News from February 2024
Back-End SLAT: Grantor as a SLAT Beneficiary After the Spouse's Interest Terminates on February 27, 2024
Private Wealth Services attorney Kenny Jefferson will participate in a webinar hosted by the American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law on the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT).
Sony hit with discrimination class action by male photographers excluded from Alpha Female grant program
Sony Electronics Inc. is facing a class action lawsuit filed by a group of male photographers who allege that the company disguised a discriminatory marketing program as an effort to make its customer base more "diverse and inclusive."
Class action accuses Trax of allegedly violating California labor law
Retail technology services company, Trax Retail Inc., is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly violating California labor law, including allegedly not paying workers their full wages earned.
Biden administration, left-wing allies 'colluding' to shove court fight over immigration past November, judge says
A federal appeals court judge in San Francisco blasted the Biden administration and his fellow judges for allowing left-wing activists to help the president quietly tuck from public view a court fight over the politically fraught crisis at the southern border
From USC Law Magazine: Enterprising entrepreneur Tony Thai (JD 2014)
When Tony Thai (JD 2014), a software engineer-turned-attorney, started his first legal job, he was shocked at how outdated the legal industry’s technology was.
Meet Win Frazier ’91: Alumnus Retires at the Pinnacle of TV Ad Sales, Enters City Government in Bellaire
“I am proud — extremely proud — to be a graduate of South Texas College of Law Houston,” said Winfred Frazier ’91, beaming as he described himself.
Keenan & Associates hit with class action over cyberattack
Insurance brokerage firm, Keenan & Associates, is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly exposing customer data during a cyberattack.
Class action accuses Verizon over data breach
Verizon has been accused in a class action lawsuit for allegedly failing to protect customer data during a significant data breach.
California cities can't bring class action to force Netflix, Hulu, other streamers to pay cable TV franchise fees
A state appeals court has pulled the plug, for now, on efforts by trial lawyers and California cities to force streaming entertainment services, like Netflix, to pay the fees normally levied by state law on cable TV companies
AG Rob Bonta: ‘The FTC and Congress must act to ensure fulsome regulation of PBMs nationwide’
State Attorney General Rob Bonta (D-Calif.) sent a letter to U.S. Congressional leadership this week saying Congress should “act to ensure fulsome regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
Lawsuit abuse drives inflation for Los Angeles consumers
The rise in the number of lawsuits filed in the Los Angeles area is contributing to heightened inflation and an increase in insurance costs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI), which was released on Feb. 13, prices in the Los Angeles area rose by 1% in January and 2.5% over the 12-month period ending in January 2024. A recent report identified a major contributor to California's CPI as the surge in tort filings and insurance-related lawsuits.
Will plaintiff being 'usually hungover' affect case against McDonald's over extra cost for OJ?
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A woman suing McDonald's for charging extra for orange juice in breakfast combos admitted she is usually hungover when she makes those purchases.
Business exec sues Apple after email hacked
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The president and CFO of a company with a government munitions contract is suing Apple after his email was hacked.
Class action accuses Wondershare of allegedly misleading customers into auto-renewal for Filmora
Wondershare, an online software company, is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly misleading customers into auto-renewal plans for its Filmora video editing service. The suit was filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California by Jessica Blum on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated. The complaint accuses Wondershare and its various entities of violating California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL).
Class action accuses Bloomingdale's of violating CA wage, labor laws
Department store chain Bloomingdale's has been accused of allegedly violating California wage and labor laws.
Civil rights claim tossed from lawsuit over death of undocumented immigrant who fell off border wall
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - One civil rights claim has been struck from a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the widow of an undocumented immigrant who fell off a border wall in California.
The Tax Institute examines strategies shaped by COVID, inflation, AI
The Tax Institute brought together hundreds of tax professionals at its 2024 conference January 22-24.
Woman's lawsuit accuses Sanofi of religious discrimination for firing her over Covid vax mandate
A Los Angeles woman says biotech company Sanofi humiliated her for seeking religious exemption to its Covid shot mandate, and then terminated her after refusing her waiver request.
Class action accuses Westlake of improperly attempting to collect on allegedly non-existent auto warranty plans
The lawsuit accuses Westlake Portfolio Management of alleged violations of California and federal law in attempting to collect from auto owners who financed their vehicles through the now defunct U.S. Auto.
California can't enforce minor gun ad ban law while court case plays out over speech restrictions
The full U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said it won't grant the Attorney General's request for a review of a three-judge panel's decision to slap an injunction on AB2571, which they said amounted to an unconstitutional 'muzzling of speech'