Constitutional Law
Ruling casts legal shadow on the release of grand jury materials
By John H. Minan
A decision by the D.C. Circuit casts a legal shadow on the release of grand jury materials on the inherent authority theory.
Litigants themselves must request the court to retain jurisdiction to enforce a settlement under CCP 664.6
Labor/Employment
Revisiting public policy regarding employment law
By William M. Crosby
The time is long overdue for legislation to assure workplace fairness through effective civil remedies for such violations. F
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) have called on the IRS Co...
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Tax returns are due on April 15 to both the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board. But...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Some federal claims can be considered simultaneously with state proceedings
By Isaac Rosen
The 9th Circuit recently held that the abstention doctrine does not preclude some federal claims from being considered simulta...
Administrative/Regulatory
California cannabis warnings may once again need a reprint
By Adam D. Brownrout
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is taking public comments on whether cannabis related products...
Entertainment & Sports
Sports venues incorporate communal engagement areas
By Rich Brand, Zak Welsh
The incorporation of communal engagement spaces into an existing or new stadium or arena can be a win-win for teams and venues.
Entertainment & Sports, Intellectual Property
Combating IP infringement on social media: a primer
By Josh Eichenstein
Explore the negative impact of social media on artists — specifically writers, comedians and photographers whose creative mate...
State Bar & Bar Associations
A call to lawyers to support your county bar association
By William L. Winslow
My experience serving on LACBA’s Board of Trustees has taught me that even longtime members are usually not fully aware of wha...
Law Practice
Avoid common mistakes when serving on outside boards
By Shari L. Klevens, Alanna G. Clair
While there is nothing inherently improper about an attorney’s service on the board of an outside organization, it can create ...
I can attest to the fact that most judges laud mediation as an opportunity to potentially resolve and remove cases from a crow...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Law Practice
California lawyers married to a military spouse
By Eileen C. Moore
Yet another example of the sacrifices military families make
Law Practice, Civil Litigation
Social media discovery: 20 commonly asked questions (Part 2)
By Peter R. Boutin, George A. Croton
Unfortunately, courts, legislatures and practitioners have struggled in developing cohesive guidelines for keeping up with the...
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Law Practice
Increased civility can lead to enhanced success during mediation
By Joan B. Kessler, Marti Stein
Sometimes lawyers get sanctioned for outrageous and improper behavior in court. But what about civility in more casual settings?
Civil Rights, Government
Bill aims to clarify the California False Claims Act
By Leah Judge, Chris McLamb
This session, the California Legislature will consider Assembly Bill 1270, which would amend the California False Claims Act t...
Government, Tax
Recent state legislation of interest and the college admissions scandal
By Erin Bradrick
The last few months have seen the introduction of a number of state Assembly bills aimed at California nonprofits—and some mor...
Construction, Civil Litigation
Ruling highlights rationale of the design immunity defense
By Garret D. Murai
Here’s a brain-twister: Can you knowingly approve something, which does not include something else, if you never considered th...
State Bar & Bar Associations, Judges and Judiciary
Justice Gilbert to be honored by Chinese Lawyers Association
By Elwood G. Lui
On April 17, the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association will celebrate its Forty Fourth Anniversary at a dinner at th...
Government
Compliance Attorneys should be wary of California’s Political Reform Act
By Matthew C. Alvarez
California laws and regulations often impose paperwork filing obligations on businesses and nonprofit organizations even when ...
Administrative/Regulatory, Corporate
What is ‘reasonable’ under California’s new consumer privacy law?
By Jeffrey L. Bleich, Peter Z. Stockburger
Although the California Consumer Privacy Act does not define the phrase "reasonable security procedures and practices," that l...
“Our Selma” is an apt description of this person we so love and respect. This affectionate possessive was how retired Supreme ...
Contracts
Click, wrap and scroll: Securing assent to online agreements
By Theane Evangelis, Michael J. Holecek
Questions sometimes arise over whether the customer, employee or independent contractor actually assented to the contract.
Every year since the early 1990s, nearly half of homicide victims have been black men.
Civil Rights, Law Practice
A right to counsel in evictions: LA can do it too
By Clare Pastore
New York did it. San Francisco and Newark did it. Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Connecticut and other jurisdictions are considerin...
Government, Tax, U.S. Supreme Court
Necessary water rate increases shouldn’t be subject to referendum
By Steven G. Churchwell
A recent Court of Appeal ruling considered whether a city’s resolution establishing new water rates over a six-year period was...
Law Practice
What Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ can teach us today
By Frank H. Wu
Contemporary debates about demographic change are not new. It isn’t easy to remember the past. It also isn’t simple to interp...
Labor/Employment
Is the holiday over? Public agencies may face wave of FLSA suits
By Jesse Maddox, Bryan Rome
Due to recent federal district court decisions in California, public employers that provide nonexempt employees who sporadical...
California Courts of Appeal, Family
Third parties can challenge the validity of premarital agreements
By Franklin R. Garfield
A recent Court of Appeal ruling deals with a case of first impression in which the validity of a premarital agreement is chall...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Environmental & Energy, U.S. Supreme Court
Holding raises interesting questions for public-lands law
By Matthew J. Sanders
At the end of March, the U.S. Supreme Court reminded us that Alaska is special. Not just for its resplendent beauty and bounti...