GUEST COLUMNS
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
A $10,000 sanctions case revealed how deeply generative AI unsettles the legal system. The passion it inspires isn't new. Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics wrestled with the same anxieties about imitation, untrained power, and institutional fragility. Their wisdom offers a roadmap.
President Trump's pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of trafficking over 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S., has drawn widespread criticism as contradictory to his simultaneous military escalation against drug traffickers.
Monday, December 8, 2025
California's legal market presents complex risks, and some firms explore international insurers, such as Lloyd's of London, as an alternative to domestic coverage.
Business cases turn on getting documents into evidence, so trial lawyers must beat hearsay objections by knowing what counts as operative documents, party admissions, or admissible business records -- and laying the foundation early.
Friday, December 5, 2025
Military bases previously renamed to remove Confederate associations have been renamed again to their original surnames, now honoring different individuals with the same last names who served in various American conflicts.
The IRS has launched electronic filing for § 83(b) elections via Form 15620, allowing founders and service providers to submit online while keeping the 30-day deadline and employer-copy requirement, though filers should be mindful of technical quirks, save PDF confirmations, and coordinate with their companies to ensure accuracy.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Meteoric rise of deepfake AI-generated content creates risks for attorneys.
Most plaintiffs in contingent fee cases must
report the entire settlement as income under Commissioner v. Banks, even
though their lawyer is paid a share, but with careful tax planning -- such as
using above-the-line deductions for qualifying claims -- they can usually avoid
paying tax on the portion of the recovery that goes to their attorney.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Despite equal ability, Black and Latino students are routinely denied early algebra access -- turning a curricular choice into a civil rights problem hiding in plain sight.
California law requires landlords to remediate hidden black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) and structural decay rather than merely covering it up.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Just as USDA acted to sustain WIC, it could -- within statutory bounds -- lawfully consider similar tools to bolster SNAP's contingency funding and help ensure benefit continuity.
California is facing a dual crisis as the engineered stone silicosis epidemic among immigrant workers grows -- now over 435 confirmed cases -- and courts struggle to manage hundreds of complex, coordinated lawsuits, creating both a public health and legal emergency.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Plans to convert Baldwin Hills from oil production to parks or housing overlook the constitutionally protected property rights of current owners, raising the prospect of regulatory overreach and the need for compensation under established law.
Mismanaging client funds -- through commingling, overdrafts, or poor recordkeeping--is the fastest route to serious State Bar discipline, making proper trust account management, including IOLTA compliance, essential for every lawyer.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The QSF regulations give claimants and their counsel broad flexibility -- there's no requirement to use a trust, but rather the opportunity to do so when it suits the situation.
Judges can enhance fairness and public trust by using respectful, clear and compassionate communication to humanize courtroom proceedings and foster a sense of justice for all participants.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Noland v. Land of the Free makes clear: AI can assist, but lawyers remain fully accountable for every word they file.
In probate law, only those with a genuine, sustained relationship or legal stake can petition to override another's autonomy, and casual acquaintances or well-meaning strangers do not have standing.
Monday, November 24, 2025
*Ramirez v. McCormack* confirms that suing opposing counsel for actions taken while representing their client -- including post-settlement advice -- is barred under California's anti-SLAPP statute, and failing to address both prongs of the motion can forfeit any defense.
Under new federal guidance, more than 3,000 rural tracts now qualify as opportunity zones, opening the door for investment in overlooked areas -- from California's Central Valley to remote corners of the country.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Broken or unstable utility vault covers and exposed wires on sidewalks across the U.S. create predictable, preventable hazards that current inspections and enforcement fail to address.
The Noland decision delivered a sharp warning to lawyers: use generative AI at your own risk, because only human judgment -- not predictive tools -- can ensure competent, ethical legal work.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
California's post-wildfire recovery efforts in early 2025 revealed both the promise and the pitfalls of its disaster laws -- exposing a system in urgent need of modernization as climate threats grow.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled against transgender individuals this year, allowing bans on military service, healthcare and identity recognition. With key cases on transgender athletes approaching, the Court shows little inclination to protect them from discrimination.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
A recent amendment to California's data breach law imposes a firm 30-day notice deadline, limiting companies' discretion to postpone alerting residents to threats.
AI tools are transforming mediation practice, from document analysis to settlement predictions, but the distinctly human elements of trust-building, empathy and reading the room remain irreplaceable in resolving disputes.AI in mediation: The modern Prometheus?
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Unlike the masked Lone Ranger who upheld justice, today's masked ICE agents raise serious legal concerns as they operate more like villains than heroes.
If you're falsely imprisoned but not exonerated, your legal recovery may be taxable --highlighting a peculiar gap in how the tax code treats lost freedom.
Monday, November 17, 2025
In State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. v.
Diblin, the California Court of Appeal reaffirmed that intentional conduct
cannot constitute an "occurrence" under a liability policy, holding that even
when a jury finds negligence, coverage is precluded if the injury stems from
intentional acts.
Plaintiffs' attorneys are increasingly turning to Washington's CEMA to challenge text-based refer-a-friend programs, drawn by its broad liability standards, statutory damages, and fee-shifting provisions.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Five years after Liu v. SEC, courts remain
split on how to apply its limits on disgorgement, leaving the SEC's most potent
remedy in need of Supreme Court clarification.
Trump calls up the National Guard in Illinois, citing "rebellion" and insufficient forces; courts and critics say there's no threat, raising 10th Amendment, federal-overreach and domestic-military concerns.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
A GOP lawsuit over California's new district maps tests whether the state's largest ethnic group -- Latinos -- can still qualify for voting protections despite their numbers but persistent political underrepresentation.
California's wildfire litigation is echoing the post-Katrina struggle over causation, with courts now facing the pivotal question of whether smoke damage counts as "direct physical loss" -- a decision that will shape recovery for years to come.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
On Veterans Day, we honor Justice Buck Compton -- a Silver Star-winning D-Day hero, Band of Brothers paratrooper and longtime California Court of Appeal justice -- whose extraordinary life blended courage in war, dedication to public service and a commitment to the law.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
As flu season sets in, even the most tireless lawyer must recognize when illness demands a pause -- because ethical duties don't take sick days.
Some fertility plaintiffs may endure painful follow-up procedures--yet still face taxes on settlements, depending on how claims are characterized and how the IRS views the loss.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston
|
|
|
NEWS
|
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
|
| Artificial intelligence is the hot new college major. | |
|
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
|
| McCluskie and Campbell pled guilty to a $250,000 campaign funds wire fraud scheme and are cooperating with federal authorities. Their plea deals mention possible future testimony and promises leniency. | |
|
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
|
| The federal appeals court signaled Friday it may overturn an injunction blocking the Trump administration from taking actions to withhold or condition federal funds from so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. Judges appointed by the president pressed San Francisco's attorney on whether Trump's latest orders actually require agencies to cut funding, drawing a contrast with his 2017 directive previously ruled unconstitutional. | |
|
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
|
| Paul Wieland believed a "smart" garage door should operate only over a local Wi-Fi network to protect a home's privacy, so he started building his own system to plug into his garage door. | |
|
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
|
| Sacramento political figures pleaded guilty to conspiracy in campaign money siphoning case. Prosecutors have also accused a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom. | |
|
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
|
| A motion filed Thursday seeks $300 million in fees and nearly $2 million in expenses as Judge William Alsup of San Francisco prepares to step aside before final approval of the Anthropic settlement. | |
|
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
|
| When you retire, one of the biggest expenses you may be confronted with on a regular basis is health care. | |
|
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
|
| A Humboldt County rancher filed a federal civil rights suit claiming deputies and prosecutors targeted him with baseless raids and animal abuse charges out of personal animus after a prior failed cockfighting case. | |
|
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
|
| A federal judge dismissed a class action alleging Alaska Airlines illegally reduced Flight Pass benefits, finding the contract allowed program changes and subscribers had already received all credits purchased before termination. | |
|
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
|
| Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that Musk's preference for his longtime lawyer outweighs concerns over Alex Spiro's potential role as a witness. | |
|
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
|
| It will take more attention to research and the stories of detained immigrants for the public to understand the degree of medical harm resulting from Trump-era raids and arrests, to ensure it doesn't happen again. | |
|
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
|
| After a three-judge panel struck down California's ammunition background-check requirement, the 9th Circuit has voted to rehear the dispute before an en banc panel, raising questions about how the court's ideological alignment will shape one of its most consequential Second Amendment rulings. | |
|
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
|
| A bot may soon be booking your vacation. | |
|
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
|
| Corrections systems across the nation have long struggled to assess the risk that female sex offenders pose if released. | |
|
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
|
| The trial set to begin this week would have featured a Who's Who of current and former Court of Appeal justices. Ex-Justice William J. Murray Jr. faced allegations that he chronically delayed issuing decisions in his cases. | |
|
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
|
| A Los Angeles judge refused to certify a proposed class of homeowners seeking damages from Southern California Edison for widespread smoke and ash from the 2017 Thomas Fire, finding plaintiffs' expert evidence inadmissible. | |
|
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
|
| A congressional hearing last week in Los Angeles on the Trump Administration's immigration raids offered a searing look at a program that has been equal parts stupid and cruel. | |
|
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
|
| Perplexity AI counters Amazon's allegations that its Comet app violated federal and state laws against illegally accessing computer accounts, arguing Amazon seeks to block its own customers from using AI agents and saying its actions do not violate any laws. | |
|
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
|
| The World Health Organization says air pollution is the biggest global environmental risk factor to human health. | |
|
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
|
| A federal judge allowed Taylor Swift fans' core antitrust and unfair competition claims against Live Nation and Ticketmaster to proceed, while permanently dismissing negligence and fraud allegations stemming from the "Eras Tour" ticketing chaos. | |
|
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
|
| Disability advocates claim racial disparities and soaring per-participant costs while supporters say the system fills gaps in mental health care. | |
|
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
|
| The U.S. economy in 2025 is split in two: Everything tied to artificial intelligence is booming. Just about everything else is not. | |
|
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
|
| Close-knit legal and behavioral health networks may be helping rural counties implement California's new mental health court more quickly than major metros. | |
|
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
|
| Plaintiffs' attorneys are increasingly sidestepping arbitration by filing so-called "headless" PAGA cases that omit individual claims -- a strategy that has produced a sharp split among California's appellate courts. Now the state Supreme Court has stepped in on its own motion to resolve whether workers may pursue non-individual PAGA claims without filing on their own behalf. The outcome could reshape labor litigation and invite renewed scrutiny from the U.S. Supreme Court. | |
|
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
|
| A group of prominent law professors has asked the state high court to probe a Nevada County prosecutor's alleged use of AI-generated citations, saying such errors pose grave risks to defendants and the integrity of judicial decisions. | |
|
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
|
| Advocates claim the EPA's delays on state air quality plans have allowed dangerous ozone pollution to persist in the West Mojave Desert and Denver region. Their suit seeks court-enforced action after years of inaction. | |
|
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
|
| Mortgages are not the only factor keeping many Americans out of the market, though the still-high rates do play a role. But so does a lack of new construction in much of the country, which is keeping home prices high. | |
|
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
|
| The company's challenge to Wachtell Lipton's fee for enforcing Elon Musk's Twitter purchase ended abruptly Wednesday with a dismissal filed with prejudice. | |
|
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
|
| San Francisco has, to the surprise of many and the continuing aggravation of a few, become "Waymo-pilled." | |
|
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
|
| Innovation Technologies Partners sued Hulu, alleging infringement of eight patents covering targeted advertising, data collection, digital rights management, and streaming controls. Hulu defeated similar claims in 2024 in a patent challenge by Piranha Media. | |
|
Friday, November 21, 2025 |
|
| In a typical year, more than 100,000 Medicaid patients depend on the emergency department at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, in a predominantly Hispanic and Black community where residents have high rates of diabetes, heart failure and pneumonia. | |
|
Friday, November 21, 2025 |
|
| Jurors found Equinox discriminated against a trainer with a hip condition, awarding him $32.2 million in one of this year's largest punitive awards in a disability case. | |
|
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
|
| A federal judge approved a $45 million settlement resolving claims that Forescout misled investors about profitability and an acquisition, ending five years of litigation after extensive discovery and appellate revival. The settlement notes that Forescout denies all the claims. | |
|
Monday, December 8, 2025 |
|
| A 9th Circuit panel upheld a restraining order barring OpenAI and IO Products from using the "IO" name, finding likely trademark infringement against startup iyO, resulting in irreparable harm. | |
|
Friday, December 5, 2025 |
|
| In a long-running dispute over coastal development, justices pressed attorneys on both sides about jurisdiction, delay, and whether recent amendments to San Luis Obispo County's Local Coastal Program have rendered the case effectively moot. | |
|
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
|
| Two powerhouse plaintiff firms have joined San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu in filing the first government lawsuit against major manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, setting the stage for a mass-tort fight over whether aggressive marketing contributed to widespread public-health harms. | |
|
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
|
| Thirty-three law firms deny responsibility for a leak of sealed records in Uber's sexual assault litigation as Judge Ethan Schulman weighs the company's failed bid to halt discovery amid ongoing confidentiality concerns. | |
|
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
|
| San Francisco's justice system faces mounting strain as public defenders and prosecutors struggle with soaring caseloads, staffing shortages and unfunded mandates. The problems are seen elsewhere in the state, with disagreement about the causes and solutions. | |
|
Monday, December 1, 2025 |
|
| Experts outline how a potential Chapter 9 by Los Angeles, L.A. County or Santa Monica would unfold, highlighting limits on judicial power, pension and creditor battles, and California's pre-filing safeguards. | |
|
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
|
| Los Angeles, Santa Monica and L.A. County face mounting litigation, pension and budget pressures that raise the prospect of Chapter 9 "debt adjustment," recalling earlier California municipal insolvencies and reforms curbing costly filings. | |
|
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
|
| The state projected 7,000 to 12,000 Californians would qualify for CARE Court, yet from October 2023 to September 2025 courts recorded only 2,873 petitions, 6,489 hearings, 620 CARE agreements and 19 court-ordered plans. Judges say families are getting help, but it's unclear whether the program is reaching the chronically homeless who generate the highest public costs. | |
|
Monday, November 24, 2025 |
|
| State privacy agency blasts federal proposals to block AI regulations as Washington considers sweeping limits on state tech enforcement. | |
|
Friday, November 21, 2025 |
|
| San Francisco settled for $5 million with Pilot Thomas Logistics, ending litigation over a diesel spill. The company dropped its claims of negligence by the city and must complete state-ordered environmental cleanup at the contaminated fueling site. | |