California

2 law schools change names because of namesakes’ notorious pasts

Two law schools are officially changing their names after learning more about their namesakes’ long-ago conduct.

Sep 27, 2022 11:13 AM CDT

Disbarred lawyer Tom Girardi’s auction items included Persian rugs, bronze statues, holographic Pokémon card

A court-ordered auction of items from disbarred lawyer Tom Girardi’s California mansion yielded nearly $500,000 that will be used to help pay creditors in the bankruptcy of his personal estate.

Sep 26, 2022 12:41 PM CDT

California bill signed into law restricts state bar sandbox proposals

A State Bar of California proposal to explore law firm ownership by nonlawyers and allow paralegals to perform certain legal services was limited Sunday, when Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring legislative approval for regulatory sandbox spending.

Sep 21, 2022 1:42 PM CDT

Top Idaho court strikes down grandparent visitation law that is based on best interest of child

The Idaho Supreme Court has struck down a state law that allows grandparents and great-grandparents to be granted visitation over the objection of fit parents—if it is in the best interest of the child.

Sep 20, 2022 1:04 PM CDT

Judge criticizes Gibson Dunn and Facebook for alleged effort to ‘obstruct and delay’ discovery

A federal judge wants additional briefing on the type of sanctions that he could consider against Facebook and its law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in multidistrict litigation alleging privacy violations by the social media platform.

Sep 19, 2022 2:50 PM CDT

Weekly Briefs: ABA supports marriage equality law; Stanford offers new model for legal ed loans

ABA president calls on Senate to support Respect for Marriage Act ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross is calling on members of the U.S. Senate to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed with significant bipartisan support in July. In a letter sent to senators…

Sep 16, 2022 3:03 PM CDT

Rape victim sues after police use her sexual-assault DNA to arrest her in unrelated crime

A rape victim who was arrested based on DNA evidence that she provided to police has filed a lawsuit against the city and county of San Francisco and police officials.

Sep 14, 2022 9:09 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: DOJ urges SCOTUS to turn down citizenship case; cop asks second justice to block vaccine mandate

Don’t accept citizenship case, DOJ tells SCOTUS The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief Monday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to deny review in a case on citizenship rights for people born in American Samoa. The brief said Congress should make citizenship decisions, and the case would be a…

Sep 2, 2022 1:40 PM CDT

California bill sealing criminal records for many offenders awaits governor’s signature

A bill sent to Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature would automatically seal conviction and arrest records of many felony offenders in the state if they avoid conviction for another felony for four years after their sentences end.

Aug 30, 2022 8:46 AM CDT

As some jurisdictions consider bar exam alternatives, ABA Legal Ed section again looks at bar pass standard

Language for a controversial law school standard, which states that at least 75% of a law school’s graduates pass a bar within a two-year period, is being examined by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar—in light of some jurisdictions considering alternative paths to law licensure.

Aug 19, 2022 2:53 PM CDT

Damages awards reach nearly 10-year high in employment cases, new report shows

A total of $1.17 billion in damages were awarded in 1,016 employment cases in 2021, representing the highest amount of damages in nearly a decade, according to a new report released in early August.

Aug 18, 2022 8:58 AM CDT

Reform-minded LA district attorney survives second recall attempt

The effort to force Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón into a recall election failed Monday.

Aug 16, 2022 12:19 PM CDT

Federal prosecutor reaches settlement over discrimination in US attorney’s office

A longtime federal prosecutor has reached a settlement in his lawsuit alleging retaliation for calling out racially discriminatory actions and language at the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California.

Aug 16, 2022 8:55 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Embryos can be tax dependents; top state court upholds mail voting

Georgia allows embryos to be claimed as dependents Embryos with a “detectable human heartbeat” can be claimed as dependents on state income tax returns in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Revenue issued guidance on the deduction after a federal appeals court upheld the state’s six-week abortion ban, which expands the…

Aug 5, 2022 2:59 PM CDT

New UCLA School of Law project studies movement to undermine critical race theory teaching

An interactive database that tracks legislative, regulatory and administrative efforts aimed at blocking alleged critical race theory teaching was recently created at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.

Aug 4, 2022 8:41 AM CDT