News from February 2024
San Diego judge slashes 90% off $332M verdict awarded to man in Roundup trial
The judge said $325 million in punitive damages was excessive, compared to the $7 million in compensatory damages the jury awarded plaintiff Mike Dennis. The judge cut punitive damages to $21 million. Monsanto still plans to appeal
Lawsuit against L.A. over alcohol withdrawal death hits major road block
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The family of an alcoholic who died in jail from withdrawal will have to fix their wrongful death lawsuit if they want to hold Los Angeles County liable.
Tracey Kennedy Receives 2024 Dianne Baquet Smith Diversity and Inclusion Award
Sheppard Mullin is proud to recognize Tracey A. Kennedy as the winner of this year’s Dianne Baquet Smith Diversity and Inclusion Award for her commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and initiatives that create meaningful change.
Greenberg Traurig Grows Real Estate and Energy Practices with Addition of Paul Williams
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP expanded its Real Estate Practice with the addition of Shareholder Paul M. Williams.
DLA Piper expands its Trademark, Copyright & Media Practice on the West Coast with the arrival of Staci Jennifer Trager
DLA Piper is proud to announce the arrival of trademark, copyright and right of publicity lawyer Staci Jennifer Trager as a partner in the firm’s Trademark, Copyright & Media Practice.
Class action accuses Valero Services of CA labor law violations
The lawsuit accuses the company of not correctly calculating pay and overtime rates, among other allegations.
Online toothpaste seller Hismile accused in class action of allegedly posting fake prices online
Hismile allegedly advertises "sale" prices allegedly available for a limited time only, which are actually fake and always available, the lawsuit says
California remains one of top spots for ADA disability access lawsuits in America
An analysis by the Seyfarth firm placed California No. 2, behind New York, as the top state for new lawsuits filed in federal court under ADA Title III in 2023. Many such lawsuits have been likened by prosecutors to "shakedowns" of small businesses
From Clinic Advocate to Public Defender: Meet Brendan Nafarrate '21
Brendan Nafarrate ’21 was raised by immigrant grandparents from Mexico and Guatemala, whose struggles inspired him to advocate for his community. Before law school, he was a paralegal assisting non-citizens in their family law and immigration matters.
Sheppard Mullin Announces 2024 Partner Class
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys have been promoted to partner.
Close-up on Media, Entertainment and Sports: Right of Publicity and Consumer Protection Issues on February 29, 2024
Companies in the rapidly evolving and highly competitive media, entertainment and sports industries encounter unique legal issues.
Therabody sues competitor Hyper Ice, claiming libel
Massage gun manufacturer Therabody, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against its competitor Hyper Ice, Inc., accusing the latter of defamation and product disparagement.
2024 Southern California Breakfast Briefing Series - Irvine on February 28, 2024
With the new year, comes new legislation and policies affecting employers.
Tort lawsuits drive California’s status as one of the most expensive states to live in
Researchers have determined that California ranks among the most expensive places to live in the United States, surpassed only by Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Massachusetts. Local small business owners attribute part of this high cost of living to the "tort tax" burden shouldered by residents.
Reed Smith appoints new office managing partners in Southern California
Reed Smith promoted office managing partners in two of its three offices in Southern California. Corporate partner Ashok Mukhey succeeds Ernie Ocampo in the firm’s Century City office, and labor and employment partner Jennifer Terry succeeds Amber Finch in its downtown Los Angeles office.
CLEANR Releases Report on Civil Rights Violations by California Pesticide Regulatory Agencies
The Center for Land, Environment & Natural Resources (CLEANR) at the University of California, Irvine School of Law (UCI Law) released the results of a one-year investigation into California pesticide regulatory practices at a press conference in Watsonville, California.
With California drafting cyberrisk rules, companies prepare for potential regulatory actions, lawsuits
As California regulators set new parameters on cybersecurity rules, it’s raising questions about how business should adapt for implementation.
California’s legal climate contributes to sky-high cost of living
California's cost of living surpasses the national average by 42%, with significant expenses in areas such as car insurance, housing, and utilities. Recent analyses point to the proliferation of tort lawsuits in the state as a contributing factor to this high cost of living.
Kacey Riccomini Discusses California’s New Reproductive Loss Leave
Thompson Coburn partner Kacey Riccomini authored a Today’s General Counsel article on what employers need to know about California’s new reproductive loss leave, which has been effective as of January 1, 2024.
A Practical Approach to Maintaining Employee Engagement on February 29, 2024
Does your company have an open door policy?