GUEST COLUMNS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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County Supervisor Andrew Do and Judge Cheri Pham, January 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
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NEWS
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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
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
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| A Torrance jury ruled artificial stone countertops are safe, attributing silicosis to improper handling, not defective products, in a case against Caesarstone, signaling possible trends for similar California lawsuits. | |
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General News
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| Judge Lon F. Hurwitz presided over complex civil and family law matters for more than two decades. | |
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General News
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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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| Girardi, 86, is set to be sentenced Tuesday for stealing more than $15 million from vulnerable clients. | |
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General News
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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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| Californians for Homeownership alleges the city is violating the Housing Accountability Act by using application technicalities to skirt approval obligations. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| A federal judge in Santa Ana has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by Richard Montañez, the former Frito-Lay janitor who claims to have invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The court ruled the company's public denials were protected under California's anti-SLAPP statute, but left the door open for an amended complaint. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The case, which pits state election protections against local control, will head to the 4th District Court of Appeal. | |
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General News
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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General News
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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General News
Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied a dismissal motion from the City of Long Beach and a port terminal operator, finding that a lawsuit over an oil storage project was timely under CEQA. The ruling affirms that the limitations clock begins only after final approval by the City Council--not earlier agency actions--paving the way for litigation to move forward. | |
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General News
Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| The head of California's insurer of last resort urged lawmakers Wednesday to pass a bill that would help reduce reliance on the state-run FAIR Plan. Amid a wave of devastating fires and a shrinking private insurance market, the plan's financial exposure has skyrocketed--threatening its stability and capacity to respond. | |
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General News
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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General News
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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General News
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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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
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. | |
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General News
Friday, June 6, 2025 |
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| The former chief judge of the federal appeals court faced pointed questions from a skeptical panel as he argued that "Top Gun: Maverick" infringed on a 1983 magazine article credited as the basis for the original "Top Gun" film. Judges appeared unconvinced that the sequel borrowed protected elements from the article. | |
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General News
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 |
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| The 4th District Court of Appeal has upheld a decision awarding workers' compensation to Andrea Morris, a nurse who suffered cardiac arrest and permanent brain damage while working at City of Hope during the pandemic. Her attorneys say the case highlights institutional failure and sets precedent for workplace medical emergencies. | |
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General News
Monday, June 2, 2025 |
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| The organizations say a regulatory rule undermines California's climate goals and relies on an outdated legal standard. At issue is how much deference courts must give to the Public Utilities Commission's statutory interpretations. | |
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General News
Friday, May 30, 2025 |
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| The U.S. Department of Justice filed a first-of-its-kind statement of interest Wednesday supporting two high school girls who sued their school district and state officials, arguing a California law protecting transgender student athletes violates Title IX. The case could test how courts balance gender identity rights with protections for girls' sports under federal law. | |
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General News
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. | |