Lawsuits
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.
State Court
San Jose doesn't need to ask voters' permission to issue $3.5B bonds for pensions, appeals panel says
Legislation
State Sen. Becker: ‘Our state is facing an unprecedented crisis of skyrocketing insurance rates’
Federal Court
Homeservices of America to pay $250M to settle real estate commission antitrust lawsuits
Attorneys could stand to rake in more than $80 million in fees from the new deal, meaning plaintiffs' lawyers could be in line for more than $300 million in fees from multiple settlements worth more than $940 million so far, with potentially more on the way.
Hot Topics
State Farm announces limits on their coverage for California residents
State Farm General Insurance Company announced new limitations on their insurance offerings in the state of California, including the termination of commercial apartment policies and non-renewals of multiple different current policy holders.
Despite promising solutions, California officials are poised to use Prop 1 to simply throw $6 billion more at a homelessness problem already massive state spending has yet to solve
From WV Record
Gaming company files pretrial motion to restrict mentions of its China ties during trial against Google
Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite and several other renowned online games, has initiated legal action against tech behemoth Google, alleging that the latter is unjustly monopolizing Android app distribution. The gaming company's lawsuit comes with a pretrial motion to limit mentions of Epic's second largest shareholder being based in China during the trial scheduled for Nov. 6 start, said Epic Games.
The State Bar of California's Board of Trustees has initiated a new phase governance
The State Bar of California's Board of Trustees recently announced significant changes and decisions during its latest meeting. Brandon Stallings has been appointed as the new Board Chair, with José Cisneros assuming the role of Vice Chair and Mary Huser joining as a new Trustee. Stallings emphasized the organization's commitment to transparency and accountability.
State Court
James Grant Hamilton sues Reach Air Medical Services for whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination
In the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sacramento, James Grant Hamilton filed a lawsuit against Reach Air Medical Services LLC, case number 34-2020-00283624.
State Court
Brianna D. Allen sues Amit Yedthare for personal injuries due to a motor vehicle accident
Brianna D. Allen has filed a lawsuit against Amit Yedthare and 50 unnamed defendants in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, under case ID 24CV436575 on April 24, 2024.
State Court
Synopsys sues Australian Semiconductor Technology Company for unfair competition and tortious interference
In the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, plaintiffs Synopsys, Inc. and Tyler Speed have filed a lawsuit against Australian Semiconductor Technology Company, Inc. (ASTC).
State Court
June LaMarr sues The Regents for violation of due process rights
In the case of June LaMarr versus The Regents of the University of California, filed in the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Third Appellate District (Sacramento), under court case ID C097235 on April 5, 2024, plaintiff June LaMarr is appealing against a previous ruling.
State Court
Cajon Valley Union School District sues Tracy Drager for breach of pass-through agreements
In a case filed on April 24, 2024, the Cajon Valley Union School District and Grossmont Union High School District are suing Tracy Drager, in her capacity as Auditor-Controller, along with other defendants including the City of El Cajon.
State Court
Brandon Lee Vue sues Brandon William Brooks for negligence
The Superior Court of California, Sacramento County is the venue for a lawsuit filed by Brandon Lee Vue against defendants Brandon William Brooks and Commercial Refrigeration.
State Court
Howard Cole sues Arrickia Francine McNeil for personal injuries from a motor vehicle collision
In the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, plaintiff Howard Cole has filed a personal injury lawsuit against defendant Arrickia Francine McNeil and Does I through XX, inclusive.
State Court
Alicia Keeler sues David Serpa for alleged medical malpractice and battery
In the Superior Court of California, Sacramento, a lawsuit has been filed by Alicia Keeler against David Serpa.
State Court
Ronalyn Rixter sues Shahid Islam Salam for breach of contract and other violations
In the Superior Court for the State of California in and for the County of Sacramento, a lawsuit has been filed by plaintiff Ronalyn Rixter against defendants Shahid Islam Salam and Does 1 through 100.
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.
Lawyers seek $217M+ fees for work on Google Icognito privacy settlement
The settlement, supposedly worth $5 billion, requires Google to delete billions of data files allegedly collected by Google while allegedly monitoring people's supposedly secret web browsing. But the deal doesn't include any direct payments from Google to consumers on a classwide basis
Judge: Nestle can't melt class action over white chocolate content in TollHouse white baking chips
A San Jose federal judge said a recent decision from a California state appeals court in a virtually identical case against Walmart will require Nestle to work harder to beat the class action accusing the company of misleading consumers
Class action takes on Zyn, alleges Philip Morris is targeting youth
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The popular nicotine product ZYN is at the center of a new class action lawsuit against its maker, Philip Morris.
Wells Fargo accused of allegedly signing customers up for warranty, consumer protection products without consent
The plaintiffs have accused Wells Fargo of violating California's Unfair Competition Law, among other counts.
State Farm announces limits on their coverage for California residents
State Farm General Insurance Company announced new limitations on their insurance offerings in the state of California, including the termination of commercial apartment policies and non-renewals of multiple different current policy holders.
SCOTUS appears poised to undo rulings that left cities in 'straitjacket' when addressing homeless encampments
Precise contours on the eventual ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court remain cloudy, but oral arguments revealed the court's conservative majority will most likely overturn rulings from the Ninth Circuit that critics said essentially created a constitutional right for the homeless to camp in parks and other public spaces
Insurance Information Institute CEO: 'there are multimillions of dark money investor dollars' behind lawsuits
Sean Kevelighan, CEO of the Insurance Information Institute (III), stated that "there are multimillions of dark money investor dollars" fueling litigation that ultimately escalates insurance costs for consumers. This assertion was made in a press release dated Feb. 27.
Governor restricts legal challenges to L.A. development in push for more housing
Gov. Gavin Newsom is streamlining a major mixed-use development near Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles to speed the building of housing and urban infrastructure, using new state laws aimed at reducing environmental litigation.
The Utility Reform Network calls for relief for California ratepayers
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) has raised concerns about the financial burden on California's ratepayers, who are grappling with "record-breaking bills" that are allegedly pushing families into poverty and homelessness. The organization points out that Californians are dealing with escalating costs for basic necessities such as housing, food, utilities, and insurance.
American Tort Reform Association president: ‘significant campaign contributions’ from California attorneys ‘raise concerns about the potential influence on legislative and judicial decisions’
Sherman "Tiger" Joyce, president of the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), expressed concerns about a new report that analyzes California trial attorneys' campaign contributions. The report suggests these contributions may have potential influence on legislative and judicial decisions. Joyce voiced his concerns in a press release dated March 19.
California election authorities can't bump Fong from race to replace McCarthy in Congress, appeals panel says
A California state appeals court has ruled California Secretary of State Shirley Weber misinterpreted the state's election laws in attempting to block Republican State Assemblyman Vince Fong from the ballot in the contest to replace former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
State Sen. Becker: ‘Our state is facing an unprecedented crisis of skyrocketing insurance rates’
State Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) announced that SB 1060, the Fire Insurance Risk Evaluation Act (FIRE Act), is designed to address California’s escalating insurance rates. The proposed legislation requires property insurance providers to consider wildfire mitigation efforts when underwriting insurance policies. Becker shared this information in a press release dated April 24.
Jury decides Johnson & Johnson negligent in causing man’s mesothelioma in Northern California trial, awards $18.8 million
An Alameda County jury on Tuesday decided that Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused a man's deadly mesothelioma and awarded $18.8 million in damages for negligence and failure to warn
Plaintiff attorneys go after Johnson & Johnson product safety officer claims of asbestos-free powder
In a trial to decide if asbestos in Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused a man’s mesothelioma, plaintiff attorneys challenged a J&J safety officer’s claims that the powder was clean
Brianna D. Allen sues Amit Yedthare for personal injuries due to a motor vehicle accident
Brianna D. Allen has filed a lawsuit against Amit Yedthare and 50 unnamed defendants in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, under case ID 24CV436575 on April 24, 2024.
Privacy class action firms jockey for control of 23andMe data breach claims; Edelson calls for new approach
Data privacy class action firm Edelson P.C. is seeking to control 40 class actions, potentially worth huge money, against 23andMe for allegedly allowing genetic info to be stolen in a data breach. In a new filing, Edelson is asking courts to reconsider how they decide which lawyers should lead
Placer County can't use political speech law to ditch retaliation lawsuit from demoted ex-interim D.A.
Ex-Placer County Interim D.A. Jennifer Miszkewycz claimed was demoted in retaliation for cooperating with an Attorney General's investigation of a county board member
Claremont attorney faces suspension, probation following overturned embezzlement, grand theft conviction
SAN FRANCISCO – Longtime Claremont attorney Louis Julian White faces suspension and probation following an Aug. 8 California Supreme Court order and his overturned conviction last year on embezzlement and grand theft charges, according to a recent State Bar of California announcement and court documents.