California

  • July 16, 2026

    Quinn Emanuel To Rep OpenAI In Apple Trade Secrets Fight

    OpenAI has turned to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP to represent it in Apple's suit claiming that the artificial intelligence company worked with former Apple employees to misappropriate confidential information and speed up its consumer hardware business, according to the case docket.

  • July 16, 2026

    Meta Staffers Fight Uphill To Block Allegedly AI-Targeted Cuts

    A California federal judge indicated Thursday he won't immediately block Meta Platforms Inc. from laying off most of the 26 workers who claim the company used artificial intelligence to target them, but said he'd take a closer look at four on work visas who could be irreparably harmed.

  • July 16, 2026

    Northrop's $75M LA Contamination Deal Gets Preliminary OK

    A California federal judge Thursday preliminarily approved a $75 million class deal struck mid-trial by Northrop Grumman and residents of a Los Angeles suburb who accused the aerospace company of contaminating their properties, a day after hundreds of the neighborhood's residents filed a similar lawsuit in state court.

  • July 16, 2026

    Paramount Beats Effort To Quickly Block $110B Warner Deal

    A California federal judge denied a preliminary injunction request Thursday from consumers challenging Paramount Skydance Corp.'s pending $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery after challenging their attorney to cite more recent rulings beyond the 1960s-era U.S. Supreme Court cases he relied on.

  • July 16, 2026

    Apple, Amazon Face Bid To Revive Wash. Antitrust Suit

    Plaintiffs' counsel urged a Seattle federal judge Thursday to rethink dismissal of a proposed antitrust class action accusing Apple and Amazon of illegally restricting sales of iPhones and iPads, contending that attorneys at Hagens Berman couldn't have concluded from their client's "ambiguous" message that he wanted to get out of the case.

  • July 16, 2026

    Calif. Justices Put Kibosh On Appeal Strategy In Med Mal Case

    The California Supreme Court on Thursday clarified the state's final judgment rule and held that a voluntary dismissal intended to speed up appellate review of adverse trial court rulings in a medical malpractice case essentially forfeited the case for the plaintiffs.

  • July 16, 2026

    Fat Brands Execs Beat Investor Suit Over $47M Loan Scheme

    A California federal judge has dismissed former and current Fat Brands executives from a proposed class action accusing them and the restaurant group of falsely claiming to be cooperating with the government's investigations into allegations that its CEO orchestrated a $47 million loan scheme, causing stock prices to plunge when criminal charges were announced.

  • July 16, 2026

    Calif. Says AT&T Mustn't Make Move From Copper 'Disorderly'

    The California Public Utilities Commission has told AT&T that it's not pleased to hear that the cost of certain copper services has gone up "exponentially" as the state and the mobile behemoth duke it out in federal court and at the Federal Communications Commission over AT&T's desire to end legacy copper service.

  • July 16, 2026

    'Top Gun' Article Heirs Ask Justices To Review Similarity Test

    The heirs of the journalist whose 1983 magazine article inspired the original "Top Gun" movie have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive their copyright lawsuit over "Top Gun: Maverick" and resolve what they call a circuit split over how courts should compare allegedly similar works.

  • July 16, 2026

    Albright Declines To Ship Tesla Dispute To California

    A Texas federal judge on Thursday refused to grant Tesla's request to transfer a patent infringement suit against the electric-car maker to California, finding that all the factors weighed neutrally, and that Tesla had therefore not shown a good reason to move the case.

  • July 16, 2026

    'No Time To Waste' On Google Antitrust Reports, Judge Says

    A California federal judge said Thursday there's "no time to waste" to begin monitoring a three-year injunction against Google in Epic's antitrust battle over Google's Android app store policies, saying he wants monthly reports now that the parties have agreed to accept the injunction terms he laid out.

  • July 16, 2026

    Tax Filers Seek Class Cert. In Google Privacy Suit

    Online tax return filers who alleged Google's tracking tool effectively eavesdropped on their confidential tax information asked a California federal judge to certify several classes in their suit against the search giant.

  • July 16, 2026

    Calif. Tells 9th Circ. AI Disclosure Law Helps Consumers

    The state of California has pressed the Ninth Circuit to affirm a district court's decision denying xAI's injunction request against a state law requiring artificial intelligence companies to disclose what's included in training their models, saying the law advanced "an important governmental interest" in providing transparency to the public.

  • July 16, 2026

    As Law Firms Race To Adopt AI, Cost Concerns Grow

    Pressure is mounting on law firm leaders to dive into the AI waters or watch competitors swim away, but figuring out responsible, cost-effective methods to use high-priced legal tech remains tricky, experts say.

  • July 16, 2026

    Mich. AG Says Solar Financing Scheme Hit 1,700 Consumers

    Michigan's attorney general has accused Climax Solar, its owner and the seven financial institutions that financed consumer purchases of the company's home solar systems of participating in a widespread solar finance scheme that promised customers big savings but resulted in long-term debt.

  • July 16, 2026

    Lowe's Hit With Post-Recall Suit Over Fire-Prone Yard Tools

    Lowe's sold gardening power tools without disclosing a defect in their lithium-ion batteries that have been short-circuiting or catching fire, ultimately leading to a "dangerously deficient" recall that unnecessarily has burdened customers with a tedious process to get battery replacements, according to a proposed class action in California federal court.  

  • July 16, 2026

    Realtek, MediaTek Drop Case Alleging Bogus Patent Litigation

    Taiwanese semiconductor-makers Realtek and MediaTek have agreed to drop a case in which the former accused the latter of colluding with other companies to harass Realtek with bogus patent cases.

  • July 16, 2026

    Ellis George Litigation Trio Joins Steptoe In Los Angeles

    Steptoe LLP announced that three experienced litigation attorneys have joined the firm's Los Angeles office as partners from Ellis George LLP in what the firm said is the latest step in its focus on expanding its operations in and around the city.

  • July 16, 2026

    Ashurst Perkins Adds Tax Pro In LA From Stradling Yocca

    Ashurst Perkins Coie announced Thursday that it has bolstered its tax practice with a Los Angeles-based partner who came aboard from Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth PC.

  • July 16, 2026

    In Uber Assault Trial, A Courtroom Tests Truth Face-To-Face

    This is the first in a two-part series about the Virginia Revival Model courtroom in the Charles R. Jonas federal courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here, judges and attorneys recall how a sexual assault trial against Uber unfolded in a space designed to place focus on the witnesses.

  • July 16, 2026

    AG Merger Case Gets New Judge After Paramount Recusal Bid

    A new California federal judge has taken over from the one originally assigned the lawsuit from Democratic state attorneys general challenging Paramount Skydance's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, putting the case in front of the same judge hearing challenges from consumers and the Writers Guild of America.

  • July 15, 2026

    Circuit-By-Circuit Guide To The US Supreme Court's Term

    Federal appeals courts had wide-ranging successes and struggles during the U.S. Supreme Court's recently completed term: One had its best showing in years following its worst showing in years; one felt déjà vu after recently starting to find favor with the justices; and one saw its reputation for independence occupy a rare role in the Supreme Court spotlight.

  • July 15, 2026

    Intel, Google Fight 'Free Rein' Given To USPTO Head

    Intel and Google have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to vacate a Federal Circuit ruling upholding the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's precedent allowing Patent Trial and Appeal Board petitions to be denied based on related litigation, saying the ruling essentially gives the patent office director "free rein."

  • July 15, 2026

    Apple's 'Hide My Email' Doesn't Work As Promised, User Says

    While Apple Inc. assures consumers it prioritizes their privacy with its "Hide My Email" feature, which purports to shield users' email addresses from third parties, the feature doesn't actually work as promised, according to a proposed class action filed Wednesday in California federal court.

  • July 15, 2026

    'I Won't Be A Silent Jury,' Judge Says As SVB Trial Wraps

    The California federal judge overseeing the bench trial on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's claim that Silicon Valley Bank's officers mismanaged its assets before the bank's 2023 collapse told the two sides on Wednesday to be prepared for interruptions to their closing arguments, saying "I won't be a silent jury."

Expert Analysis

  • What A Court Doc Audit Reveals About Erroneous Filings

    Author Photo

    My audit of 1,522 court documents from last month found that over 95% contained at least one verifiable error, with fewer than 1% showing clear indicators of artificial intelligence use — highlighting above all else that lawyers may want to focus most on strengthening their review processes, says Elliott Ash at ETH Zurich.

  • Opinion

    FTC Case Risks Redefining Price Discrimination

    Author Photo

    Federal Trade Commission v. Southern Glazer puts a spotlight on the blurry line between illegal price discrimination and ordinary competition, and could potentially set a precedent that puts nearly any manufacturer at risk of Robinson-Patman Act enforcement, says Jeremy Sandford at Econic Partners.

  • Parsing Rule 12(c) Motion Overuse In Securities Class Actions

    Author Photo

    Defendants in securities class actions have more frequently been filing motions for judgment on the pleadings following the denial of motions to dismiss, but courts have recently demonstrated an increasing willingness to reject these previously rare motions, finding them transparent attempts to relitigate already-decided issues, say attorneys at Labaton Keller.

  • Preparing For New Calif. Pay Data Reporting Requirements

    Author Photo

    California's S.B. 464 overhauls the state's pay data reporting framework by requiring employers to use job categories that are based on the Standard Occupational Classification system, increasing both the potential visibility of pay disparities and the complexity of compliance, say attorneys at Kaufman Dolowich.

  • Pension Case Offers Entertainment Work Exception Insights

    Author Photo

    A recent Ninth Circuit decision clarified that any amount of entertainment work can satisfy the entertainment industry exception under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act, reinforcing that statutory language, rather than evolving business models, dictates withdrawal liability outcomes, say attorneys at Seyfarth.

  • Justices' Ruling Stresses Quick Action Against Absconders

    Author Photo

    Following the U.S. Supreme Court's recent holding in Rico v. U.S. that a supervised release term is not automatically extended when a defendant absconds, probation officers and prosecutors risk being unable to address later violations if they don't act promptly to secure warrants, say attorneys at Winston & Strawn.

  • How Cos. Can Navigate The Patchwork Of AI Safety Bills

    Author Photo

    In the first few months of 2026, state and federal lawmakers introduced hundreds of bills to address the perceived safety risks of artificial intelligence, so companies should assess whether existing or planned services could be scoped into AI safety legislation across jurisdictions, say attorneys at Hogan Lovells.

  • Series

    Calif. Banking Brief: All The Notable Legal Updates In Q1

    Author Photo

    As usual, California remained a hub for financial services activity in the first quarter of 2026, with key developments including the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's eye on consumer issues, a bill targeting "pig butchering" schemes, and jam-packed courts, say attorneys at Joseph Cohen.

  • Series

    Ultramarathons Make Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Completing a 100-mile ultramarathon was tougher, more humbling and more rewarding than I ever imagined, and the experience highlighted how long-distance running has sharpened my ability to adapt to the evolving nature of antitrust law and strengthened my resolve to handle demanding, unforeseen challenges, says Dan Oakes at Axinn.

  • When AI Puffery Becomes Actionable Securities Fraud

    Author Photo

    Though courts usually hold that vague but optimistic corporate statements don’t constitute securities fraud, signs suggest that investors may give enough economic weight to references to artificial intelligence in public company disclosures that broad feel-good statements could cross into actionable misrepresentation, says Christine Polek at Keystone Strategy.

  • State FARA Laws Pose Unique Constitutional Challenges

    Author Photo

    Several states have recently enacted foreign agent registration and disclosure regimes that were modeled after the Foreign Agents Registration Act, but these state laws raise several constitutional questions, including concerns about preemption, speech and petition, and vagueness, says Alexandra Langton at Covington.

  • In First For DOJ, Action Signals New CFIUS Enforcement Era

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking judicial enforcement of a divestment order, an unprecedented action for the agency that ushers in a new phase for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, one in which judicial proceedings complement administrative oversight and presidential divestment orders may be enforced through litigation, says attorney Sohan Dasgupta.

  • 6th Circ. Can Extend Insurance Valuation Clarity Beyond Auto

    Author Photo

    In rehearing Clippinger v. State Farm, the Sixth Circuit can align itself with the recent drumbeat of other circuits rejecting class certification of auto total loss claims and set standards that apply to similar claims brought under homeowners and other types of insurance policies, say attorneys at Jackson Walker.

  • 9th Circ. Ruling Clarifies Doc Protection Limits In Gov't Probes

    Author Photo

    The Ninth Circuit's recent decision in Kalbers v. U.S. Department of Justice confirms that Rule 6(e) provides robust protections when documents are in the government's possession only through a grand jury subpoena, emphasizing for companies the importance of careful labeling from the outset of an investigation, say attorneys at Cooley.

  • Spotlight On Legal Battles Over EEOC Subpoena Powers

    Author Photo

    Attorneys at Wilson Elser consider the spate of litigation over the past year, spurred by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s focus on alleged religious discrimination at universities, and corporate diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and how it may affect the attempts to assert privacy rights against the agency's broad subpoena powers.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the California archive.