Antitrust & Trade Reg., Corporate, Government, International Law
The right tool for trade relations
By Anna M. Han, Colleen Chien
Tariffs not only are a big stick good for shaking at partners, but also, as the stock market's dramatic reaction shows us, cap...
These programs are helping create a generation of “social justice solos” while diversifying the legal profession.
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, California Supreme Court, Insurance, Civil Litigation
What is an ‘occurrence’ caused by an accident?
By Aaron M. Cargain
The California Supreme Court recently heard argument on what constitutes an "occurrence" under an employer's general liability...
Administrative/Regulatory, Government
Los Angeles can finally begin licensing sidewalk vending
By Pooja S. Nair
Before this measure was passed, Los Angeles was the only major city in the U.S. with a strict prohibition on any type of stree...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Insurance, Civil Litigation
9th Circuit confirms that insurers bear heavy burden to avoid defense duty
By Linda D. Kornfeld, Julia K. Holt
A recent ruling follows California’s fundamental precepts that the duty to defend is broad, exclusions are to be narrowly inte...
Constitutional Law, Government, Judges and Judiciary, U.S. Supreme Court
Early threats to federal judicial independence
By Milan D. Smith Jr.
We are fortunate that most people have forgotten that Article III judges were unceremoniously removed from office and that the...
If you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be the target of a government agency that covets your home, go see a new movie ca...
Judges and Judiciary, Letters
Defend the independence of the judiciary
By Rupert A. Byrdsong, Brenda Harbin-Forte
As part of our mission to eradicate all forms of bias, we support and defend the independence of the judiciary and reject part...
Law Practice, Civil Litigation
Ned Good talked the talk and walked the walk
By Stanley K. Jacobs
When I joined CAALA in 1961, there were only approximately 250 members, but among them were some great lawyers. But Ned was in...
In searching for a new chief public defender, the L.A. Board of Supervisors should only consider candidates with substantial e...
Appellate Practice, California Supreme Court, Law Practice
The justices of the California Supreme Court: 2017 by the numbers
By Kirk C. Jenkins
In part one of this series, we broke down the numbers of what types of cases the court heard, where they came from, and the ho...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Labor/Employment, Civil Litigation
A devilish conflict: Public employment and religious expression
By Nathan J. Kowalski, Irma Rodriguez Moisa
Fortunately, the 9th Circuit has published several instructive decisions involving the interplay of religious freedoms and the...
Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation, U.S. Supreme Court
Next steps for patenting software in the new normal after Bilski, Mayo and Alice
By James C. Yang
The dramatic drop in allowance and increased patent invalidation rates should be discussed with inventors and businesses so th...
Insurance, Law Practice, Transportation
The long road to autonomous vehicle adoption
By Jonathan A. Michaels
Autonomous technology is far from perfected, but the end result will benefit generations who have yet to even be conceived.
California Supreme Court, Civil Rights, Judges and Judiciary
Access to justice in any language
By Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar
We all have a stake in language access in California courts — the legitimacy and viability of the legal system in such a diver...
Constitutional Law, Immigration, U.S. Supreme Court
Sometimes, it’s good to be wrong: Gorsuch’s surprise vote
By Jeffrey L. Bornstein, Andrew G. Spore
In September, we predicted a ruling upholding the Immigration and Nationality Act’s incorporation of the definition of “crime ...
Appellate Practice, California Supreme Court, Judges and Judiciary
The California Supreme Court: 2017 by the numbers
By Kirk C. Jenkins
Let’s dive into the data from last year to see what lessons we can learn about the state high court.
Appellate Practice, Civil Litigation, U.S. Supreme Court
The record on appeal versus the internet age
By Susan Yorke
A recent testy interchange between Justices Anthony Kennedy and Sonia Sotomayor highlighted a tension between the ubiquity of ...
Constitutional Law, Criminal, Government
Did ruling sound the death knell for gang injunctions?
By Daniel S. Roberts
Earlier this year, the federal court in Los Angeles entered an order which had the effect of blocking the city from enforcing ...
Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Law Practice
When to compromise: Getting paid without getting sued
By Frederick Hertz
If fighting for your fees is going to trigger a lawsuit you might lose, it's best to settle than fight for a full recovery.
Government, Tax
IRS FY 2017 updates and a possible single portal for state registration
By Erin Bradrick
Although a busy time for individual tax filers, it's been a relatively quiet month in the exempt organizations legal space, th...
Mergers & Acquisitions, Ethics/Professional Responsibility, Law Practice
Consider how to address pre-merger communications
By Shari L. Klevens, Alanna G. Clair
Without adequate foresight, a client may find that control of the privilege is now in the hands of the successor corporation.
Law Practice, Probate
Preparing a proper certificate of independent review
By Arthur J. Harris, Kavin Williams
When confronted by an elderly transferor, every competent estate attorney must reflexively obtain a California certificate of ...
Appellate Practice, California Supreme Court, Civil Litigation
Time to rethink limits on appeals by class action objectors
By Ari J. Stiller
There are good reasons for the California Legislature to revisit the "party aggrieved" standard when it comes to class action ...
Law Practice, Civil Litigation
Wisconsin’s litigation funding disclosure law may backfire
By David M. Gallagher
Laws like this will give defendants in funded cases an advantage over plaintiffs by revealing at the outset of the case when t...
Law Practice
Making law without lawyers: How the 49ers paved the way
By Gillian K. Hadfield
When the world changes as dramatically as it has over the past few decades, not only the rules need to change: the way we inve...
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Labor/Employment, Civil Litigation
Arbitrator Award in sexual harassment case tossed as irrational
By Michael H. Leb
The Supreme Court has not approved of any such standard. Even in the 9th Circuit, the award must be "completely irrational."
Administrative/Regulatory, Civil Litigation
Ruling in Proposition 65 coffee case not entirely unpredictable
By Anthony J. Cortez, Willis M. Wagner
Currently, no agency has classified acrylamide as a “known” carcinogen. Yet, according to this new ruling, coffee sold in Cali...
Family
It’s prenup season: What wealthy individuals must consider before they say ‘I do’
By Stacy D. Phillips
The plain fact is that high-net-worth individuals need to protect their financial interests before marriage.
Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation
Is the PTAB pendulum poised to swing back?
By Brenton R. Babcock
In the years since the America Invents Act took effect in 2012, what have we learned, and where are we likely heading?