California

Ex-lawyer Tom Girardi lashes out at prosecutor in competency hearing; brain shrinkage reported

A prosecutor in Los Angeles claimed that an outburst by ex-lawyer Tom Girardi during a competency hearing Wednesday shows that the disbarred lawyer understands the criminal proceedings against him.

Sep 15, 2023 8:41 AM CDT

State can’t rely on ‘gossamers of speculation’ to justify ban on gun marketing to minors, 9th Circuit says

A law that bans truthful firearms advertising that appeals to minors should be blocked, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Sep 14, 2023 1:29 PM CDT

‘Torture Memos’ author testifies in ethics hearing to support Eastman’s ideas on Pence as election arbiter

John Yoo, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley School of Law—known for the Department of Justice "Torture Memos" that he wrote supporting waterboarding—testified Tuesday in support of one of John Eastman’s legal theories on how to overturn the 2020 election.

Sep 14, 2023 12:00 PM CDT

Criminal charges add twist to Trump lawyers’ disciplinary cases

“Lawyers take an oath, and they have a responsibility that’s not just to their client but to the larger legal community, to the profession and to democracy. When you have lawyers who are working against the rule of law [it’s important] to bring a comprehensive system of accountability,” says Michael J. Teter, the managing director of the 65 Project.

Sep 14, 2023 8:55 AM CDT

Kirkland & Ellis must face ex-associate’s sex bias claims, federal court says

A former associate in the intellectual property litigation group at Kirkland & Ellis in San Francisco can move forward with her sex discrimination lawsuit against the law firm, a federal judge in California ruled Wednesday.

Aug 24, 2023 10:31 AM CDT

Ex-Trump officials target ‘woke’ companies for diversity efforts

Activision Blizzard Inc. and the Kellogg Co. are the latest companies hit by claims that their efforts to diversify their workforces constitute illegal discrimination.

Aug 22, 2023 8:14 AM CDT

California Innocence Project harnesses generative AI for work to free wrongfully convicted

Updated: Several major law firms are using generative AI chatbots for their work. But as more and more lawyers adopt the new technology to maintain a competitive edge, there may be an opportunity to deliver speedy and affordable legal services to the public.

Aug 14, 2023 8:45 AM CDT

Fenwick & West aided FTX fraud by creating ‘shadowy entities,’ proposed class action alleges

Updated: A proposed class action lawsuit filed Monday alleges that Fenwick & West aided fraud by cryptocurrency exchange FTX and Samuel Bankman-Fried, its founder.

Aug 11, 2023 11:09 AM CDT

Trial lawyer’s tales include wins, losses and international intrigue

The year was 1961. Freshly minted attorney James J. Brosnahan had been on the job as a federal prosecutor in Phoenix for two days when he was handed his first trial: a capital murder case.

Aug 9, 2023 8:38 AM CDT

Criminal court judge, 72, arrested in wife’s shooting death

A criminal court judge in Orange County, California, is free on a $1 million bond after his arrest in the shooting death of his 65-year-old wife. Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, was arrested shortly before 9 p.m. on Aug. 3.

Aug 7, 2023 10:10 AM CDT

9th Circuit dissenters take aim at state-created danger doctrine

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at San Francisco should narrow the state-created danger doctrine, according to four judges who dissented when the appeals court refused to grant an en banc rehearing in a lawsuit over a mother’s drowning of her 10-month-old twins.

Aug 3, 2023 10:30 AM CDT

More than 1,700 California lawyers suspended for failure to comply with new trust account rules

More than 1,700 California lawyers have failed to comply with new trust account rules, leading to their administrative suspensions.

Jul 31, 2023 11:21 AM CDT

Biden administration will appeal decision blocking its tough asylum policy

The Biden administration is appealing a federal judge’s decision blocking an immigration rule that presumes that noncitizens at the southern border are ineligible for U.S. asylum unless they have an appointment or qualify for other limited exceptions.

Jul 26, 2023 2:52 PM CDT

Incivility could be basis for discipline under proposed ethics rule change in California

California lawyers could be disciplined for incivility under a state bar proposal headed to the California Supreme Court for approval.

Jul 24, 2023 3:17 PM CDT

Unclean hands doctrine means Lady Gaga won’t have to pay promised $500K reward for dogs

Lady Gaga doesn’t have to pay a promised $500,000 reward for the safe return of her stolen French bulldogs to a woman arrested in connection with the theft.

Jul 14, 2023 4:00 PM CDT