GUEST COLUMNS
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Developers who were hoping for an expansion of opportunity zones recently got some disappointing news.
The fact that many charters are non-union is a big factor in the conflict, perhaps the dominant one.
District Attorney George Gascón was elected on promises that he would reform and reshape the justice system in Los Angeles, the largest district attorney's office in the country.
Drought reporting systems can predict where wells will go dry and help communities prepare to take action before they run out of water.
Lock in the details for a “middle mile” broadband infrastructure plan before June 15 to secure billions in federal funding.
Monday, June 14, 2021
Amid growing scientific research into therapeutic uses for psychedelic drugs and a progressive push to soften punishment for drug crimes, California lawmakers are considering a bill to legalize magic mushrooms, Ecstasy and several other hallucinogenic substances.
California's grand reopening day is almost here, but it comes with a few asterisks.
5 steps to help you successfully navigate today's housing market | Personal Economy | By Ryan Onishi
In many parts of the country, home prices have been soaring. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median existing-home price rose more than 17 percent in the one-year period ending in March 2021. This reflects just how competitive the market has become for homebuyers.
Maya, a pregnant mother living in her car with her 6- and 8-year-old children, reached out for help in Sacramento last April. Within 24 hours, she received a hotel voucher and rental assistance for permanent housing. She also was linked with local programs that provided a crib and diapers for her child on the way, home-based trauma support and referrals to other community services.
Friday, June 11, 2021
As public health and health care leaders, we are overjoyed to see diminishing numbers of COVID cases.
Lawyers craft legal arguments for their court cases. AI-based legal reasoning systems will be able to assist in such efforts and might eventually be able to do so autonomously. For those that have the wherewithal to afford such AI systems, they can stockpile a vast array of as-yet disclosed legal postures, though some believe that such hoarding is wrong and needs to be made available to all.
New York's post mortem right-of-publicity statute recently came into effect. Its previous right-of-publicity laws were an extension of its statutory right of privacy which provided that "any person whose name [or likeness] is used within [New York] for advertising [or trade] purposes without ... written consent" can sue for an injunction and damages.
Thursday, June 10, 2021
The Treasury Department is expected to publish new rules to say that businesses that receive crypto worth more than $10,000 would have to file a current transaction report with the government, naming names and giving details.
California's evolution into a cultural melange in the latter half of the 20th century posed a question that still looms: Can such a complex society achieve the broad social consensus that's a prerequisite for effective governance?
With rare exceptions, such as a need to discuss administrative matters, an ex parte communication between an arbitrator and attorney is unethical.
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
We human beings hate to admit failure. Even though our brains may know when some endeavor has failed, our emotions and our egos may drive us to continue trying to make it work.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District recently adopted a first-of-its-kind "indirect source rule" that makes owners and operators of warehouse distribution facilities responsible for pollutants generated by the diesel trucks that service their facilities.
"Going Dutch" now may mean increased corporate liability for climate change impacts after a Dutch court found that Royal Dutch Shell has a duty of care to affirmatively and swiftly address the impacts of climate change.
I am a Black grandparent, homeowner and member of the Altadena Town Council. I grew up in a single-family home, and my husband and I have lived in our house in Altadena for more than two decades.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
A pivotal First Amendment case involving student use of social media and the allowable boundaries of school regulation of off-campus speech is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Monday, June 7, 2021
Eight in ten deaths from COVID-19 nationwide have been among adults aged 65 years and older. Concentrated among long-term care facility residents, these losses are prompting our nation to rethink how we care for seniors with chronic care needs.
When retired lobbyist Jay Michael and I wrote a book about political power shifts two decades ago, we devoted one chapter to the dramatic evolution of California's Indian tribes from repression and abject poverty to having a legal monopoly on casino gambling.
For most investors, it's no surprise that markets are subject to up-and-down fluctuations over time. And if you are investing with a long-term perspective, it's pretty common for your portfolio to experience temporary declines in value.
With a deluge of dollars flowing into California's coffers from state taxpayers and Uncle Sam, Democratic leaders in the Legislature have agreed on a budget plan that would spend slightly less than what Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed, while still pouring billions of dollars into helping Californians recover from the pandemic.
If you were told that there's a law on the books that lets police target people for special prosecutions on the basis of race, would you believe it? Would you believe that this law lets police designate Black and Brown kids for surveillance and harassment, and allows prosecutors to suspend many of the rules that protect the rights of white people?
Friday, June 4, 2021
Before the Kardashians, before Empire, before "Crazy Rich Asians," there was "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" with Robin Leach. Moore v. Teed, 48 Cal. App. 5th 280 (2020), is about the unfulfilled wishes and dashed dreams of the $13 million dollar "fixer upper."
We recently wrote about a case in the Southern District of New York against Mashable relating to the embedding of content from social media platforms like Instagram.
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Securing continuous funding to invest in broadband infrastructure in poorly served communities will create jobs and provide economic opportunities.
Earlier this year, the California State Teachers Retirement System issued an ominous statement: teacher retirements in California are projected to hit nearly record-breaking heights in 2021.
It's been a hard year in the Golden State. Californians continue to mourn the loss of loved ones and struggle with unemployment, and some fear losing their businesses. But in recent weeks, with the increased rate of vaccinations and the decreased number of COVID-19 cases, recovery appears to be on the horizon.
A single paragraph on Page 180 of Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised 2021-22 budget refers to one of the state government's most vexing dilemmas — an immense debt it owes to the federal government for support payments to millions of Californians who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Chair of the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, introduced the Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2021 to "overhaul" U.S. antitrust law.
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Students attending college in the fall will pay higher interest rates than last year on money borrowed to finance their education.
Irreparable harm, although a necessary element of injunctive relief, can be difficult to pin down in unfair competition cases. Any brand owner would intuitively understand the competitive harm that could result from losing control of their reputation.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
As California is aiming to scrap the color-coded tier system that has restricted the operations of businesses by June 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Senate Bill 93. SB 93 provides rights to certain workers that have been laid-off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly employees in the hard-hit hospitality industry.
Gas prices fell sharply at the beginning of the pandemic but have been rising steadily in recent months.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has repeatedly made housing affordability a top priority of his administration. But getting a good read on his thinking can be difficult.
Last November, I was supposed to go home. I had served 17 years in prison for a crime I committed at age 20. I was granted clemency by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Nov. 10, 2020, because of the person I worked to become.
Friday, May 28, 2021
Hard seltzer first hit the marketplace about five years ago and rapidly grew in popularity with sales exceeding $4.5 billion in 2020. Wanting to ride the wave of success, many companies have introduced hard seltzers into this now crowded space. But what is a hard seltzer?
On May 7, the Justice Department released a proposed rule that adds teeth to President Joe Biden's promise to crack down on "ghost guns" — homemade firearms that lack serial numbers.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
The Declaration of Independence proclaims "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," but despite our aspirations, all Americans do not enjoy equal opportunity.
A recent Supreme Court ruling may give oil companies an advantage when it comes to removing climate change lawsuits to federal court.
There is a seamless connection between what Gavin Newsom is saying and doing as governor and his campaign to survive a recall, encapsulated in the slogan "California Comeback."
Two unknowns of European trademark law were just answered in a case involving one of the oldest and largest wineries in Los Angeles, San Antonio Winery.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
What might feel like luck of the draw to anxious renters is really a strategy by Los Angeles and cities across the country to attempt a fair and equitable distribution of $45 billion in federal money to tenants most at risk of eviction, even as states struggle to disperse funds fast enough and early assessments paint a messy picture of California's rollout.
Special college-savings programs known as 529 plans, which have been around for more than two decades, have become cheaper and more flexible over the years. But families should still do some comparison shopping before choosing a plan, advisers say.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
In the first week of May a young salmon boat captain struggled to keep his boat stable and fishing while getting bashed by an unruly spring wind storm near the San Mateo-Santa Cruz county line.
Almost a week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a guidance on what vaccinated people can and cannot do.
Growing up as the youngest child of four, Fernando Gomez would often pass the time by watching his two older brothers play the video games Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy while sitting cross-legged on his brother's bed.
Sascha Hughes-Caley was a little uncertain as she registered with a state website promising to connect volunteers with COVID-19 vaccination clinics that needed help. She had time to volunteer after being laid off from her educational technology job, but she was still caring for her toddler and wasn't sure she could handle a long shift.
Monday, May 24, 2021
California taxes are high, and if you are a very high income earner, they could go up. California legislators have proposed tax hikes, reprising two tax bills introduced in 2020 that failed to pass. With the economy improving and the state hungry for money, perhaps this year will be different. One tax bill would raise the state's already stratospheric top income tax rate by up to 3.5% for very high incomes. The other is a controversial wealth tax.
California is becoming ground zero for the climate crisis. Intensifying drought and wildfire emergencies caused by climate change are the harbingers of a great gamble that risk the loss of California as we know it.
The number of Californians 65 years and older is projected to double over the next 25 years, while becoming increasingly diverse. More than half of the aging population will require some form of long-term care.
Whenever politicians spend large sums of taxpayer money on pet projects, they invariably overstate their supposed economic benefits, particularly creating oodles of "good-paying jobs."
For today's senior citizens, relying on a neighbor's help could be less safe than you'd think, especially in large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York and Miami.
Friday, May 21, 2021
Like prior government efforts, the executive order does not directly impose cybersecurity measures on private companies, but it does impose some contracting and consumer requirements intended to encourage cybersecurity improvements.
In a proposal to reverse a misguided Trump administration policy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is on track to restore California's authority to set standards for greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.
Seems like everyone knows about the seemingly astute advice to never bring a knife to a gunfight. A bit of myth-busting can showcase that there are holes in that wisdom. In any case, an analogous matter is arising of being armed with your own algorithms, of which Bring Your Own Legal Algorithm is worthy of close attention.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
For nearly a decade, there has been a groundswell of cultural and social movements seeking to rectify racial injustice, largely fueled by social media.
With oral arguments done in the Supreme Court for this term, what is left is waiting for its rulings. The court heard arguments in 64 cases and as of May 15, 31 have been decided. The rest will come down between now and the end of June. What are the most important cases still to be decided?
There is a persuasive argument not only that all lawyers should make the time for pro bono work, but there is an ethical responsibility to help out those who are unable to afford the assistance of an attorney and navigate our system of justice.
Gavin Newsom loves superlatives, even when they are unwarranted, and a strong surge in state revenues gave him the opportunity last week to indulge his peculiarity.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
The home-buying market this spring is not for the faint of heart.
The Court of Appeal's ruling on this issue gives attorneys a monopoly over the entire process of negotiating — the drafting, reviewing and discussion of agreements with the other side, etc. As leaving this holding in place will have long-standing and broad implications, it seems worthy of the high court's consideration.
Calbright College may be flunking out.
U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar
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