GUEST COLUMNS
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A settlement may feel like the end of conflict,
but without careful planning, enforcement mechanisms, and foresight, it can
quickly unravel into renewed hostilities and litigation.
By providing junior associates with hands-on trial experience and meaningful roles in high-stakes business disputes, firms can foster growth, build successful teams, and achieve impactful results, as demonstrated by a recent case that resulted in a $28.5 million jury verdict.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Effective payor-provider mediations require meticulous preparation, including detailed claims spreadsheets, expert input, and clear communication, with careful attention to approaches for claim grouping and productive participation.
Children sexually abused in foster care face barriers to justice when the law shields social workers under discretionary immunity without examining if meaningful discretion was actually exercised.
Friday, April 11, 2025
While technology offers efficiency, in-person
interactions are crucial for building trust and resolving emotionally charged
disputes, particularly in cases involving deeper personal stakes.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A recent court ruling raises new questions about the scope of liability for owners and contractors when subcontractor employees are involved in incidents away from the construction site.
Governor Newsom's efforts to shield California companies from foreign retaliatory tariffs by working directly with foreign governments could violate the Logan Act.
Monday, April 7, 2025
As the interstate abortion legal battle intensifies, a legal expert examines potential scenarios Louisiana might pursue after New York's refusal to extradite a doctor - raising questions about federal power, state sovereignty, and the constitutional limits of enforcing abortion laws across state lines.
The devastating January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles have intensified an already severe construction labor shortage, delaying rebuilding efforts, driving up costs, and creating legal challenges that require careful planning, contract protections, and compliance oversight to navigate successfully.
Friday, April 4, 2025
The use of AI in judicial decision-making raises concerns about transparency, ethical reasoning, and the potential erosion of judicial legitimacy
College sports are changing fast with NIL compensation and Title IX compliance in flux. Schools must navigate shifting federal guidance, including presidential transitions, and ensure equity in funding allocation to avoid legal risks.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Rancho Palos Verdes homeowners installing propane tanks in a landslide zone designated as a Very High Fire Severity Zone may face strict liability under the ultrahazardous activity standard, given the significant fire risk, potential for catastrophic harm, and the inappropriateness of propane storage in such a hazardous location.
The Federal Appeals Court decision marks a pivotal moment in secular recognition of religious arbitration.
Monday, March 31, 2025
In City and County of San Francisco v. U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (2025), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down
generic receiving water limitations in Clean Water Act permits, potentially
reducing liability for public agencies but raising concerns about future water
quality enforcement.
California's 2024 PAGA amendments expand employers' ability to cure Labor Code violations but create a complicated early evaluation conference process that may prove more costly than resolving claims through private mediation.
Friday, March 28, 2025
Amid tariff uncertainty and market chaos, thoughtless 'copy and paste' M&A approaches will prove problematic as standard contract terms take on non-ordinary meanings.
Despite California's mandated implicit bias training, little progress has been made in addressing systemic discrimination affecting women and marginalized groups in our courtrooms.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
California's new Senate Bill 940, effective January 1, 2025, expands discovery rights in arbitration, aligning them with California court procedures, but raises significant legal questions about its scope, conflicts with federal law, and the burden on arbitrators to manage increased discovery requests.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), starting in 2023, targets carbon-heavy imports like steel and cement, presenting both challenges and opportunities for California exporters as they navigate evolving climate rules and trade tensions.
Monday, March 24, 2025
In 2024, legal services ads hit $164 million in LA, part of a 39% national rise, fueling aggressive marketing, third-party funding, and straining California's economy and courts.
A class action lawsuit alleges Google generative AI scraper vacuums up creators' rights and royalties for copyrighted works.
Friday, March 21, 2025
The distinction between a court's holding and dicta can be difficult to navigate, as seen in cases like Andrew v. White, where multiple reasons for a decision are offered, with some being binding and others merely persuasive.
The United States Supreme Court's unsigned order in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition hints that the conservative majority may have second thoughts about its expansion of presidential immunity.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
The Trump administration aims to end nationwide injunctions, limiting court rulings to individual cases and weakening checks on unconstitutional actions.
Federal rollbacks under Trump clash with California's stricter environmental laws, fueling a legal battle over state vs. federal authority, with California pushing back to maintain higher standards.
Elon Musk (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
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NEWS
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| Creating a stronger future for the Salton Sea depends on our unity, especially as we navigate the uncertainties of the lithium industry, and as the state prepares to disburse $10 billion from the climate bond that California voters passed in November. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| Gucci's alleged failure to pay arbitration fees on time could lead to a class action lawsuit, with claims its website misused cookies, violating user privacy despite opt-out settings. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| The owners of a mobile home park that straddles two Orange County cities say California lawmakers unconstitutionally targeted them with rent control legislation. After a 9th Circuit revival, their case is being watched for its broader implications in housing and targeting laws. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| OpenAI seeks to crush a rival's trademark in Oakland federal court, accusing founder Guy Ravine of fraud. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers faces a high-stakes AI identity battle. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| Former LA Deputy City Attorney James Clark orchestrated a sham lawsuit to shield the city from a billing fiasco, risking disbarment as testimony unfolds in State Bar court. | |
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General News
Monday, April 14, 2025 |
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| California defends climate disclosure laws against free speech challenge | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| A month from now, Gov. Gavin Newsom must reveal a revised version of the $322.3 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year that he proposed in January. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| A mother sues KSX Enterprise and Golden Star in Los Angeles, claiming a Scorch Torch lighter should have had a lock to keep her toddler from starting a fire that killed his brother. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| Prosecutors said Dr. Karim Arabi concealed his involvement in the company, Abreezio, while serving as vice president of R&D at Qualcomm, violating his employment agreement and defrauding his employer out of tens of millions of dollars. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| OHLA USA Inc. sues Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District, claiming inadequate plans and delays in a water treatment project. The company is seeking payment after contract termination in 2025. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| Paper checks issued for tax refunds, Social Security payments and other government benefits have been dwindling and will soon be eliminated, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| Ten insurers and a shareholder sue Southern California Edison, alleging its powerlines sparked the Eaton Fire, claiming negligence and mismanagement amid a history of wildfire-related failures. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| Life in and around MacArthur Park, a once-venerated Los Angeles center, had gone alarmingly awry. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| A former Grubhub driver's lawsuit, deeming drivers as employees, heads to trial April 9 to set the amount of unpaid wages from 2014-2020, amid disputes over last-minute damage calculations. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| The General Services Administration has canceled its $177 million sale of the 90-acre Ziggurat site in Orange County to Hilco Development Services following a lawsuit by second-place bidder Hoag Memorial Hospital, which alleged auction misconduct. Hilco now plans to challenge the reversal, escalating a high-stakes legal battle over one of the region's most sought-after parcels. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| Agoura Hills defeats developer's lawsuit as judge upholds permit denial for a mixed-use project, citing zoning compliance and affordable housing priorities. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| City Controller Kenneth Mejia has repeatedly warned Mayor Karen Bass and city council members that the city was overspending vis-à-vis revenues, creating a growing structural deficit. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| The team enhances the firm's capabilities in cutting-edge technology disputes, from AI and blockchain to semiconductors and trade secrets. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| An appellate panel will hear arguments Wednesday on whether to block parts of SB 976, a California law requiring parental consent before social media platforms can send personalized notifications to minors. The case has drawn national attention - and bipartisan amicus support - as a flashpoint in the debate over online harms, free speech, and government regulation of technology companies. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| A new analysis shows how countries around the world are rapidly adding solar and wind capacity, now cheaper and more reliable than ever. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| Edison shareholders sue, alleging neglected equipment and misleading claims led to the Eaton Fire, as the utility faces over 130 lawsuits for the deadly January blaze in Eaton Canyon. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| A Chatsworth jury granted $36.4M to a motorist left with chronic health issues after a crash, including funds for her dog's care, in a rare high award for the area. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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| A former Tesla engineer's defamation battle with Elon Musk isn't over. The 9th Circuit reversed a federal judge's decision to confirm a zero-dollar arbitration award, potentially reopening the door for claims against the automaker and its CEO--and setting new precedent on arbitration enforcement. | |
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General News
Friday, April 11, 2025 |
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| The Douglas Emmett property company battles tenants' bid to dismiss their appeal, arguing a judge's ruling against mass evictions at Barrington Plaza remains contested despite rent collection claims. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 |
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| CoStar and a former employee were cleared of trade secrets claims after Move Inc. voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit, ending a year-long legal battle with no settlement. | |
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General News
Monday, April 7, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge favored franchisees claiming Floyd Mayweather's fitness brand defrauded them of $8M, sustaining demurrers against his associates, a day after Mayweather won in a separate case. | |
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General News
Friday, April 4, 2025 |
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| A marine advocacy group accuses the U.S. Department of the Interior of violating laws by allowing a Santa Barbara oil site to reopen with outdated plans, risking environmental disaster. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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| Prosecutors have not said why Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam P. Schleifer was fired Friday --just one hour after a far-right activist called for his removal over past anti-Trump posts. | |
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General News
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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| U.S. district judge rips Los Angeles for unfulfilled homeless promises and untracked millions, urging Mayor Karen Bass to act fast as the city faces scrutiny over a 2022 housing deal. | |