Michael Carroll News
Rep. Darrell Issa: Litigation transparency bill will deter 'bad actors' in civil suits
A Southern California congressman has introduced a measure to require the disclosure of third-party litigation financing agreements in civil litigation, saying it would bring needed transparency to an unregulated practice.
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 court hands Orange County Water District legal win in dispute over groundwater management
The Orange County Water District’s complex rules governing the pumping of groundwater in the region have been affirmed by a state appeals court after a decade-long legal dispute with a public agency that extracts water from the basin.
Disbarred California attorney given 5-year probation sentence in cryptocurrency scheme
A federal judge in Nevada has sentenced a disbarred California attorney to five years of probation and restitution amounting to nearly $14 million over the former lawyer’s involvement in a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
Monsanto agrees to pay city of Los Angeles $35 million to settle PCB lawsuit
Monsanto Co. has agreed to pay $35 million to settle a city of Los Angeles lawsuit that sought to hold the agrochemical firm accountable for manufacturing and selling chemical compounds decades ago that contaminated L.A.-area waterways.
Science behind California stem cell clinic therapies comes under legal scrutiny
A recent appeals court decision opens the door for the federal Food and Drug Administration to regulate a procedure offered at several California stem cell clinics that critics say is unproven and potentially harmful.
Federal judge blocks new California law restricting political 'deepfake' videos
A federal judge has barred California officials from enforcing key provisions of a new law designed to regulate “deepfake” images and videos generated through artificial intelligence that could cause confusion or spread misinformation during election campaigns.
State Bar seizes immigration services office in El Cajon, alleges unauthorized practice of law
An immigration services office in El Cajon has been seized by the State Bar of California, which alleges that the owner of the business has been misrepresenting herself as an attorney on immigration and family law issues.
Albertsons agrees to pay nearly $4 million to settle lawsuit alleging overcharging of grocery customers
Albertsons, Vons and their affiliates have agreed to pay nearly $4 million to settle a civil lawsuit filed by seven California district attorneys alleging false advertising, excessive pricing and unfair competition.
Riverside man who ran in 'Tough Mudder' obstacle race sues organizer over rashes, vomiting
A Riverside resident is suing organizers of last year’s “Tough Mudder” obstacle course race in Sonoma County, alleging that non-potable water sources used at the event caused serious bacterial infections leading to skin rashes and lesions on his body.
Attorney General Bonta: 'We travel,' use jet fuel in wake of new ExxonMobil lawsuit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta flew to New York for an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” last month to discuss his latest lawsuit challenging ExxonMobil’s recycling efforts but found himself on the defensive over his own contributions to climate change.
L.A. district attorney: Lawyer facing felony embezzling charge undermined 'integrity of entire legal profession'
A Los Angeles divorce attorney has been charged with four felony counts after allegedly embezzling $4.8 million from a client trust fund during a two-year period between the fall of 2015 and spring of 2017.
GSK, plaintiffs in 2 Zantac cases in California reach confidential settlements
The pharmaceutical company that manufactured the popular heartburn medication Zantac has settled with two California plaintiffs who brought lawsuits alleging the active ingredient in Zantac, ranitidine, caused their cancers.
California lawmakers OK attorney licensing fee hike to better police attorneys in the state
Funding and program reforms coupled with an $88 hike in the annual dues for California attorneys will allow the State Bar of California to better protect clients’ trust funds and mete out appropriate discipline to lawyers who defy ethics rules.
Video creator sues state of California over new laws on political 'deepfakes'
A YouTuber who created political satire videos of Vice President Kamala Harris using artificial intelligence is suing California officials to stop the enforcement of new state laws designed to remove “deepfake” images and videos from social media platforms.
New study points to danger of fabricated, AI-generated scientific papers on legislation, politics
Academic studies about health issues, the environment and computing are increasingly susceptible to artificial intelligence-driven fabrications, putting the quality of scientific research, such as that which underlies legal arguments, at risk, new research suggests.
3-judge panel backs reservoir that will provide new water supplies for Southern California
A three-judge appeals court panel has ruled in support of state officials’ plans to build a new water reservoir in Northern California, rejecting plaintiffs’ arguments that the environmental review process was flawed and alternatives were not considered.
Families of 4 college students killed while walking along PCH sue state, local agencies
The families of four Pepperdine University seniors who were killed last year by a speeding BMW while walking along a shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu are suing state and local agencies for wrongful death.
Disputed science drives lawsuits over Abbott's specialized formula for preterm infants
Researchers and health care companies say plaintiffs’ attorneys are engaged in a feeding frenzy of litigation and scientific questioning about the safety of certain types of formula for infants and toddlers.
State Bar chief trial counsel: Former L.A. deputy city attorney 'authorized scheme of collusion'
A former Los Angeles chief deputy city attorney has been charged with dishonesty and collusion in the State Bar of California’s investigation of legal skullduggery related to a failed Department of Water and Power billing system upgrade in 2013.