Michael Carroll News
Appeals court says lawsuit over LAUSD's former COVID-19 vaccine mandate can go forward
Former employees of the Los Angeles Unified School District can pursue their legal objections to the district’s now-defunct COVID-19 vaccination policy as a result of a federal appeals court ruling handed down last week.
L.A. judge publicly censured over texts about potential witness sent to D.A.'s office
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has received a “severe” reprimand for sending text messages that the state Commission on Judicial Performance found were antithetical to her role as an impartial arbiter during the course of a murder trial.
State agency's actions on employee wage theft claims labeled 'grim,' 'inefficient'
The state agency that processes California employees’ wage theft claims against employers has 47,000 backlogged cases, an insufficient number of employers to do its job and only a 12% collection rate against companies, according to a new state audit.
Malibu couple wins legal fight to put up 'private property' sign behind beachfront home
After almost four years of litigation, California’s coastal land-use regulators have allowed a Malibu couple to put up a sign delineating their private beachfront property from the public beach near the waterline.
L.A. judge calls on Beverly Hills to turn over records in abortion clinic lease case
The city of Beverly Hills will have to turn over a trove of communications from City Council members and other officials as a result of a Los Angeles Superior Court decision involving an abortion clinic lease dispute.
Agricultural company sues labor board, challenges California law protecting farmworkers' union rights
The Wonderful Company has filed a lawsuit against California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Board challenging a law passed two years ago that gives farmworkers additional options to gain union representation and exercise collective bargaining rights.
Consumer Watchdog sees insurer-backed reforms as gateway to price gouging in California
California’s insurance commissioner is spearheading a plan this year billed as the “largest insurance reform since Proposition 103,” but consumer advocates dismiss the reform as a fast track to price gouging.
L.A. Superior Court limits enforcement of California zoning law designed to create more affordable housing
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has invalidated the state’s marquee law to increase the supply of affordable housing in California, finding that the 2021 measure violates the home-rule rights of charter cities.
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.