Douglas Whitman was convicted of insider trading from Whitman Capital, the hedge fund he created in 2012. His conviction carried criminal fines of $250,000 and an order to forfeit $935,000, which he later paid in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Two months after his conviction, his... Read More »
Tyshawn Michael Lewis is dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron condition commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Lewis is currently serving 75 years to life in a California state prison for first-degree murder. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) requested he be given compassionate release.... Read More »
Melvin Garner worked for the BNSF Railway Company for over 40 years, during which he was constantly exposed to toxic levels of diesel exhaust and other harmful chemicals. After his death from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, his son Gary sued BNSF for his father’s wrongful death. BNSF... Read More »
Michigan's leading insurance regulator has issued a directive to health plans mandating coverage for clinically validated cancer treatments, including innovative genetic and biologic therapies. This significant move comes after investigative efforts by ProPublica, a nonprofit public interest news organization, and legislative pressure, spotlighting a critical gap in treatment coverage. The... Read More »
Disney is currently entangled in a serious legal battle, as an employee has filed a lawsuit accusing the entertainment giant of hiding a former executive's alleged sexual misconduct. The case, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, centers around accusations against Nolan Gonzales, the former vice president of distribution at... Read More »
In November 1928, Walt Disney revolutionized the animation industry with the release of "Steamboat Willie," a cartoon that showcased synchronized sound and introduced the world to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Mickey Mouse, in particular, evolved into an emblematic figure for Disney, permeating every facet of its branding, from theme parks... Read More »
In a significant development for public health and tobacco regulation, the U.S. Supreme Court, on Monday, January 7, 2024, decided not to review a challenge against California's ban on flavored tobacco products. This decision effectively upholds the voter-approved measure, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over tobacco product... Read More »
The pandemic may be over, but the legal cases deciding what business losses must be covered by insurance policies linger on. Unfortunately for plaintiffs across the board, no matter what creative arguments they come up with, their cases nearly always fail due to express exclusions in the policy. One of... Read More »
Drones are changing the way police respond to 911 calls, but like all new technologies, courts are being challenged by how to respond to their use. The city of Chula Vista, California, is conducting a first-in-the-nation pilot program that uses drones as first responders to emergency calls for help. The... Read More »
A Minnesota woman says that a visit to her dentist was nothing short of a nightmare in her lawsuit filed on Dec. 21 in Hennepin County District Court, according to a recent report by the Star Tribune. Minnesota resident Kathleen Wilson says Dr. Kevin Molldrem of Molldrem Family Dentistry in... Read More »
Under California law, parties engaged in litigation are not liable for communications made during “planned or pending court actions.” However, a State appellate court has ruled that comments on defendant’s blog and Yelp are “akin to press releases,’ and therefore not immunized by California’s litigation privilege. Vanessa Hamilton, the defendant,... Read More »
The rights of sperm donors in child custody cases have prompted many states to create laws that seek to clarify who has the right to raise the child. In 2022, California enacted Family Code §7613 (b)(1) that says, “The donor of semen…is treated in law as if the donor is... Read More »
In a renewed effort to control the recent surge in illegal border crossings, Texas Governor Greg Abbot has passed a new law that would allow police officers to arrest any migrants who illegally cross into the state from the southern border. The new law would also allow local judges to... Read More »
A series of personal squabbles between a firefighter and his supervisor led to a $5 million-plus payout because of the severe due process violations that occurred during his firing. The defendant, the county fire protection district, tried to argue that the plaintiff was not entitled to damages because he failed... Read More »
A Georgia gift card maker is facing a lawsuit in California after users said the gift cards they purchased were drained of their funds in a scam that has been all too popular this holiday season. The lawsuit was filed by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu against InComm Financial... Read More »
