Orange County Reporter
Friday, January 24, 2025
GUEST COLUMNS

Friday, January 24, 2025

In a year that reshaped California trust and estate law, five pivotal cases from 2024 delivered significant changes with far-reaching implications for practitioners and clients alike.
Recent class action lawsuits targeting chocolate products revive questions about the use of embedded Proposition 65 allegations.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Despite efforts by Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber to overturn Huntington Beach's voter identification law, the city may prevail due to its authority as a charter city to manage its own elections.
When representing a client while accepting payment from a third party, CRPC Rule 1.8.6 requires informed written consent, preservation of confidentiality, and unwavering commitment to the client's best interests to avoid ethical pitfalls and ensure compliance.

Friday, January 17, 2025

In the aftermath of recent fires, disaster victims face a flood of lawyer advertisements and events, highlighting both the vital role attorneys play in pursuing justice and the need for ethical, transparent, and well-resourced legal representation to truly prioritize victims' interests.
Jimmy Carter's legacy blends groundbreaking humanitarian efforts, like the Camp David Accords, with controversial positions on Israel, creating complex impact.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

In the wake of the Southern California wildfires, property owners filing insurance claims should know California laws offer expanded coverage options, including combined dwelling/structure limits, relaxed personal property documentation, extended loss-of-use benefits, and protection against policy cancellations, with state and federal aid available for those uninsured or underinsured.
With financial fraud on the rise, consumers and legislators are expecting more from banks.

Monday, January 13, 2025

In 2024, the California Supreme Court clarified key insurance law issues, rejecting COVID-19 property damage claims, addressing continuous injury coverage, and reinforcing rules on ambiguity and policyholder expectations.

Friday, January 10, 2025

The California Court of Appeal's Leeper decision empowers employers to compel arbitration of individual PAGA claims, even in cases seeking only non-individual penalties, streamlining PAGA litigation.
The Supreme Court's denial of petitions keeps the California Clean Air Act waiver intact, but California's vehicle regulation journey is about to get bumpier.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

California's new 2025 legislation reforms summary judgment deadlines, unlawful detainer procedures, and triple net expense protections for "qualified commercial tenants."
When California state Sen. Scott Wiener introduced the nation's most ambitious AI safety bill last year, it became a flashpoint in the debate over how to govern artificial intelligence.
In Hernandez v. City of Stockton, the California Court of Appeal ruled that a pedestrian's lawsuit was barred because his government claim, which cited an "uplifted sidewalk," did not match the actual condition--a hole from an empty tree well--highlighting the need for precise claims against public entities.

Monday, January 6, 2025

Seasoned attorneys can bring out the best in their baby lawyers with these tips for understanding and guiding them through that overwhelming first year.
California law offers military and mental health diversion programs to help veterans accused of crimes access rehabilitation instead of prosecution, with recent expansions allowing felony-level military diversion starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Friday, January 3, 2025

Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. and Turkey, both seasoned practitioners of "back channel" diplomacy, achieved a remarkable diplomatic feat with the release of American hostages held in Russia. Yet, it seems the world remains largely unaware--or indifferent--to the achievement.

Monday, December 30, 2024

A Trump-Musk administration may end federal EV tax credits and emission regulations while California imposes stricter oversight of autonomous vehicles, creating jurisdictional conflicts over electric car policy in 2025.
California's new Corporate Climate Data Accountability Act mandates large businesses to report Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2027, pushing companies toward greater environmental transparency and supply chain collaboration.

Friday, December 27, 2024

The federal government often avoids taking responsibility for actions that affect property owners, leading to prolonged litigation. A recent case, Ideker Farms, LLC. v. United States, highlights this issue
President-elect Donald Trump's recent interest in purchasing Greenland, met with mockery and Denmark's refusal to sell, has spurred speculation about possible U.S. annexation, with legal experts citing historical precedents and military considerations as potential justification despite anticipated legal and cultural challenges.

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