California

First Amendment bars kosher inspector from suing Jewish nonprofit, 9th Circuit says

A federal appeals court has found that an inspector who ensured that food products complied with Jewish dietary law cannot pursue a job-related lawsuit against the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, a nonprofit corporation that runs the country’s largest kosher certification program.

Jan 2, 2025 1:23 PM CST

Our favorite Instagram posts from 2024

It's been another riveting year in the legal industry and for our coverage at the ABA Journal. And like clockwork, 2025 will be here before we know it.

Dec 23, 2024 10:34 AM CST

5 biggest changes to the bar exam in 2024

This year was a key moment for the bar exam, with changes to the exam and paths to licensure taking place around the country. Here are the top five that caught our attention.

Dec 20, 2024 9:13 AM CST

Does judge’s reference to ‘little Chinese woman’ show bias? Appellate concurrence sees ‘pure stereotyping’

A California judge who said he was almost amused when a “little Chinese woman” stared him down did not rule against her based on ethnic bias, but his comment was “pure stereotyping,” according to two concurring judges in an appellate opinion.

Dec 19, 2024 1:42 PM CST

Party at federal judge’s home involved ‘significant underage drinking,’ leading to fight and plaintiff’s injuries, suit says

Updated: A federal judge who oversaw one of the criminal cases against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is facing a lawsuit alleging that two “heavily intoxicated underage minors” got into a fight in front of the judge’s home during a party there that involved "significant underage drinking," leading to significant injuries for the plaintiff.

Dec 17, 2024 8:46 AM CST

California judge admonished for doing this after telling newbie attorney to stop shaking her head

A California judge has received a public admonishment partly for flinging court papers at a newbie defense lawyer because he thought that she was shaking her head at him.

Dec 12, 2024 10:21 AM CST

Must Hunter Biden’s indictment be dismissed after presidential pardon? Special counsel doesn’t think so

The special counsel’s office is opposing motions to dismiss the tax-fraud and gun indictments against Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, arguing that a presidential pardon does not require it.

Dec 3, 2024 12:48 PM CST

Attorney discipline records short of disbarment would be expunged after 8 years under state bar plan

The California Supreme Court is being asked to automatically expunge records of attorney discipline other than disbarment after eight years, provided that there is no further discipline during that period.

Nov 21, 2024 9:00 AM CST

Where have all the lawyers gone? 25% are in these 2 states with higher pay than $176K average

Twenty-five percent of all lawyers live in California and New York, states that include five of the top 10 metropolitan areas for attorney pay.

Nov 19, 2024 11:01 AM CST

Teen who enrolled in law school at age 13 becomes youngest person to pass California bar exam

A 17-year-old girl has beaten her brother’s record to become the youngest person to pass the California bar exam.

Nov 19, 2024 8:51 AM CST

Judge gives final OK to $8M settlement in Orrick data breach

A federal judge in California approved an $8 million settlement Friday in consolidated cases brought against Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe over a 2023 data breach that may have compromised the personal information of more than 638,000 people.

Nov 12, 2024 1:51 PM CST

Bar pass rates climb nationwide for July exam

Bar pass rates for the July 2024 bar exam are strong throughout the country. The expectations were high for the class of 2024. In 2021, the year that this class entered law school, applications increased by 13%.

Nov 12, 2024 10:14 AM CST

One of 2 prosecutors ousted by DeSantis wins election; how did other progressive prosecutors fare?

Voters have rejected several progressive prosecutors. Among high-profile races in Florida and California, the only liberal victor was Monique H. Worrell, who reclaimed her position as the Orange-Osceola state attorney in Florida after being ousted in 2023.

Nov 6, 2024 10:36 AM CST

BigLaw firm sanctioned for ‘flagrant violations of a protective order’

Latham & Watkins and its client must pay an attorney-fee sanction for “flagrant violations of a protective order,” according to a federal judge in California.

Nov 4, 2024 2:36 PM CST

First Amendment bars kosher inspector from suing Jewish nonprofit, 9th Circuit says

Top news stories of 2024