GUEST COLUMNS
Friday, June 20, 2025
Devastated parents and bipartisan leaders are calling for urgent reform of Section 230, as Big Tech continues to hide behind the outdated law while their platforms target, addict, and endanger kids -- with deadly consequences.
Generative AI platforms are turning to centuries-old public domain documents to train their systems and sidestep billion-dollar legal battles over the use of protected works.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
The deployment of military forces to Los Angeles amid peaceful protests lacks constitutional or statutory justification and raises serious concerns about potential autocratic overreach.
In a powerful and meticulously reasoned opinion, Judge Charles Breyer correctly ruled that President Trump's unprecedented federalization of the California National Guard to suppress protests in Los Angeles violated federal law, underscoring the critical importance of judicial oversight in preventing unchecked presidential authority and the unlawful militarization of domestic affairs.
Monday, June 16, 2025
The Trump administration's sweeping "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" may be doomed to fail because it illegally stuffs non-budgetary provisions--from AI regulation bans to court enforcement restrictions--into a fast-track budget process that's supposed to handle only fiscal matters.
National Audubon reframed water rights as
conditional privileges, establishing that environmental values are core
criteria--not secondary considerations--in California's ongoing water governance.
Friday, June 13, 2025
What is happening in Los Angeles today is not unprecedented--and if we ignore the lessons of our past, including the vital role immigrants have played in building our state and sustaining our economy, we risk repeating the injustices we once rose up to resist.
President Trump's second-term immigration agenda marks a sharp escalation from his first, with an aggressive revival of civil denaturalization efforts that put not only naturalized citizens--but also their spouses and children--at risk of losing U.S. citizenship based on past omissions or alleged misstatements, no matter how minor.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
In the aftermath of devastating wildfires and mounting litigation, Los Angeles faces a critical need for accelerated legal resolution to protect its financial future and public interests--especially ahead of global events--raising the urgent question of who will lead the city forward.
Wildfire victims may be able to reduce, delay, or avoid paying taxes on insurance or settlement proceeds--especially if the fire is classified as a federally declared disaster, which unlocks key tax relief options like casualty loss deductions and Section 1033 deferrals.
Monday, June 9, 2025
A recent decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade held that President Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by imposing sweeping tariffs, ruling the measures unconstitutional and enjoining their enforcement--setting the stage for ongoing appellate battles that could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
The California Supreme Court in Escamilla v. Vannucci clarified that the one-year statute of limitations under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.6 applies only to claims by clients or intended beneficiaries against attorneys, while claims by non-clients--such as third-party malicious prosecution actions--are governed by the statute of limitations for the underlying cause of action.
Friday, June 6, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court clarified that under the federal National Environmental Policy Act, agencies are not required to assess the environmental effects of separate, future, or geographically distinct projects beyond their control, thereby affirming agency discretion in defining the act's scope.
Dairy farming in California's Central Valley, long a cornerstone of the region's economy but also a source of serious environmental and public health challenges, now stands at a crossroads--where collaboration between traditional dairies and lab-grown milk innovators offers a promising path toward sustainability, economic resilience, and community well-being.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
In response to the impending expiration of key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, the House has advanced a sweeping tax proposal that includes major changes to Opportunity Zones, pass-through deductions, SALT caps, R&D expensing, and estate tax exemptions--signaling a pivotal moment for tax planning ahead of 2026.
In Lee v. Cardiff, a homeowner recovered over $475,000 after a contractor violated licensing laws on a high-end pool and landscaping project, but was denied attorneys' fees when the court ruled that most of the claims didn't arise solely from swimming pool construction as required by statute.
Monday, June 2, 2025
Though not without precedent, an immigration-based competition show would confront substantial regulatory and ethical barriers.
Large Los Angeles County retailers will be required to give workers 14 days' notice of their schedules starting July 1 under an ordinance approved by county supervisors.
Friday, May 30, 2025
California real estate law is a complex mix of statutes, local regulations, and historical nuances that can challenge even seasoned litigators, making a solid understanding of fundamental concepts--like zoning, title, partition, and disclosure--essential for effective case strategy and resolution.
Generative AI promises to revolutionize legal practice, but attorneys risk losing their essential human skills and judgment if they become too dependent on this powerful technology.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
A recently filed class action complaint against SuperShuttle highlights the ongoing battle for wheelchair-accessible transportation services, despite this year marking the 35th anniversary of the ADA's passage.
Forward-thinking CEOs are increasingly turning to mediation as a strategic conflict resolution tool to reduce legal costs, protect corporate culture, manage risk, and preserve critical business relationships in today's complex and competitive environment.
Friday, May 23, 2025
The Court of Appeal's decision in Goebner v.
Superior Court clarifies that objections in probate proceedings--including
demurrers--are governed by Probate Code § 1043 rather than the 30-day deadline
in the Code of Civil Procedure.
From evidence gathering to negotiation tactics, these tips could help reshape your approach to case resolution.
Newport Beach attorney Heidi Plummer
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NEWS
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Six unions seek a preliminary injunction against Trump's order exempting federal jobs from collective bargaining, arguing it is retaliation for their opposition to his policies. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Austin is known for live music, Texas' premier public university and being home to tech companies. It is also becoming a laboratory for autonomous vehicles. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Edison International seeks 45-day extension to dismiss shareholders' lawsuit alleging misleading wildfire mitigation claims, causing stock losses after 2025 Los Angeles County fire exposed deficiencies. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Union seeks to intervene in LA Sheriff Robert Luna's lawsuit against the oversight commission, aiming to protect deputies' privacy and bargaining rights from subpoenas seeking investigative files on use-of-force incidents. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| A Huntington Beach attorney defended the city's conduct during a tense May 6 council meeting after the ACLU of Southern California accused the mayor and city council of violating open meeting and free speech laws by restricting public comment. While denying any wrongdoing, city officials say they will revisit their public decorum policy in light of the legal challenge. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Required minimum distributions -- frequently referred to by the abbreviation RMDs -- can be painful when retirees have to sell assets in a falling market. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Some experts are worried that a recent uptick in unemployment for college graduates is a sign that companies are already using AI as a substitute for some entry-level workers. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| Disbarred attorney Michael Avenatti was resentenced to just under eight years in prison Thursday for defrauding clients and committing tax violations, after the 9th Circuit vacated his original 14-year term and ordered a new hearing. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| California's authority to enforce stricter vehicle emissions rules is once again under fire--this time from a rarely used federal statute. Now, with President Donald Trump's latest push to block those waivers, state officials are taking the fight to court. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| Life insurance can play a key role in protecting your loved ones financially should you pass away unexpectedly. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| Several charged in Southern California over alleged assaults on police and bystanders during immigration raid protests. U.S. Attorney and LA DA file charges, including for Molotov cocktails and thrown objects. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| Migrant day laborers seek to intervene in Huntington Beach's challenge to California's sanctuary law, arguing their interests in protecting immigrants from police-ICE cooperation are not fully represented. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| Apple's annual developers conference has usually been a must-watch event for what it revealed about the iPhone giant's plans. But this year's event has been more notable for what it didn't focus on: advancements in artificial intelligence tools. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| The settlement means college athletes can be paid directly by their schools for use of their name, image and likeness. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| The scheme used fake company names like "Begin Modeling" and "Bubblegum Casting" to conceal the business's true nature. When women tried to stop filming, Pratt or his associates threatened lawsuits, canceled return flights, and warned they would post the videos online if the shoots weren't completed. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| In San Francisco, children attend elementary school at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. Travelers pass through the Harvey Milk Terminal at the airport. At Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro and Market streets, a giant rainbow flag dedicated to him can be seen for miles. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| Homeowners affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires accuse AAA and USAA of underinsuring properties, alleging systemic undervaluation of replacement costs and misleading assurances of adequate coverage. | |
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General News
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| A Torrance jury ruled artificial stone countertops are safe, attributing silicosis to improper handling, not defective products, in a case against Caesarstone, signaling possible trends for similar California lawsuits. | |
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General News
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| Judge Lon F. Hurwitz presided over complex civil and family law matters for more than two decades. | |
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General News
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| Like thousands of other families, in January we lost our Pacific Palisades home to wildfire. Within minutes, every house on our side of the street was reduced to ashes, while those across the street were left untouched. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| Girardi, 86, is set to be sentenced Tuesday for stealing more than $15 million from vulnerable clients. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| AI Mode, which is rolling out worldwide in the coming weeks, will soon appear as a tab next to your Google.com search results. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| Californians for Homeownership alleges the city is violating the Housing Accountability Act by using application technicalities to skirt approval obligations. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| A federal judge in Santa Ana has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by Richard Montañez, the former Frito-Lay janitor who claims to have invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The court ruled the company's public denials were protected under California's anti-SLAPP statute, but left the door open for an amended complaint. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The case, which pits state election protections against local control, will head to the 4th District Court of Appeal. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The residents, business owners, unhoused people, commuters and passersby in the area around Los Angeles' MacArthur Park have some things in common: They benefit from the community being clean, and they all value their safety. But that consensus papers over some significant differences about how to achieve those goals. | |
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General News
Friday, June 20, 2025 |
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| Newport Beach attorney Heidi Plummer says she was handcuffed and taken to an ICE processing center during a weekend operation in Santa Ana, despite her U.S. citizenship and public legal role. "There was no warning... no rhyme or reason," she says. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 |
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| Federal judge reviews LA Alliance's motion for a receivership to oversee Los Angeles' homeless funding, as the city defends its progress toward 2022 settlement goals. | |
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General News
Monday, June 16, 2025 |
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| San Francisco federal judge doubts basis for nonprofits' bid to join sanctuary jurisdictions' lawsuit against Trump's funding cuts, citing their inability to set policies. | |
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General News
Friday, June 13, 2025 |
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| Disney and its studios sue Midjourney in federal court, alleging the AI image generator illegally uses copyrighted characters like Darth Vader, ignoring cease-and-desist letters and profiting from plagiarism. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| The sentencing of Andrew Do represented the first criminal conviction of a county supervisor in nearly 50 years. | |
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General News
Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| Homelessness in some parts of the Inland Empire declined this year, according to an annual survey that estimates the number of people living in shelters or on the street. | |
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General News
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| The former chief judge of the federal appeals court faced pointed questions from a skeptical panel as he argued that "Top Gun: Maverick" infringed on a 1983 magazine article credited as the basis for the original "Top Gun" film. Judges appeared unconvinced that the sequel borrowed protected elements from the article. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| The 4th District Court of Appeal has upheld a decision awarding workers' compensation to Andrea Morris, a nurse who suffered cardiac arrest and permanent brain damage while working at City of Hope during the pandemic. Her attorneys say the case highlights institutional failure and sets precedent for workplace medical emergencies. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The organizations say a regulatory rule undermines California's climate goals and relies on an outdated legal standard. At issue is how much deference courts must give to the Public Utilities Commission's statutory interpretations. | |