GUEST COLUMNS
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.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
A Conditional Use Permit lets you legally use land for specific purposes but comes with strict conditions and deadlines. Stay on top of your permit, follow its rules, and update it as your business grows--otherwise, you risk fines or losing your permit.
Manufacturers of Roundup face a wave of lawsuits over cancer claims, but plaintiffs could face unexpected tax consequences, especially with punitive damages, legal fees, and shifting tax laws potentially eating into their settlements.
Friday, May 23, 2025
The Court of Appeal's decision in Goebner v.
Superior Court clarifies that objections in probate proceedings--including
demurrers--are governed by Probate Code § 1043 rather than the 30-day deadline
in the Code of Civil Procedure.
From evidence gathering to negotiation tactics, these tips could help reshape your approach to case resolution.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Real estate's digital evolution promises incredible efficiency gains but requires advanced planning to successfully navigate cybersecurity risks.
In response to post-COVID workplace shifts, law firms--long familiar with remote work--are transforming their office spaces to support hybrid models, enhance collaboration, foster firm culture, and attract top talent through wellness, amenities, and technology.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
The Trump administration's enforcement of the long-dormant Alien Registration Act of 1940 presents immigration attorneys with an ethical dilemma and their clients with an impossible choice.
Senate Bill 607 poses one of the most serious threats in decades to the California Environmental Quality Act, undermining a 50-year legacy of environmental protection and public participation, and endangering vulnerable communities by weakening critical environmental review and accountability.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
As the Supreme Court weighs the procedural
challenge to nationwide injunctions in Trump, et al. v. CASA, Inc., et al.,
the nation must remain focused on the original intent of the 14th Amendment--to
guarantee full citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons
born on U.S. soil.
The Ninth Circuit's decision in Duarte upheld a lifetime gun ban for non-violent felons, clashing with Bruen's historical test and deepening a circuit split that now begs for Supreme Court review.
Monday, May 19, 2025
Aging on the bench is a complex and deeply personal journey, and while some judges remain sharp and effective well past traditional retirement age, the struggle to assess one's own decline, the fear of irrelevance, and the pull of legacy and identity make the decision to step down as difficult as it is inevitable.
As NIL rights continue to reshape college athletics, from high-profile transfer disputes like Nico Iamaleava's to antitrust litigation and revenue-sharing negotiations, sports lawyers are increasingly essential in navigating the legal and regulatory chaos.
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.
Leigh Ernst Friestedt
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NEWS
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Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| A San Francisco judge defended in an unusual news release by the court against allegations of harassment of women public defenders has been accused of new inappropriate behavior after the Commission on Judicial Performance found previous claims against him required no action. | |
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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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Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| California lawmakers unveiled a revised state budget that avoids deep cuts to the judiciary and includes $110 million for Proposition 36 enforcement. But Gov. Newsom's resistance and criticism from key stakeholders underscore ongoing tensions over how -- and whether -- to fund the voter-approved diversion initiative. | |
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| In response to news reports raising four-year-old allegations about a judge's treatment of women attorneys, the San Francisco Superior Court publicized a letter it received two years ago from the Commission on Judicial Performance saying it found no basis for action against the judge. | |
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| The suit claims violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act and follows complaints involving anti-Semitic remarks, including video evidence. The business' attorney dismisses the claims as politically motivated retaliation aimed at silencing pro-Palestinian voices. | |
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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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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| The putative class action states that the breach of records at Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard PC was foreseeable. | |
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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| The putative class action comes as the administration reportedly plans to halt billions more in funding to California and its public universities -- threatening the future of research institutions like UC and CSU. | |
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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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Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| San Francisco's City Attorney's Office used AI tool STARA to analyze municipal codes. It identified 174 obsolete reports for deletion, streamlining government processes. | |
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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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Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| The State Controller's Office faces a legal challenge for hiring outside counsel, with the State Personnel Board arguing improper service and excessive costs, as a judge questions the attorney general's role. | |
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Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| Hector Alejandro Paez Garcia admitted to using San Diego shell companies and cryptocurrency, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California announced. The plea comes amid a multi-agency crackdown on transnational organized crime. | |
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Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| An Alameda County judge rejected a motion to mandate G100UL unleaded fuel, citing insufficient commercial availability, preserving leaded fuel use at California airports until a viable alternative emerges. | |
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Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| Like thousands of other families, in January we lost our Pacific Palisades home to wildfire. Within minutes, every house on our side of the street was reduced to ashes, while those across the street were left untouched. | |
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Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
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| A judge pushed for resolution in a decade-long disability rights case against The Container Store, focusing on blind customers' access to touchscreens, after mediation stalled over attorney fees. | |
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Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
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| In the race to be New York City's next mayor, few issues have generated proposals as ambitious and sprawling as the housing crisis, a top concern for a growing number of voters. | |
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Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
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| Meta urges a judge to compel whistleblowers to disclose communications, arguing his ruling overly protects former employees' First Amendment rights without sufficient evidence in social media addiction litigation. | |
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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| The deal includes a permanent injunction and $100,000 penalty, as the city targets similar sites with help from internet intermediaries. But legal experts warn the litigation may trigger broader First Amendment challenges. | |
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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| The case pits executive authority against legislative oversight, with the 9th Circuit denying a stay and deepening partisan divisions over the scope of presidential power in staffing government agencies. | |
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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| AI Mode, which is rolling out worldwide in the coming weeks, will soon appear as a tab next to your Google.com search results. | |
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
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| With the Atlantic hurricane season about to start, this may be good time to consider buying flood insurance for your home -- even if you don't live in a hurricane-prone area. | |
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
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| The City of San Francisco is scrambling to secure court-ordered payments to 6,000 former Qwick Inc. workers after the hospitality staffing platform entered bankruptcy and its attorneys withdrew from the case, citing lack of contact and unpaid legal bills. The company was found to have misclassified employees in a major labor dispute. | |
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
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| Friday's meeting took place two days after the California Supreme Court recommended the Committee of Bar Examiners be restored to its position in governing the exam. | |
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Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The ruling is part of a broader discovery dispute as bellwether trials approach in litigation involving over 2,000 personal injury claims against Uber. | |
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Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The California Supreme Court has proposed amendments to restore the Committee of Bar Examiners' authority over the bar examination following the disastrous February 2025 test that was plagued by technical glitches, proctoring problems, and scoring errors. | |
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Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The residents, business owners, unhoused people, commuters and passersby in the area around Los Angeles' MacArthur Park have some things in common: They benefit from the community being clean, and they all value their safety. But that consensus papers over some significant differences about how to achieve those goals. | |
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Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| Attorneys say the company delayed public disclosure by six months and failed to follow cybersecurity protocols--allegations now under federal review. | |
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Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| The report suggests persistent access barriers, especially in rural areas, and may bolster controversial reform efforts aimed at expanding legal services through technology and non-lawyer professionals. | |
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Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| More and more, couples are choosing to live together before getting married, and some are forgoing marriage altogether. | |
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Thursday, May 29, 2025 |
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| Three years before the opening of the 2028 Summer Olympics, ambitious promises have been scaled back, supplanted by obstacles that are threatening to undercut preparations for an event that would test this city's wits and resources even in the best of times. | |
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Thursday, May 29, 2025 |
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| As two West Coast churches win the right to use ayahuasca under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, attorneys say the federal government's posture on psychoactive religious rituals is softening. Settlements in California and Washington suggest an evolving legal climate under the Trump administration, though concerns over selective enforcement remain. | |
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Thursday, May 29, 2025 |
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| Apple is facing a new antitrust class action from two Korean trade associations alleging the company unlawfully monopolizes the iOS app market by charging developers inflated commission fees--up to 30%--to appear on the App Store. The lawsuit argues Apple's public justifications are a pretext to suppress competition and protect profits. | |
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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
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| Eaton Fire cleanup workers lack PPE, risking their health. Altadena, Pasadena tenants sue Los Angeles County, Pasadena for failing to inspect rentals for toxic ash, seeking declaratory relief. | |
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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
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| California has the nation's highest rate of poverty as defined by the Census Bureau when it includes the cost of living in its calculations -- 18.9% in 2023, or more than 7 million people. | |
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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
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| Southern California Edison settled for $82.5 million litigation over the 2020 Bobcat Fire, compensating for firefighting costs and damage to Angeles National Forest, without admitting fault. | |
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025 |
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| Investors must deal with uncertainty every day. Without knowing what the markets will bring, they try to get good returns without bearing excessive risk. | |
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025 |
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| Napa property owners sue PG&E, saying they had to sell for $3.5 million less after a fire broke out mid-escrow. | |
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025 |
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| A federal judge ordered authors to provide email addresses to Google to verify licensing agreements in a copyright lawsuit over AI models powering Chrome, Gmail and other products. | |
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Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
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| Four female athletes to appeal NCAA's $2.8B NIL settlement, alleging Title IX violations as women receive only 4% of funds. The appeal aims to address disparities for millions of female student-athletes. | |
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
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| Pending litigation, backed by powerful tribal interests, could either validate or derail the framework Bonta aims to reshape | |
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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
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| Attorneys say one family searched for over a year, not knowing their loved one had already died. Records show state regulators had repeatedly warned Mercy San Juan Medical Center. | |
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Monday, June 9, 2025 |
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| The unanimous ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court likely will encourage more white men and heterosexuals to file discrimination claims even though it doesn't change the law in California or the 9th Circuit, lawyers say | |
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Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| Atomic Wallet faces a putative class action after a $100M cryptocurrency theft by North Korea's Lazarus Group, with plaintiffs alleging negligence despite known security flaws from a 2021 audit. | |
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Thursday, June 5, 2025 |
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| The California Senate has passed a bill to create a public law school at San Jose State by merging it with Lincoln Law School -- a move backers say will increase diversity in the legal field and help meet the state's civil legal needs. | |
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Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| The case centers on whether the state improperly bypassed the Attorney General's Office--and a judge called the agency's no-show at the hearing "unprecedented." | |
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Tuesday, June 3, 2025 |
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| Apple and Epic Games have returned to court in a heated clash over attorney-client privilege, filing dueling motions challenging a magistrate judge's discovery rulings related to Apple's compliance with a 2021 antitrust injunction. The dispute comes just days after Fortnite's return to the App Store. | |
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Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| Landlord RREEF America REIT is suing Novo Construction and Conflo Services for $60 million, claiming their work led to hazardous contamination that forced an early lease termination by tech tenant Samsara. | |
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Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| The Robert Takasugi Pro Bono Bar Review, founded in the 1960s by the first Japanese American federal judge, has offered free essay-focused bar prep for six decades. Now led by his son, L.A. Superior Court Judge Jon R. Takasugi, the program continues to support repeat exam takers--emphasizing discipline, feedback, and mentorship over profit. | |
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Thursday, May 29, 2025 |
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| The tattoo removal industry has seen a sharp increase in demand in recent years as technology improves, with an expected industry value of $4 billion globally by 2035, according to Allied Market Research report from May 2024. | |
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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
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| Attorneys say sports investment is attracting increased attention from private equity firms and individual investors as leagues loosen ownership rules and new media opportunities expand beyond traditional broadcasting. | |
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Tuesday, May 27, 2025 |
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| Attorneys representing hundreds of sexual abuse survivors have released newly disclosed data detailing more than 500 claims against the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The release, allowed by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali, includes internal records and allegations spanning over 60 years, marking a major moment of transparency that plaintiffs say has long been denied. | |