California

Law Firm May Be Liable for Earlier Errors

A divided California appeals court has upheld a malicious prosecution claim against a law firm that apparently resulted from conduct of the plaintiff’s lead counsel. LaFave & Rice argued, essentially, that it didn’t know of alleged defects in the case, which was filed by another law firm, but the panel…

Dec 18, 2007 6:10 PM CST

Lawyers’ Holiday Cards Announce Spoof Reality Series, Fake Inventions

Some lawyers like to get creative with their holiday cards, in a humorous way. California lawyers Michael Olecki and Allen Grodsky take pride in their unusual and original holiday cards. This year, their holiday card announces a spoof reality show scheduled because of the writers’ strike, according to the Legal…

Dec 18, 2007 5:55 PM CST

Lawyer Had Duty to Return Opponent’s Notes, Court Rules

The California Supreme Court has ruled a lawyer should be tossed from a pending case because he copied, distributed and used notes of an opposing lawyer’s meeting with expert witnesses. The court said the document was attorney work product and should not have been used, the Recorder reports. “An attorney…

Dec 17, 2007 12:09 PM CST

Bar Judge Recommends Disbarment for ‘Gladiator’ Lawyer

A California bar court judge is recommending disbarment for a lawyer accused of filing frivolous actions and meritless appeals against judges who ruled against him. Beverly Hills lawyer Richard Isaac Fine calls the charges “totally ridiculous” and says they are a product of politics, the California Bar Journal reports. He…

Dec 13, 2007 2:46 PM CST

Trustee Says Pillsbury Should Return $4M Fee

A bankruptcy trustee is recommending that Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman be forced to return about $4 million in fees to a former client because of an undisclosed conflict of interest. Trustee Dennis Connolly also suggested that the San Jose bankruptcy court delay setting an amount so it could consider interest…

Dec 12, 2007 12:16 PM CST

Anti-Mansion Law for L.A.?

Responding to a growing trend of building bigger and bigger homes, city officials in Los Angeles could impose as early as next month a controversial proposed new law that would severely limit the size of new-construction homes in established single-family neighborhoods. A number of homeowners who might wish to sell…

Dec 11, 2007 5:14 PM CST

Michael Flatley Awarded $11M for False Rape Accusation

“Lord of the Dance” star Michael Flatley has been awarded an $11 million default judgment against a woman for falsely accusing him of rape. Flatley’s lawyer, Ricardo Cestero told KNBC.com that a Los Angeles judge awarded the amount in the dancer’s lawsuit against Tyna Marie Robertson, an exotic dancer-turned-real estate…

Dec 11, 2007 3:20 PM CST

Reyes Should Get No More than 21 Months for Backdating, Judge Says

A federal judge has recommended a sentence of 15 to 21 months in prison for former Brocade Communications CEO Gregory Reyes, convicted of fraud for stock options backdating. The recommendation was in an opinion by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer that was unsealed last week, Financial Times reports. Federal prosecutors…

Dec 11, 2007 2:00 PM CST

Did Megan’s Law Website Target Rapist for Murder?

One common argument against publicly listing home addresses and other identifying information for convicted sex criminals is that it might put them in danger. But proving such cause and effect in real-life cases is difficult, to say the least. Now, however, officials in California say they might have the first-ever…

Dec 10, 2007 7:27 PM CST

Phil Spector Hires New Lawyer, No Retrial for Months

It’s official: Music producer Phil Spector announced today that he has hired another lead lawyer. And, as a result, his retrial for allegedly murdering a former movie actress at his home will be delayed at least five months. Doron Weinberg of San Francisco, who will now represent Spector, told Los…

Dec 8, 2007 1:41 AM CST

Court Bans Age Discrimination in Worker’s Comp Award

Siding with a 76-year-old worker who injured her back bending over to pick up some dropped brochures, the California Court of Appeals has reversed a reduction in disability benefits it said was because of her age. Although a medical expert concluded that Lois Vaira’s injury was in part attributable to…

Dec 7, 2007 7:12 PM CST

‘High School Musical’ Star Loses Bid to Dismiss Lawyer’s Fee Suit

A Los Angeles judge says a trial will determine whether High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens can void her contract with a lawyer signed when she was just 16. Lawyer Brian Schall claims he is due $150,000 in fees under a contract that called for the star to give him…

Dec 6, 2007 3:47 PM CST

48-Day Jail Term for Kiefer Sutherland

Actor Kiefer Sutherland was sentenced today to a 48-day jail term after pleading no contest to a drunken-driving charge. He must begin serving the sentence before March 30, reports the Associated Press. However, the star of the popular 24 Fox television series apparently plans to serve at least some of…

Dec 6, 2007 1:46 AM CST

Wealthy Lawyers Take Social Nosedive

Pity the poor BigLaw partners and other financially successful lawyers. While many have never been richer and remain well-to-do by ordinary standards, they have taken a social nosedive in recent years compared to megabucks private equity investors and hedge fund titans. Although many BigLaw partners are taking home seven-figure profits,…

Dec 5, 2007 6:30 PM CST

Appeals Court Warns of Boring Opinion

The California Court of Appeal issued a warning about boring issues and the need for caffeine in a recent opinion on insurance subrogation waivers. The opinion commends the lawyers on both sides for an outstanding job. “The fact remains that the issues are far from enthralling; they demand an almost…

Dec 5, 2007 5:07 PM CST