An IRS ruling on an issue is clearly best if you can get it. Yet, you can't always get it. What's more, in some cases it can b...
My last two columns explored the substance of extraordinary writs, but form also matters.
You never know who's going to read your column. It could even be someone like Shaquille O'Neal. ...
LA County Judge Marguerite Downing talks to the juveniles in her courtroom about their futures.
Administrative/Regulatory, Constitutional Law
An assault on religious principles
By William J. Becker Jr.
First, and overreach by Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and now a state law restricting religious institutions.
Administrative/Regulatory, Constitutional Law
Congress took away our internet privacy rights
By Ernesto Omar Falcon
For 20 years, you had a legal right to tell your cable and telephone company "no" when it came to profiting from the sale of y...
LA County Judge Robert P. Applegate focuses on settling cases but tries to stay out of the way.
Service as a judge pro tem is a unique opportunity to observe firsthand how the wheels of justice work. By Jonathan Goldstein ...
It's settled: participating in mediation early on in divorce proceedings is more cost effective, less time consuming and amica...
Cumbersome local employment ordinances with barely any track record may become state law unless legislators put on the brakes....
According to a recent lawsuit, the Coachella Music Festival is also about reining in fast fashion's desire to make a quick buc...
Judges and Judiciary
Justice Richard Aldrich to retire from 2nd District Court of Appeal in June
By Arin Mikailian
"Opening a new set of briefs is like opening the daily newspaper," Aldrich said, preparing to end almost 23 years on the appel...
Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation
Inside the DMCA's black box
By Jennifer M. Urban
Does the notice and takedown system -- which limits online service providers' responsibility to police their services for copy...
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Corporate
Internal whistleblower reports are protected
By Stephen L. Cohen, W. Hardy Callcott
A divided 9th Circuit panel said a company's retaliation for internal reports is actionable under Dodd-Frank.
Administrative/Regulatory, Government, Health Care & Hospital Law
Affordable Care Act gets an uncertain prognosis
By Michael C. Parme, Theresa M. Wynne
It remains to be seen whether a replacement plan will succeed; in the meantime, an ACA checkup is in order. ...
Immigration, Labor/Employment
Protecting immigrant workers' rights
By Kati L. Griffith
States can do more to protect unauthorized immigrant workers' rights, particularly in light of inadequate federal support. ...
The Trump administration's agenda could make a bad situation worse and place women's reproductive autonomy at increased risk. ...
Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation
When courts can approve structured dismissals
By David S. Kupetz
In bankruptcy courts as on the playground, everyone has to wait their turn, says the U.S. Supreme Court. No cutting allowed in...
Should you file an amended return, and what are the pitfalls?
Intellectual Property, U.S. Supreme Court
New copyright test may not be the final chapter
By Elliot N. Brown
One wonders whether the Supreme Court's new test will resolve or replicate the puzzles that led to this decision.
As one court has stated, "even if the insurer has not denied coverage or refused to defend, the insurer has a duty to accept a...
Long before dueling banjos, there were dueling people, including dueling politicians. ...
California Supreme Court, Government
Jerry Brown's legacy at the high court
By Joseph R. Grodin
In August, Jerry Brown will have the opportunity to appoint his 11th Supreme Court justice. But the numbers aren't the end of ...
Constitutional Law, U.S. Supreme Court
The next big takings case... maybe
By Michael M. Berger
The Supreme Court has for years been unable to arrive at a simple rule for determining when a regulation constitutes a taking.
Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities
Private equity sponsors using SPACs
By Sara L. Terheggen
Historically, "special purpose acquisition companies" only appealed to hedge fund investors. But recent years have seen a shif...
U.S. Supreme Court
Ruling weighs distributions in violation of absolute priority rule
By Evan M. Jones, Daniel S. Shamah
A recent Supreme Court ruling has closed the door to distribution of entire estates in violation of the absolute priority rule.
Administrative/Regulatory, Constitutional Law
Modern surveillance is mass surveillance
By Jennifer Stisa Granick
Because modern surveillance is mass surveillance, Congress should pass laws that will preserve civil liberties.
Education Law, Civil Rights, U.S. Supreme Court
Disabled students' rights ruling stops short of true equality
By Kim Karelis
Until last week, the educational opportunities of minor students with disabilities have been hobbled by a decision the U.S. Su...
California Courts of Appeal
Ruling is a win for vulnerable nursing home patients
By Stephen Garcia, David M. Medby
A Court of Appeal held that in an action for violations of a patient's rights, a plaintiff may recover up to $500 per cause of...
Administrative/Regulatory, Government
Funding cut will deny Californians access to legal aid
By Maureen E. Keffer
The Trump administration's plan to eliminate federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation will hurt poor people and vuln...