GUEST COLUMNS
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Could a New Jersey township's plan to condemn a church for pickleball courts eventually become the U.S. Supreme Court case that finally defines what constitutes "pretextual" eminent domain?
If you have California customers sending you money -- even if you've never set foot in the Golden State -- California's tax authorities may come knocking with an income tax bill.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
A new Supreme Court ruling hints that medical
expenses from personal injuries might now open the door to RICO claims -- but
don't expect a flood of new lawsuits just yet.
In the face of escalating violence and political resistance, federal ICE and CBP agents, attacked by rioters and left without timely local support in Los Angeles, now confront a controversial California SB 627 that's seeking to unmask them.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the United States faces renewed pressure to weigh military involvement -- raising urgent constitutional questions about who holds the power to declare war and whether recent presidents have sidelined Congress in one of the nation's gravest decisions.
As accusations of politically motivated "debanking" grow louder, from religious groups to crypto firms, regulators and courts are stepping in, urging banks to adopt viewpoint-neutral policies that protect both financial access and First Amendment principles.
Monday, June 23, 2025
California's Vehicle Code section 17004.7
provides public entities with immunity from liability in pursuit-related
crashes if they adopt and regularly train officers on pursuit policies, but
ongoing litigation, including the case Gilliland v. City of Pleasanton,
could significantly impact the scope of that immunity.
A Georgia court's dismissal of the first AI hallucination defamation suit underscores just how early -- and unsettled -- the legal questions remain around generative AI's liability.
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parents and bipartisan leaders are calling for urgent reform of Section 230, as Big Tech continues to hide behind the outdated law while their platforms target, addict, and endanger kids -- with deadly consequences.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.
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Public entities often invoke trail immunity in
tree-fall cases, but Toeppe v. City of San Diego draws a clear line--if
the hazardous tree exists independent of the trail, § 831.4 does not apply.
As urban fires grow more toxic, firefighters face mounting exposure to dangerous substances like mercury, lead, and carcinogens--risks that are reshaping legal protections, expanding the scope of workers' compensation, and highlighting the need for better exposure documentation and civil remedies when misrepresentation or third-party misconduct is involved.
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.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
As state-sponsored cyberattacks grow more disruptive, insurers are expanding the War Exclusion to deny coverage even in peacetime--threatening to leave U.S. businesses exposed to financial losses that were previously handled through cyber insurance.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Ames v. Ohio that Title VII protects all workers equally, striking down the extra "background circumstances" burden for majority-group discrimination claims and unifying the standard for all plaintiffs.
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.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
The Supreme Court's decision eliminates extra burdens for majority-group plaintiffs, casting new doubt on California's Assembly Bill 7 and its reparative admissions policy.
Citing a rarely used statute and without the governor's request--President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops following ICE raids that sparked resistance, igniting a constitutional clash over presidential power, the limits of military enforcement and the meaning of "rebellion."
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.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
After avoiding foreign business deals during his first term, President Trump and his family now appear to have embraced international dealmaking. It's time for the public to take notice.
Despite spending significant resources to support victims, district attorney offices often fail to address serious ethical risks--particularly under Rule 4.3--when prosecutors, without proper guidance or safeguards, inadvertently give legal advice to unrepresented victims whose interests may conflict with those of the prosecution.
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.
Thursday, June 5, 2025
The outcome of Consumer Watchdog v. Insurance
Commissioner Lara will determine not only who bears the financial burden of
the next catastrophic wildfire, but also how much influence Californians retain
over the rules that shape their insurance market.
A little-noticed provision in the House's "One Big Beautiful Bill" threatens to strip federal courts of their contempt power for enforcing injunctions unless plaintiffs post security, marking an unprecedented erosion of judicial authority and a potential shield for the Trump Administration against legal accountability.
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.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
The states: can they counter the Trump II attack on climate change law?
Amid a nostalgic reflection on legal heroes and cultural memory, Justice Arthur Gilbert honors the legacy of Justice Stanley Mosk, his impact on civil rights and judicial integrity, and celebrates the enduring influence of courageous individuals like Arthur Drye and Roger Diamond who stood up for justice, inclusion, and principle.
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.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
A small county's revenue-boosting scheme, which involves administratively penalizing property owners for presumed unpermitted cannabis cultivation, raises constitutional concerns about due process and the right to a jury trial.
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.
Attorney Michael S. Carrillo
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NEWS
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| Thirteen entertainment companies seek to join the Live Nation-Ticketmaster antitrust lawsuit, fearing competitors could access sensitive financial data without stronger protective order safeguards. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| While California is still No.1 in agricultural production among the states, generating about $60 billion a year, other sectors, such as technology, health care and logistics now play much larger roles in the state's economy. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| Ranch owners sue State Farm, alleging underpaid insurance claims for structures lost in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. State Farm says the homeowners' insurance did not cover buildings used for business. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles County judge allows Calabasas to test wildfire debris dumped in its landfill for hazardous materials, despite opposition from the county sanitation district, to ensure community safety. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| People who pay their rent on time can establish credit scores or significantly raise low scores if the payments are reported to credit bureaus, new research found. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| The ruling breathes new life into the Los Angeles commercial real estate company's counterclaims under the Sherman and Cartwright Acts, even as a copyright infringement trial looms. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| The businesses' attorney denies wrongdoing and says the case belongs in federal court due to constitutional issues and the involvement of a foreign bank. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| Testifying in the State Bar's ethics case against former Deputy City Attorney James Clark, attorney Paul R. Kiesel of Kiesel Law LLP insisted he acted at the city's direction and not on behalf of plaintiffs. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| A report last year from the Energy Department found AI could help increase the portion of the nation's electricity supply consumed by data centers from 4.4% to 12% by 2028. To meet this demand, some power plants are expected to burn more coal and natural gas. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Coal use has been declining for decades, but ending the use of the fuel isn't going to be easy, even in a place like California, which has ambitious climate change goals. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| MGA Entertainment urges dismissal of $71.5M verdict for infringing OMG Girlz's trade dress, arguing excessive punitive damages and lack of willfulness, seeking reduction or a fourth trial. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| The decision sends the matter back to the agency, which now faces renewed pressure to reconsider long-standing wastewater regulations. | |
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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
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| State Farm is accused of underinsuring California wildfire victims by manipulating reconstruction estimates and pushing high-risk policies to the FAIR Plan, causing an insurance crisis. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| Prosecutors alleged John Wessman paid Mayor Steve Pougnet more than $200,000 between 2012 and 2014 to influence municipal decisions on development projects. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
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| After 6 1/2 years of denying any interest in running for president, Gavin Newsom has finally fessed up. | |
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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
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| A new legislative report shows retail theft has increased modestly in recent years, especially in large urban counties--though rates remain far below their 1990s peak. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| California's insurance regulator investigates State Farm's handling of January wildfire claims, amid concerns over underpayments and delays, potentially setting new standards for disaster-related insurance claims. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| There's one small bit of good news for college students heading to campus in the fall who are borrowing to fund their education: The rates on new federal loans will fall, though ever so slightly. | |
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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
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| The big domestic policy bill passed by House Republicans last month would, by the end of this year, eliminate tax credits for homeowners and solar leasing companies that have fueled the popularity of rooftop solar. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| Bee the Buzz Media denies defrauding attorney Ronald W. Makarem with 511 fake firefighter leads, vowed to fight the allegations in federal court. | |
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General News
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| Altadena homeowner sues California FAIR Plan for bad faith denial of Eaton Fire damage claim, alleging systematic rejection of valid wildfire claims despite policy issuance one day before the blaze. | |
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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
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| Santa Ana settles with Anchor Stone Christian Church, allowing it to conduct religious services in a professional zone after a court battle over alleged discriminatory zoning practices. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles Superior Court's appellate division adopts eService starting June 16, promising faster, more efficient justice. Attorneys praise the overdue change, while self-represented litigants can opt in. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| Gas stations are a lot bigger these days, and there's a new reason for them to keep growing: electric vehicles. | |
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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
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
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| The parents of 14-year-old Armando Morales, fatally stabbed outside Santa Ana High School, are seeking unlimited damages from the district, alleging school officials ignored repeated warnings about student safety. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles judge sanctioned Mayweather Boxing + Fitness defendants for discovery violations, citing inconsistent record explanations. Another case allows a fraud claim against Mayweather to proceed. | |
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General News
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 |
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| The decision affirms the city's obligations under the state's housing element law and bolsters statewide efforts to address the housing crisis. | |
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General News
Monday, June 23, 2025 |
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| Seven men face federal charges for a $100M Brink's truck jewelry heist. Jewelers have sued, alleging Brink's lax security enabled the theft, while Brink's claims limited liability in ongoing litigation. | |
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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
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
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| Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred says her firm has not been informed of a State Bar investigation, despite a media report citing allegations of restrictive contracts and steep contingency fee arrangements. | |
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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
Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| Los Angeles judge dismisses discrimination claims against Illumination Foundation, ruling intent to join Navy isn't protected class, grants 10 days to amend complaint. | |
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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
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| SAP, agrees to allow Celonis access to mutual client data, avoiding an injunction in an antitrust lawsuit. | |
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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. | |