Federal Court News
Federal Court
Pfizer facing new lawsuits in California over injectable form of birth control
Several plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against Pfizer Inc. and other pharmaceutical companies in California, alleging that an injectable form of birth control causes or contributes to a higher risk of developing brain tumors.
Federal Court
Pasadena man's lawsuit accuses Paramount+ of illegally sharing customers' viewing information
A Pasadena man has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Paramount+ that accuses the video-streaming company of disclosing customers’ viewing data to third parties such as Facebook and TikTok in violation of a 36-year-old federal law.
Latest News
Federal Court
Appeals court rejects Huntington Beach's challenge of state law requiring housing development plans
The city of Huntington Beach has vowed to continue its litigation challenging a state law requiring local governments to set zoning targets for new housing, despite a federal appeals court ruling rejecting the city’s arguments.
Federal Court
Santa Barbara jury awards jet owner $19 million in insurance dispute involving Michael Avenatti
A jury in Santa Barbara has awarded $19 million to plaintiffs who entered into a 2016 agreement to purchase a jet aircraft with now-incarcerated attorney Michael Avenatti, finding that the aircraft’s insurer failed to fulfill conditions of the insurance policy.
Federal Court
Judge OKs $2.3M deal to end Black Lives Matter class action vs Santa Monica
The lawsuit had accused Santa Monica police of excessive force in attempting to end riots that raged May 31-June 1, 2020, amid protests over the death of George Floyd. The city did not actively contest the lawsuit, but quickly settled
Federal Court
UCLA neuroscientist's lawsuit: Profiteering academic publishers have 'held back science'
A UCLA neuroscientist has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against six major academic publishers, alleging that they are engaged in an illegal scheme that hinders scientific advancement and forces scholars to work for free.
Federal Court
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.
Federal Court
SCOTUS ends Uber's challenge to the lingering effects of AB5, won't hear appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition to overturn an appeals court's decision that California lawmakers didn't violate the constitutional rights of Uber, Postmates and similar companies by targeting them with AB5, a labor law that would have exposed the companies to massive liability over the employment classification of drivers
Federal Court
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 Court
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.
Federal Court
Appeals court: ADA doesn't nix Montana state law blocking 'vax discrimination'
The federal appeals judges said a Montana federal judge overreached in declaring that the Americans with Disabilities Act all but required health care organizations to require workers to be vaccinated against Covid and other communicable diseases to protect 'immunocompromised disabled persons'
Federal Court
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.
Federal Court
California attorney general joins federal lawsuit accusing software firm of fixing rental-housing prices
California has joined seven other states and the U.S. Department of Justice in a lawsuit that accuses a Texas-based revenue-management software company of keeping rental prices in Orange County, San Diego and other regions artificially high.
Federal Court
Black Lives Matter can't advance class action over LAPD response to 2020 riots
A federal appeals panel said an L.A. federal judge was wrong to allow the class action to continue because such a suit on behalf of thousands of people who clashed with police or were arrested would sweep up proper police response with potential constitutional violations amid alleged excessive force
Federal Court
Kern Community College District agrees to $2.4 million settlement with professor in retaliation case
A former social sciences professor at Bakersfield College has agreed to a $2.4 million settlement to resolve his litigation against the Kern Community College District (KCCD) alleging administrative misconduct and retaliation.
Federal Court
Economics professor: EV targets based on questionable science have ‘far-reaching’ economic downsides
Energy companies and industry associations have challenged California's EV targets in the Supreme Court, saying they have illegally extended their standards nationwide. But new research says EV sales targets and subsidies, such as those in place in California, could lead to the destruction of the automobile industry.
Federal Court
Cocoa Puffs class action: Cereal's lead content a threat to consumers' health
The lawsuit is based on California's controversial Prop 65 labeling law, which food makers have blasted as an unscientific standard used to justify lawsuits, but not actually protect consumers
Federal Court
Critics of 'carbon offsets': Corporations' 'green' investment claims mislead consumers
Investments in “carbon offsets” by Delta Air Lines and other corporations aim to present more environmentally friendly images, but they now face strong headwinds, both in the courtroom and in independent reports.
Federal Court
Medical clinic lawsuit: Bonta attacking women's right to obtain abortion pill reversal
A Southern California Catholic medical clinic has filed a countersuit against the state’s attorney general, accusing Rob Bonta of unlawfully prohibiting advocacy groups from informing women about a procedure called abortion pill reversal (APR).
Federal Court
Falconers can continue suing California over permit requiring them to submit to warrantless inspections
A federal appeals panel says a lower court judge was wrong to toss a lawsuit from a group of falconers accusing the state of violating the Fourth Amendment protections against illegal property searches by requiring falconers to agree to "unannounced warrantless inspections" as a condition of their state license