California

  • July 03, 2025

    State Telecom Roundup: States Rush To Meet New BEAD Regs

    States were allocated their share of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program two years ago. Some states were nearly ready to announce which companies would receive a slice of the funding and exactly how much they would get when President Donald Trump's administration shook things up in early June by rescinding all the awards.

  • July 03, 2025

    Gov't Must Still Face Claim In Calif. Shipyard Cleanup Suit

    A California federal judge on Thursday granted the U.S. government's bid to trim some claims from a suit challenging aspects of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Superfund site cleanup in San Francisco, but not all of them.

  • July 03, 2025

    Real Estate Recap: CEQA, Data Center Energy, Midyear Views

    Catch up on this past week's key developments by state from Law360 Real Estate Authority — including attorney insight into this week's reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act, how states are approaching energy demand for data center projects, and where the commercial and residential real estate sectors stand at the midyear.

  • July 03, 2025

    Ex-Sports Agent Accused Of Trapping Woman As 'Sex Slave'

    Jonathan Barnett, once named the "World's Most Powerful Sports Agent" by Forbes, is accused of forcing an Australian woman to serve as his "sex slave," while his sports agency within Creative Artists Agency ignored the "obvious red flags" of abuse, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in California federal court.

  • July 03, 2025

    Fortnite Creator Accused Of IP Violations For In-Game Comms

    The creator of the popular video game Fortnite has been sued by a California company claiming the game's player-to-player messaging options infringe patents it holds related to communications via internet protocols.

  • July 03, 2025

    Youths Urge 9th Circ. To Revive Federal Equal Protection Case

    A group of youths is asking the Ninth Circuit to revive its lawsuit alleging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Management and Budget are violating the youngsters' constitutional rights by not properly protecting them from climate change.

  • July 03, 2025

    EEOC Says Calif. Supermarket Chain Obstructing Bias Probe

    A California supermarket chain has refused to turn over applicant and employee data to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, hindering its investigation into whether the retailer discriminated against non-Hispanic workers, the agency told a federal court.

  • July 03, 2025

    Genentech's $122M MS Drug Royalties Case Ends In Mistrial

    A California federal judge declared a mistrial Thursday after jurors reached an impasse in Genentech Inc.'s $122 million breach of contract case over patent royalties from sales of Biogen MA Inc.'s multiple sclerosis medicine, telling the parties she's open to Genentech's suggestion that they forgo a jury for the retrial.

  • July 03, 2025

    3 More Athletes Appeal NCAA NIL Settlement To 9th Circ.

    Two former wrestlers, including an Olympic medalist, and a former walk-on football player have joined the list of college athletes announcing plans to appeal the $2.78 billion name, image and likeness settlement with the NCAA, arguing that they are receiving far too small a portion of the compensation package.

  • July 03, 2025

    SPEX To Appeal $553M Patent Verdict That Was Cut To $1

    SPEX Technologies Inc. will appeal a federal judge's decision to cut its $553 million verdict against Western Digital for data security patent infringement to $1 along with all other adverse rulings in the case.

  • July 03, 2025

    50 Cent Faces Uphill Battle To Stop Release Of Horror Film

    A California federal judge appeared ready Thursday to reject 50 Cent's efforts to stop the release of a horror film that allegedly uses the rapper's name and likeness without authorization, saying he's "skeptical" of the request and unclear about how the rapper's reputation would be harmed by the film's release. 

  • July 03, 2025

    Plumbing Co. Seeks $25M In Coverage For ERISA Claims

    A plumbing subcontractor told a California federal court that its primary insurer was improperly limiting its coverage in an employee stock ownership plan dispute, hindering its ability to tap into its full $25 million tower of management liability coverage.

  • July 03, 2025

    Circuit-By-Circuit Recap: Justices Send Message To Outliers

    It was a tough term at the U.S. Supreme Court for two very different circuits — one solidly liberal, one solidly conservative — that had their rulings overturned in eye-popping numbers. But it was another impressive year for a relatively moderate circuit that appears increasingly simpatico with the high court.

  • July 03, 2025

    The Moments That Shaped The Universal Injunction Case

    The U.S. Supreme Court voted along ideological lines when it hindered the ability of federal district court judges to issue nationwide pauses on presidential policies, but that outcome didn't seem like a foregone conclusion during oral arguments earlier this year. What do the colloquies suggest about the justices' thinking? Here are some moments that may have swayed them.

  • July 03, 2025

    Natera Inks $8.25M Deal To End Prenatal Tests Suit

    A proposed class of buyers of Natera Inc.'s noninvasive prenatal tests has asked a California federal court to give preliminary approval to an $8.25 million settlement to resolve claims that the company knew the tests were unreliable but failed to tell buyers.

  • July 03, 2025

    Orrick Adds Nixon Peabody Public Finance Atty In LA

    Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is boosting its finance team, bringing in a Nixon Peabody LLP public finance pro as a partner in its Los Angeles office.

  • July 03, 2025

    The Firms That Won Big At The Supreme Court

    The number of law firms juggling three or more arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court this past term nearly doubled from the number of firms that could make that claim last term.

  • July 03, 2025

    Breaking Down The Vote: The High Court Term In Review

    The U.S. Supreme Court once again waited until the term's closing weeks — and even hours — to issue some of its most anticipated and divided decisions.

  • July 03, 2025

    GAO Denies Challenge To Navy's $157M Saudi Support Deal

    The U.S. Government Accountability Office found no problems with the U.S. Navy's decision to award a $157 million task order for services to support the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, rejecting a company protest alleging that its lower-cost proposal was not reasonably considered.

  • July 03, 2025

    Supreme Court Takes Up Transgender Sports Bans

    The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear challenges to West Virginia and Idaho laws barring transgender athletes from competing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity, putting yet more anti-trans legislation to the test after upholding Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors this term. 

  • July 03, 2025

    Sidley Adds DLA Piper Private Credit Expert In San Diego

    Sidley Austin LLP is growing its finance team, announcing Wednesday it is bringing in a DLA Piper specialist in private credit as a partner in its San Diego office.

  • July 02, 2025

    Calif. Man Charged In Plot To Murder Fed. Judge, Senator

    A California man allegedly belonging to an online-based terrorist group is accused of soliciting the murders of a federal judge, a U.S. senator, a former U.S. attorney and other officials the organization deemed to be obstructing their white supremacist aims, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday.

  • July 02, 2025

    NCAA, NASCAR Antitrust Challenges Permeate 2025's 1st Half

    The first half of 2025 saw the dispute between NASCAR and two of its teams become supercharged and a judge give final approval to the disputed settlement for the NCAA name, image and likeness antitrust litigation.

  • July 02, 2025

    DHS Accused Of Targeting 'Individuals With Brown Skin' In LA

    Immigration rights groups and individuals who were arrested or stopped during recent federal immigration operations in Los Angeles filed a putative class action on Wednesday, accusing the federal government of targeting brown-skinned people and day laborers without warrants and keeping detainees in "dungeon-like" facilities.

  • July 02, 2025

    States Say DHS' Softer Stance On Grants Doesn't Moot Suit

    A collective of 20 states said Wednesday that only Congress can change the terms of federal grants, telling a Rhode Island federal judge that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's softening of its stance on withholding funds to states that don't cooperate with immigration enforcement cannot moot their suit against the government.

Expert Analysis

  • Synopsys-Ansys Merger Augurs FTC's Return To Remedies

    Author Photo

    The Federal Trade Commission's recent approval of $35 billion merger between Synopsys and Ansys, subject to the divestiture of certain assets, signals a renewed preference for settlements over litigation, if the former can preserve competition and a robust structural remedy is available, say attorneys at Simpson Thacher.

  • Justices Widen Gap Between Federal, Calif. Enviro Reviews

    Author Photo

    While the U.S. Supreme Court's recent opinion in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, narrowed the scope of National Environmental Policy Act reviews, it may have broadened the gulf between reviews conducted under NEPA and those under the California Environmental Quality Act, say attorneys at Hanson Bridgett.

  • In 2nd Place, Va. 'Rocket Docket' Remains Old Reliable

    Author Photo

    The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia was again one of the fastest civil trial courts in the nation last year, and an interview with the court’s newest judge provides insights into why it continues to soar, says Robert Tata at Hunton.

  • CIPA May Not Be Necessary To Protect Ad Tech Plaintiffs

    Author Photo

    A California bill designed to protect businesses from advertising technology claims under the California Invasion of Privacy Act by amending the act retroactively has been highly contested by various consumer advocacy groups, but other existing law may sufficiently protect any plaintiff who suffers actual harm from such tech, says Justin Donoho at Duane Morris.

  • Foreign Sovereign Entities Should Heed 9th Circ. IP Ruling

    Author Photo

    After the Ninth Circuit recently held that four Chinese state-controlled companies were not immune from criminal indictment for alleged economic espionage, foreign sovereign-controlled entities should assess whether their operations and affiliation with their parent states qualify for sovereign immunity under the common law, say attorneys at Cleary.

  • Proposed State AI Rule Ban Could Alter Employer Compliance

    Author Photo

    A proposal in the congressional budget bill that would ban state and local enforcement of laws and regulations governing artificial intelligence may offer near-term clarity by freezing conflicting rules, but long-term planning would remain difficult for employers seeking safe, lawful AI deployment strategies, say attorneys at Fisher Phillips.

  • How Attorneys Can Become Change Agents For Racial Equity

    Author Photo

    As the administration targets diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and law firms consider pulling back from their programs, lawyers who care about racial equity and justice can employ four strategies to create microspaces of justice, which can then be parlayed into drivers of transformational change, says Susan Sturm at Columbia Law School.

  • Opinion

    9th Circ. Shopify Decision Gets Personal Jurisdiction Wrong

    Author Photo

    The Ninth Circuit's recent opinion in Briskin v. Shopify, rejecting the differential targeting requirement for personal jurisdiction, not only deviates from long-standing jurisprudence, but it also significantly expands the reach of internet-based claims under California law, says Matthew Pearson at Womble Bond.

  • What Employers Can Learn From 'Your Friends & Neighbors'

    Author Photo

    The new drama series "Your Friends and Neighbors," follows a hedge fund firm manager who is terminated after an alleged affair with an employee in another department, and his employment struggles can teach us a few lessons about workplace policies, for cause termination and nonsolicitation clauses, says Anita Levian at Levian Law.

  • Robinson-Patman Enforcement May Fizzle Out After PepsiCo

    Author Photo

    After securing an early Robinson-Patman Act victory against the largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., the Federal Trade commission's voluntary dismissal of its own enforcement action against PepsiCo throws into doubt the future of the federal statute that prohibits price discrimination and other anticompetitive practices, say attorneys at V&E.

  • Series

    Running Marathons Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    After almost five years of running marathons, I’ve learned that both the race itself and the training process sharpen skills that directly translate to the practice of law, including discipline, dedication, endurance, problem-solving and mental toughness, says Lauren Meadows at Swift Currie.

  • Calif. Air Board Offers Early Hints On Climate Reporting

    Author Photo

    As initial reporting deadlines for California's new climate reporting laws approach, guidance provided by the California Air Resources Board in a virtual public workshop sheds some light on rulemaking to come, and how to prepare for compliance during this period of uncertainty, say attorneys at Simpson Thacher.

  • Tips To Avoid Consumer Tracking Tech Class Actions

    Author Photo

    Recent class actions alleging Trade Desk illegally tracked millions of consumers through its advertising platform highlight growing data privacy compliance concerns over digital tracking practices, but there are disclosure best practices businesses can take to reduce litigation risk, says David Wheeler at Neal Gerber.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: Supporting A Trial Team

    Author Photo

    While students often practice as lead trial attorneys in law school, such an opportunity likely won’t arise until a few years into practice, so junior associates should focus on honing skills that are essential to supporting a trial team, including organization, adaptability and humility, says Lucy Zelina at Tucker Ellis.

  • A Look At Employer Wins In Title VII Suits Over DEI Training

    Author Photo

    Despite increased attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, courts across the country have favored employers in cases opposing diversity training, challenging the idea that all workplace inclusion efforts violate the law and highlighting the importance of employers precisely recognizing the legal guardrails, say attorneys at Perkins Coie.

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.