Aaron Morris’ Business Law Alert

"Information and insight for businesses."

Author: Aaron Morris practices at Morris & Stone in Santa Ana, Calif.

Blawg Related Categories: Labor & Employment • Real Estate & Property Law • States • California • Solo / Small Firm • Business Law

Recent Posts from Aaron Morris’ Business Law Alert

Class-Action Suit Against Starbucks Grinds to a Halt
Don’t even get me started about class-action lawsuits. In most (but not all) cases they are nothing but legalized extortion. They do not seek to address or correct a wrong, but rather are directed at…
To Pay My Judgment Now or Later? Comment on the Risk of Judgment Debtor Evasion
C.C.P. § 685.0401 provides that when a judgment includes an award of attorney fees pursuant to a contract, then the "[a]ttorney’s fees incurred in enforcing [the] judgment are included as costs collectible." While most would…
Jury Awards $11.3 Million in Internet Defamation Case
It’s amazing what you can do when the defendant doesn’t show up at trial. With no opposition at trial, the plaintiff in an Internet defamation case convinced a South Florida jury to award her a record $11.3 million in…
Traveling Employees May be Subject to Labor Laws of Different States
A recent decision shows that hiring an out-of-state employee can create a maze of labor laws for a company. Oracle Corporation hired three individuals (plaintiffs) to train customers to use Oracle software. Although Oracle is a…
Bank of America taken to Woodshed over Mortgages
Facing a lawsuit over deceptive mortgage practices, Bank of America Corp. is agreeing to pay more than $8 billion to modify hundreds of thousands of loans to keep people from losing their homes. Charlotte, N.C.-based…
Changes to ADA Important to Know
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), though well intended, has created innumerable interpretations by the courts and legal minefields for employers. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 is expected to clear up some of the…
Deviant Employees Protected from Termination
As you know, Megan's Law set up a website that lists registered sex offenders. Before extending an offer of employment, one might think that checking that website would be a quick way to make sure…
Employer Loses Communication Privilege if ill-will is Shown
California Civil Code Section 47 affords certain privileges that protect a person from liability, even if he speaks or writes something that would otherwise be defamatory. Civil Code section 47, subdivision (c), provides that a…
Defamation and On-Line Reviews
A Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation ("SLAPP") is a lawsuit or a threat of lawsuit that is intended to intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they…
Maine Court First to Find that Print-On-Demand Publisher Cannot be Liable for Defamation
When is a publisher not a publisher? When it is a copy machine. Confused? Consider the following case. In Sandler v. Calcagni, a defamation action was filed in the federal district court in Maine over…