GUEST COLUMNS
Friday, May 16, 2025
Goebner confirms that in probate court, the deadline to file a demurrer is any time at or before the hearing, rather than within 30 days of service of the petition, as would be required in civil actions.
With sky-high beef prices and biotech prowess,
California can pioneer a hybrid meat model--blending ranching and cultivated
meat to cut emissions, boost resilience, and lead the global protein shift.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
California's well-intentioned AB 218 opened the door for long-overdue justice for survivors of childhood sexual assault, but its sweeping elimination of time limits on claims has left public schools and local governments vulnerable to massive liabilities, threatening their financial stability and essential services.
A federal judge recently condemned Apple's willful noncompliance with an injunction and referred the matter for criminal contempt: reminding the legal profession that candor isn't optional -- it's the job.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
California law once allowed negligent parties to escape full accountability when injured victims died before trial--erasing their pain and suffering from the record--but unless lawmakers pass Senate Bill 29 to make recent reforms permanent, that unjust "death discount" will return in 2026.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a fast-moving, trust-based cyberattack that exploits human behavior - not technical flaws - to defraud organizations of billions, making it one of the most financially damaging threats in today's digital workplace.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision may require policymakers to consider targeted reforms to ensure ERISA continues to serve its intended purpose.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments next week in three consolidated cases challenging President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, focusing narrowly on whether the lower courts exceeded their constitutional authority under Article III by issuing nationwide injunctions that extended relief beyond the parties before them.
Monday, May 12, 2025
The Ninth Circuit took a common-sense approach in
the case, steering clear of case law and legislative history, and focusing on
what could be proven
California is pioneering sustainable food systems through innovative corporate models and legislation that embed circular economy principles.
Friday, May 9, 2025
The Ninth Circuit's decision in D'Braunstein v. CHP offers a rare win for civil rights plaintiffs, highlighting how qualified immunity--often a near-fatal obstacle--can be overcome when officers fail to recognize and respond to visible medical distress.
Puerto Rico faces worsening blackouts as leaders extend coal and gas use--ignoring clean, proven solutions like rooftop solar that could meet demand and save lives.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Packard v. Packard confirms that petitions
to reform a trust to reflect a settlor's intent aren't "contests" and
aren't barred by no-contest clauses or the 120-day deadline,
but follow a three-year limit under CCP § 338(d).
To ethically reach out to potential clients during a disaster, lawyers must recognize the difference between advertising and solicitation, ensuring their messages are accurate, not misleading, and in line with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Litigation, like archery, demands calm under pressure, sharp focus, and the courage to strike with purpose.
The Trump Administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants, including courthouse arrests, jeopardizes the ability of vulnerable silicosis plaintiffs who seek justice without the threat of deportation.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Harvard University's enduring influence and indifference to political power is nothing new.
Estate planning involves strategic decisions about asset management and transfer, with trusts serving as a key tool; however, the tax implications--ranging from income taxes on trust-generated income to estate and gift tax consequences--can be complex and require careful consideration to align with long-term goals.
Monday, May 5, 2025
Estate planning involves not only managing the distribution of assets but also addressing income tax considerations, such as the implications of final tax returns, how income generated after death is reported by estates, and the tax responsibilities of heirs and beneficiaries.
The Supreme Court's 2024 Loper Bright
ruling, which overturned Chevron deference, is unlikely to significantly
impact copyright law.
Friday, May 2, 2025
There is a nuanced distinction between a statute's "effective" date - the moment it becomes law--and its "operative" date--the point at which its provisions can be enforced, and how the presumption of prospective application governs most statutes.
California's SB 1383 is transforming food waste from environmental liability into economic and climate opportunity, combining bold mandates, tax incentives, and community-driven programs to slash landfill-bound organics and boost food recovery across the state.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
In Knellinger v. Young (2025), the 10th
Circuit examined a case where Colorado's unclaimed property laws led to the
state taking property without proper notice or compensation, with the court
ultimately reaffirming that property owners are entitled to just compensation
under the Fifth Amendment, regardless of administrative processes.
Proposed amendments to Rule 1469 by the South Coast AQMD aim to strengthen regulation of hexavalent chromium emissions to protect public health and address environmental justice concerns, but they also present significant operational, financial, and competitive challenges for industries reliant on Cr(VI).
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Emblem and remedy: How a California housing rights law already uniquely protects immigrant tenants from unscrupulous landlords emboldened by Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric.
It's time to replace outdated, court-based speed
enforcement with automated civil penalties focused on the vehicle, not the
driver, to make our streets safer and hold car owners financially accountable
for dangerous speeding.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
At its core, the Genesys Cloud Services litigation extends established privacy principles to AI vendors, foreshadowing the compliance landscape companies must navigate as they integrate intelligent
technologies.
Trump's push to fast-track deregulation bypasses Administrative Procedure Act rules, but courts--bolstered by Loper
Bright--may block shortcuts that sidestep public input and legal procedure.
Monday, April 28, 2025
As the federal government retreats from climate regulation, California steps up with sweeping disclosure laws requiring large companies doing business in the state to report emissions and climate-related financial risks.
Though well-intentioned, the act urgently needs reform to distinguish between viable housing sites and rural parcels like El Dorado's pond where rigid application of the law blocks community-driven efforts to preserve public spaces without advancing affordable housing goals.
Friday, April 25, 2025
How big tech defends algorithmic addiction in the
name of the First Amendment.
AI developments are rapidly reshaping the legal landscape, with key issues like copyright infringement, trademark misuse, defamation, right of publicity, and unfair competition highlighted through the
hypothetical AI-created film
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Immigration crackdowns post-2025 have made compliance a top business priority, with rising audits, steep fines, and legal risks forcing employers to act fast and stay sharp.
California Senate Bill 832, which proposed stringent "clear and convincing" evidence requirements for childhood sexual abuse survivors, faced significant backlash, leading to its withdrawal after widespread community mobilization and advocacy.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Amid rising political scrutiny and legal uncertainty, California nonprofits must navigate shifting rules and rising risks around 501(c)(3) and (4) advocacy to protect their tax-exempt status and public trust.
Insurance payments, including those for wildfire-related damages or bad faith claims, can be tax-free under certain conditions, but complexities in the tax code, such as the treatment of settlements and the IRS's evolving interpretations, make it crucial for taxpayers to carefully navigate insurance recoveries to avoid unintended tax liabilities.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Letitia James, the New York AG who vowed to "get Trump," is now facing a potential federal criminal probe after the FHFA accused
her of falsifying mortgage documents to get better loan terms--allegations strikingly similar to those she used to win a $464M
civil case against Trump.
The illegal deportation and continued imprisonment of Kilmar Abrego García--despite court orders and government admissions of error -has laid bare a full-blown constitutional crisis, as a defiant executive branch ignores the rule of law, punishes truth-tellers, and openly wages war on judicial authority.
Monday, April 21, 2025
As professional salaries in women's sports remain
underwhelming, female college athletes are uniquely positioned to maximize their earnings through NIL deals -- making strategic planning and legal guidance essential for sustaining long-term financial success.
The El Salvador deportations highlight how the Trump Administration may have manufactured foreign entanglements to bypass domestic due process requirements for accused individuals.
Friday, April 18, 2025
In Capito v. San Jose Healthcare, the
California Supreme Court addressed the scope of "unfair" business
practices under section 17200, ruling that hospitals don't need to disclose
emergency service fees beyond what is required by existing regulations, while suggesting
that "unfairness" in consumer cases may be limited by the Cel-Tech
"safe harbor" rule.
Laws have largely failed to prevent AI generated impersonations and technology companies aren't helping.
Pete Rose and Los Angeles attorney, Jeffrey M. Lenkov (Photo courtesy of ZEL LAW)
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NEWS
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General News
Friday, May 16, 2025 |
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| StudioFest accuses "Together" filmmakers of copying its 2023 rom-com "Better Half," alleging Dave Franco, Alison Brie, and others stole plot, themes, and dialogue. | |
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General News
Friday, May 16, 2025 |
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| Sisters sue estate lawyers for malpractice, seek to disqualify firm's defense counsel after an unredacted client file was mistakenly shared, in a case raising questions about legal accountability in family trust disputes. | |
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General News
Friday, May 16, 2025 |
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| If you are a beneficiary currently or expect to be one in the future, you should know recent legal changes on inherited IRAs can result in costly implications if not followed properly. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 15, 2025 |
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| Dr. Mark Linskey accused the university of continuing a years-long campaign of retaliation following his whistleblower complaints. The case alleged that UC leadership ignored a reinstatement order and systematically isolated him from teaching and support resources, effectively ending his role in the medical training program he helped build. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 15, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles denies liability in police crash lawsuit, citing immunity, as plaintiffs allege officer fault and city pursues bill to limit damages. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 15, 2025 |
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| California is confronting what many leaders and officials say is an unprecedented confluence of forces -- economic, political, social, environmental -- that's about to test its long record of resilience in the face of catastrophe, natural and otherwise. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |
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| Edelson PC and Kerley Schaffer LLP sue California FAIR Plan, alleging it withholds wildfire claim records, violating California Insurance Code Section 2071, following a Fresno County court ruling. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles arts school sued L.A. Grand Hotel owners, alleging homeless tenants' drug use and exposure created unsafe conditions, forcing the school to shut down. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |
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| When the chief administrative officer of Providence Saint John's Health Center invited him into his office to ask Dr. Ashraf Elsayegh how he could support him and his family, Elsayegh replied instead, "Let's open a clinic." | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
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| Judge defers decision on Apple's PAGA lawsuit, debating early evaluation conference. Plaintiff alleges privacy violations, speech suppression via Apple's device policies, impacting tech industry labor practices. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
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| California and New York investors sue Coinbase, alleging the platform hides transaction fees in a "bait and switch" scheme, deceiving users by embedding spread fees in quoted prices. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
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| You have no control over the volatility in financial markets or the economic tumult caused by President Donald Trump's tariff policies. But you can prepare for financial potholes by bolstering your rainy-day fund. | |
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General News
Monday, May 12, 2025 |
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| Cities like Santa Monica, along with counties and school districts around the state, are grappling with their own steep judgments and settlements that are not as record-breaking as Los Angeles County's but are nonetheless pushing some of them to the brink of financial crisis. | |
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General News
Monday, May 12, 2025 |
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| Jonathan Nolan has put himself at the forefront of Hollywood's push to get California to approve $750 million in tax rebates to help bring more TV and film production back to the state. | |
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General News
Monday, May 12, 2025 |
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| DiCello Levitt LLP seeks co-lead counsel role in Adobe privacy lawsuits, citing unique evidence of widespread internet user tracking. Federal court battle looms as firms vie for leadership. | |
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General News
Friday, May 9, 2025 |
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| Musician Jake Holmes has filed a new lawsuit against Led Zeppelin, guitarist Jimmy Page and several companies related to recent use of the hit song. | |
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General News
Friday, May 9, 2025 |
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| Altadena resident sues California FAIR Plan for delaying and underpaying wildfire claims, alleging bad faith and breach of contract in Los Angeles County Superior Court. | |
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General News
Friday, May 9, 2025 |
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| World has created a program called World ID -- you can think of it as Clear or TSA PreCheck for the internet -- that will allow users to verify their humanity online. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 8, 2025 |
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| The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its key rate steady, after a series of cuts that lowered rates by a full percentage point last year. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 8, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles judge tentatively rules to compel arbitration in age discrimination lawsuit against Tommy Bahama, rejecting former employee's claim that an incomplete arbitration agreement was unenforceable. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 8, 2025 |
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| Oakland jury orders NSO Group to pay Meta $168 million for hacking 1,400 WhatsApp users with Pegasus spyware in 2019, following sanctions for evidence withholding. NSO considers appeal. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
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| A San Diego judge rules the Port of Los Angeles violated air quality laws at its China Shipping terminal, ignoring a 2024 judgment. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
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| A judge tentatively approved dumping Los Angeles County wildfire debris in Calabasas Landfill, finding no evidence of hazardous waste, as the city has until June 2 to amend its complaint. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
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| Once upon a time, Hollywood wasn't just a neighborhood. It was the beating heart of film and television production in North America. But over the last two decades, the bright lights of Los Angeles have dimmed. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 |
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| Plaintiffs' attorneys argue Edison is demanding damage details far sooner than in previous wildfire cases. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
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| It's especially important to understand your options, experts on student borrowing say, because many aspects of the federal student loan system are in flux. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
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| Attorneys for the Sierra Club pointed to the Oregon ruling -- which rebuked federal officials for skirting key environmental reviews -- as fresh authority in a case seeking to block large-scale tree removal in the fire-scarred Giant Sequoia National Monument. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
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| Eleven artists settled for $1.26 million mid-trial after a 2021 Little Tokyo Art Complex fire destroyed their works, raising issues of landlord liability and property damage valuation. | |
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General News
Monday, May 5, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes denied independent producer Francesca Gregorini's bid for a new trial in $81M "Servant" infringement case, upholding the jury's verdict. | |
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General News
Monday, May 5, 2025 |
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| Can Los Angeles, by devoting time and attention to the long-suffering area around historic MacArthur Park, actually make a difference for those who live and work there, those who have despaired as the park has become a magnet for drugs, gangs and crime? | |
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General News
Monday, May 5, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple's noncompliance with her injunction to stop overcharging app developers was a "gross miscalculation." She referred the company to federal prosecutors for possible criminal contempt. | |
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General News
Friday, May 2, 2025 |
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| The plaintiffs are SpaceX employees who claim they were passed over for engineering jobs and paid less than their male, white counterparts. | |
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General News
Friday, May 2, 2025 |
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| More than ever before, investors are inundated with news alerts and headlines on market-moving events. | |
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General News
Friday, May 2, 2025 |
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| Disney seeks $532,815 in sanctions against the plaintiff's attorneys, saying copyright claims against "Moana" were baseless | |
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General News
Thursday, May 1, 2025 |
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| One of the state Capitol's perpetual conflicts, dubbed "tort wars," pits personal injury attorneys and their allies, such as labor unions, against business groups and their insurers over laws governing which activities can be subjected to damage-seeking lawsuits. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 1, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles County approves $4 billion settlement for 6,800 victims of systemic sexual abuse, straining budget. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 1, 2025 |
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| James Clark defends "toll and dismiss" plan in State Bar hearing over Los Angeles utility billing scandal, risking disbarment. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 |
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| U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson dismisses copyright claims against "Yellowjackets," citing unprotected survival genre tropes and lack of substantial similarity. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 |
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| If children have questions about finances, parents should be ready to talk, experts say. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 |
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| The 4th District Court of Appeal affirmed a $538,890 award against FemtoMetrix executives for filing a fraudulent tax return, rejecting their claim that only the company was liable. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 |
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| A few years ago, buying a Tesla in Mill Valley meant that you had money but were not overly showy. It meant you were a progressive environmentalist who had style. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 |
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| On Friday, the Commission on Judicial Performance suspended Jeffrey M. Ferguson from the bench without pay. Ferguson's drinking and affinity for carrying guns was well known around the North Justice Center courthouse, where he presided over a criminal arraignment calendar, according to trial testimony and interviews with members of the bar. | |
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General News
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 |
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| The California Air Resources Board has agreed to roll back portions of its landmark trucking emissions regulations in the face of mounting legal challenges and shifting political winds. The settlement with trucking industry plaintiffs signals a major setback for the state's climate goals. | |
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General News
Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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| Judge awards $1.6M in attorney fees in the Lunada Bay beach access case, but at least two plaintiffs' counsel may appeal. | |
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General News
Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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| A new bill from Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles would require California employers to publicly report how they electronically monitor workers. Supporters cite privacy and mental health concerns, while business groups warn the measure could compromise security. | |
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General News
Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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| Investing in choppy markets, especially with an unpredictable president at the helm, can be distressing. It can be even more so if you are relying on these investments to pay for something as important as your child's college tuition, and you need the money in the foreseeable future. | |
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General News
Friday, May 16, 2025 |
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| In a landmark shift, Major League Baseball will no longer uphold lifetime bans after death, paving the way for Hall of Fame consideration of Pete Rose and others. Behind the decision: Los Angeles attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, whose dogged advocacy achieved what decades of petitions could not. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 15, 2025 |
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| Netflix, Warner Bros. urge pause in discovery for "Running Point" infringement case, citing First Amendment defense, as Pepperdine alleges unauthorized use of its colors, team name. | |
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General News
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 |
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| Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to use state budget and bond funds to reward or punish local governments based on their efforts to clear homeless encampments, potentially sparking legal battles. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 |
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| A $950,000 personal injury settlement with Los Angeles County unraveled, forcing a trial in September. Plaintiff's attorneys accuse the county of stalling, citing financial strain from a $4 billion abuse case settlement. | |
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General News
Monday, May 12, 2025 |
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| A putative class action accuses Southern California Edison of negligence in the Eaton Fire, alleging widespread lead and asbestos contamination. | |
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General News
Friday, May 9, 2025 |
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| United Water Conservation District sues California Fish and Game Commission, alleging the 2022 endangered listing of Southern California Steelhead trout violated court orders and the law, threatening water supply. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 8, 2025 |
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| The father and son team said the new office will complement their existing operation in the Inland Empire. | |
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General News
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
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| An appellate ruling found the LA gondola's environmental report inadequate under CEQA, delaying construction. Experts say revising the report can keep the project on track, but it's not certain if it will be ready for the 2028 Olympics. | |
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General News
Monday, May 5, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge is considering petitions against Los Angeles for approving a luxury Hollywood hotel project, risking demolition of affordable housing. | |
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General News
Friday, May 2, 2025 |
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| The decision caps a chapter in litigation stretching back to the 1990s, involving complex asset protection schemes, IRS scrutiny, and claims of fiduciary breach. | |
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General News
Thursday, May 1, 2025 |
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| U.S. retailers and manufacturers, faced with sky-high tariffs on Chinese goods, are pausing and reducing shipments from China. The pullback is expected to hit West Coast ports within days. | |
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General News
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles County presiding judge pushes to coordinate nearly 80 silicosis cases from three counties over claims granite counters caused the disease. | |
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General News
Monday, April 28, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles judge voids Pomona's $500-a-day fine on Regency Outdoor Advertising, ruling it an illegal penalty in billboard dispute. | |