in an effort to challenge a state law that is “unconstitutionally restrictive” and offers no avenue for out-of-state residents in California to carry firearms in public.
Redondo Beach attorney, councilman suspended from law practice for 2 years over misappropriation of funds
The California Supreme Court has suspended a Redondo Beach attorney specializing in employment litigation from practicing law for two years over what the California State Bar said was a “major misappropriation of client funds.”
Toddler, baby bibs contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals, new Prop. 65 lawsuit alleges
An environmental services company known for filing Proposition 65 lawsuits in California is suing an Arizona baby products company, alleging that some of its baby and toddler bibs contain so-called “forever” chemicals that plaintiffs say have been linked to cancer.
Former CEO sues entertainment attorney for defamation in United Talent Agency case
The former CEO of a media marketing company has filed a $125 million defamation lawsuit against a Los Angeles attorney known for representing celebrity clients in an ongoing war of words involving the entertainment giant United Talent Agency Inc.
Environmental group sues U.S. Energy Department over plans to extend life of Diablo Canyon nuclear plant
An environmental group is suing the U.S. Department of Energy over its decision to award $1.1 billion in federal funds to keep a Central California nuclear plant operating beyond its expected closure date in 2025.
Former State Bar official`s ghost-writing of attorney discipline reports raises conflict-of-interest concerns
A former California State Bar deputy executive director ghost-wrote seven attorney discipline case reports that were supposed to be managed by independent outside counsel to avoid appearances of conflicts of interest, a legal investigation concluded.
President of the California FAIR Plan: California insurance market one 'major event' away from statewide financial assessment
California’s property insurer of last resort is a single disaster away from imposing an assessment on the state’s policyholders to pay the resulting insurance claims – creating uncertainties in an industry that says it is already in crisis.
Open-records advocates criticize proposed redactions of attorney names linked to DWP billing scandal
Federal investigators are improperly trying to redact the names of top former Los Angeles city officials from court documents related to a Department of Water and Power (DWP) billing scandal that “shattered public confidence” in the legal profession, open-records advocates say.