California

  • September 15, 2025

    Fed. Circ. OKs PTAB Denial Of Motorola Lens Patent Challenge

    The Federal Circuit on Monday declined to revive Motorola Mobility LLC's challenge to an imaging lens system patent owned by a Taiwanese company, affirming the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's finding that the smartphone maker failed to show the claims were invalid.

  • September 15, 2025

    Cookie Buyers Can't Get Certified In Mistranslated Label Suit

    A California federal judge on Monday denied certification to a proposed class of cookie buyers alleging that tree nuts were omitted from the English label of imported Japanese cookies, saying individualized questions about which consumers read, relied on and were injured by the mistranslation would predominate.

  • September 15, 2025

    9th Circ. Says Ore. Water Rights Case Is Still Relevant

    The Ninth Circuit won't dismiss the Klamath Irrigation District's appeal over water releases from an Oregon lake as moot, saying a decision would provide relief by affecting how the scarce resource is allocated regardless of the federal government's new position on the application of the Endangered Species Act.

  • September 15, 2025

    V&E, Sullivan & Cromwell Build $6B Energy Industry Merger

    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP-advised independent energy company California Resources Corp. unveiled plans Monday to merge with upstream energy company Berry, led by Vinson & Elkins LLP, in an all-stock deal that values the combined company at an enterprise value of more than $6 billion.

  • September 15, 2025

    Former Fed. Prosecutor Returns To Hueston Hennigan In LA

    Hueston Hennigan is expanding its trial team, welcoming a former federal prosecutor, who worked as an associate at the firm early in his career, back as of counsel in its Los Angeles office.

  • September 12, 2025

    Google Gets IP Claims Against Some AI Products Tossed

    A California federal judge trimmed Thursday a consolidated proposed class action alleging Google's artificial-intelligence training models infringed artists and writers' copyrights and dismissed its parent company Alphabet altogether, finding that the creators can only pursue claims implicating six out of 16 of Google's AI products.

  • September 12, 2025

    Uber Rider's Past Sex Conduct Off Limits In Sex Assault Trial

    A California state judge overseeing a bellwether trial over sexual assault allegations against Uber warned attorneys for the ride hailing giant Friday that when it questions the plaintiff in coming days, it won't be allowed to elicit testimony about her other sexual activity unless her side "opens the door."

  • September 12, 2025

    Calif. Sends Groundbreaking Data Use Opt-Out, AI Bills To Gov.

    The California Legislature has approved several cutting-edge measures to boost online data privacy and safety protections for consumers, including proposals that would require browser operators such as Apple and Google to enable users to easily stop the sale and sharing of their personal data across websites and push AI-powered "companion" chatbot providers to implement safeguards. 

  • September 12, 2025

    Albertsons Loses Bid For Docs On Kroger CEO's Exit

    The Kroger Co. does not have to turn over documents to Albertsons Cos. Inc. concerning former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen's abrupt exit, the Delaware Chancery Court ruled Friday, saying that personal conduct that prompted McMullen's resignation wasn't relevant to Albertsons' litigation claims over the grocery chains' failed $25 billion merger.

  • September 12, 2025

    Dentons Ducks Chinese Vape-Maker's Hacking Suit

    Dentons has officially escaped allegations it helped the founder of vape distributor Next Level sabotage and usurp manufacturer Avid Holdings' brand, in part by hacking into its founder's laptop to access confidential information, according to newly filed documents.

  • September 12, 2025

    Stewart Issues New Slate Of Discretionary Denials

    Acting U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Coke Morgan Stewart rejected 18 petitions for Patent Trial and Appeal Board review based on discretionary factors on Friday, but didn't introduce new elements to her analysis.

  • September 12, 2025

    Roblox, Discord Face Wrongful Death Suit Over Teen's Suicide

    The mother of a California teenager who died by suicide sued Roblox and Discord on Friday, claiming that her son was groomed and abused for years by a man who found him on the gaming platform, showed him how to disable parental controls and forced him to share explicit images.

  • September 12, 2025

    Disney Sees Another Class Claim Over Child Privacy Practices

    Disney invaded the privacy of millions of children by failing to appropriately tag its YouTube videos as "made for kids" and thus allowing the collection of minors' personal data and location information, according to a proposed class action in Washington federal court.

  • September 12, 2025

    Cannabis Brokers Sue Over $250K In Unpaid Commissions

    Two brokerage companies claim they were never paid his commission for helping guide two deals worth roughly $1.7 million involving the purchase of Los Angeles cannabis permits, according to a California state lawsuit seeking compensation from the cannabis entrepreneurs and their companies.

  • September 12, 2025

    9th Circ. Rejects Rethink, Unpauses Google Play Store Order

    The countdown for Google to open up the Play Store is ticking down again after the Ninth Circuit again affirmed district court monopolization findings.

  • September 12, 2025

    DOJ Says States Can't Reverse Grant Cuts In OMB Reg Fight

    The Trump administration urged a Massachusetts federal judge to throw out a suit brought by a score of states accusing it of misinterpreting an Office of Management and Budget regulation to slash thousands of grants, arguing they must seek relief in another forum.

  • September 12, 2025

    Apple Lets Thieves Drain Unsecured Gift Cards, Suit Alleges

    Apple assures customers that its gift cards can be securely purchased and redeemed for various products, but the tech company's lack of "simple and commonsense security measures" allows thieves to drain activated cards before customers can use them, alleges a proposed class action in California federal court.

  • September 12, 2025

    Higher Ed Real Estate: A Back To School Special

    As colleges and universities face mounting financial pressures and enrollment challenges, their real estate strategies are evolving. From legal battles over property disputes to creative approaches for monetizing underutilized assets, Law360 Real Estate Authority offers a window into real estate concerns in the higher education sector.

  • September 12, 2025

    Split 9th Circ. Backs Cert. Denial In Progressive Car Value Suit

    A split Ninth Circuit panel on Friday upheld a lower court's refusal to certify a class of Progressive policyholders in a suit over adjustments the insurer makes when calculating the actual cash value of a totaled vehicle, finding that individual questions predominate over common ones.

  • September 12, 2025

    Real Estate Recap: CMBS Distress, Nuclear AI, Campus Golf

    Catch up on this past week's key developments by state from Law360 Real Estate Authority — including attorney perspectives on commercial mortgage-backed securities distress, the dawn of nuclear-powered data centers, and the albatross of golf courses on colleges and universities.

  • September 12, 2025

    Receiver Wants To Sell Calif. Property With Illegal Ex-Pot Shop

    A court-appointed receiver asked a California state court to approve the sale of a two-story Compton commercial building that used to have an illegal cannabis dispensary.

  • September 12, 2025

    Shein Uses AI To Steal Popular Designs, Suit Claims

    Fast-fashion e-commerce giant Shein is facing a suit in California federal court by a Florida artist who claims the company uses artificial intelligence and other automated technology to dredge the internet and steal popular works to be misappropriated for profit.

  • September 12, 2025

    What To Know About Anthropic's Pending $1.5B IP Settlement

    The largest settlement in copyright history may still materialize, but the path for authors and Anthropic negotiating a $1.5 billion agreement is filled with challenges, including determining what portion of the millions of books the tech company allegedly downloaded from pirate sites is eligible for compensation.

  • September 12, 2025

    9th Circ. Won't Rethink Rejection Of Vegas Newspaper Pact

    The Ninth Circuit refused to reconsider a panel's decision finding that a long-standing arrangement between the Las Vegas Sun and the Las Vegas Review-Journal is unlawful because the rival newspapers needed approval from the U.S. attorney general.

  • September 12, 2025

    In Fees Fight, OpenAI Rival Says TM Case Not Exceptional

    Nothing "stands out" from a successful trademark case brought by OpenAI against Open Artificial Intelligence Inc., the latter company told a California federal judge, urging the court to deny OpenAI's request to make it pay $10 million in attorney fees.

Expert Analysis

  • Series

    Adapting To Private Practice: From ATF Director To BigLaw

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    As a two-time boomerang partner, returning to BigLaw after stints as a U.S. attorney and the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, people ask me how I know when to move on, but there’s no single answer — just clearly set your priorities, says Steven Dettelbach at BakerHostetler.

  • Reverse Bias Rulings Offer Warning About DEI Quotas

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    Several recent holdings confirm that targeted or quota-based diversity programs can substantiate reverse discrimination claims, especially when coupled with an adverse action, so employers should exercise caution before implementing such policies in order to mitigate litigation risk, says Noah Bunzl at Tarter Krinsky.

  • 4 In-Flux Employment Law Issues Banks Should Note

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    Attorneys at Ogletree provide a midyear update on employment law changes that could significantly affect banks and other financial service institutions — including federal diversity equity and inclusion updates, and new and developing state and local artificial intelligence laws.

  • New DOJ Penalty Policy Could Spell Trouble For Cos.

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    In light of the U.S. Department of Justice’s recently published guidance making victim relief a core condition of coordinated resolution crediting, companies facing parallel investigations must carefully calibrate their negotiation strategies to minimize the risk of duplicative penalties, say attorneys at Debevoise.

  • Influencer Marketing Partnerships Face Rising Litigation Risk

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    In light of recent class actions claiming that brands and influencers are misleading consumers with deceptive marketing practices — largely premised on the Federal Trade Commission's endorsements guidance — proactive compliance measures are becoming more important, say attorneys at Olshan Frome.

  • 7 Ways Employers Can Avoid Labor Friction Over AI

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    As artificial intelligence use in the workplace emerges as a key labor relations topic in the U.S. and Europe, employers looking to reduce reputational risk and prevent costly disputes should consider proactive strategies to engage with unions, say attorneys at Baker McKenzie.

  • Trump Air Emissions Carveouts Cloud The Regulatory Picture

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    President Donald Trump's new proclamations temporarily exempting key U.S. industries from air toxics standards, issued under a narrow, rarely-used provision of the Clean Air Act, will likely lead to legal challenges and tighter standards in some states, contributing to further regulatory uncertainty, say attorneys at GableGotwals.

  • Opinion

    DOJ's HPE-Juniper Settlement Will Help US Compete

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    The U.S. Department of Justice settlement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise clears the purchase of Juniper Networks in a deal that positions the U.S. as a leader in secure, scalable networking and critical digital infrastructure by requiring the divestiture of a WiFi network business geared toward small firms, says John Shu at Taipei Medical University.

  • Anthropic Ruling Creates Fair Use Framework For AI Training

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    A California federal court’s recent ruling that Anthropic’s use of copyrighted books to train its large language model qualified as fair use provides important guidance for both artificial intelligence developers and copyright holders because it distinguishes between transformative uses and unauthorized uses involving pirated or format-shifted works, say attorneys at Ropes & Gray.

  • How Property Insurers Serve As Climate Change Harbingers

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    Thomas Dawson at McDermott discusses the role that U.S. property insurers may play in identifying and assessing climate risk, as well as in financing climate change adaptation projects, in light of global warming and shifting geopolitical realities.

  • Series

    Playing Baseball Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Playing baseball in college, and now Wiffle ball in a local league, has taught me that teamwork, mental endurance and emotional intelligence are not only important to success in the sport, but also to success as a trial attorney, says Kevan Dorsey at Swift Currie.

  • APA Relief May Blunt Justices' Universal Injunction Ruling

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    The Administrative Procedure Act’s avenue for universal preliminary relief seems to hold the most promise for neutralizing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. CASA to limit federal district courts' nationally applicable orders, say attorneys at Crowell.

  • Managing Risks As State AGs Seek To Fill Enforcement Gap

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    Given an unprecedented surge in state attorney general activity resulting from significant shifts in federal enforcement priorities, companies must consider tailored strategies for navigating the ever-evolving risk landscape, say attorneys at Cozen O'Connor.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: Skillful Persuasion

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    In many ways, law school teaches us how to argue, but when the ultimate goal is to get your client what they want, being persuasive through preparation and humility is the more likely key to success, says Michael Friedland at Friedland Cianfrani.

  • Litigation Inspiration: How To Respond After A Loss

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    Every litigator loses a case now and then, and the sting of that loss can become a medicine that strengthens or a poison that corrodes, depending on how the attorney responds, says Bennett Rawicki at Hilgers Graben.

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