California

Hard Time for Others, But Not Hilton

There’s one obvious reason why Paris Hilton was released from a California prison, after serving only three days of a 45-day sentence for violating her probation for an alcohol-related driving offense, many believe. Celebrity clout. An undisclosed medical condition reportedly prompted the Los Angeles County Sheriff to release the 26-year-old…

Jun 8, 2007 6:37 PM CDT

CA Atty Gen’l Eyes De Anza Rape Case

In the controversial rape case originally filed against three former Duke University lacrosse players last year, a North Carolina prosecutor went too far too quickly, relying on flimsy evidence at best, most observers now agree. But, in the wake of the public furor over the dismissal of the unfounded charges…

Jun 6, 2007 9:40 PM CDT

Sex Offender Seeks to Halt Adoption

A juvenile court commissioner in Riverside, Calif., has halted the adoption of a 2-year-old girl named Heaven to consider uniting the child with her sex-offender father. A Texas couple wants to adopt the child, who has heart defects and mild cerebral palsy, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I cannot…

Jun 6, 2007 7:30 PM CDT

Group Chastises Calif. Firms on Hiring

An advocacy group supporting greater minority participation in policy making is giving a barely passing grade to several California law firms. The report by Berkeley’s Greenlining Institute gave Ds and Fs to the following firms for apparently employing few or no African-American partners, according to the Recorder: –Cooley Godward Kronish…

Jun 5, 2007 2:23 PM CDT

Death Suit Dismissed in Holloway Case

A Los Angeles judge has dismissed a California wrongful death suit filed over the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba. The parents of the Alabama teen, who vanished on May 30, 2005 while on vacation with high school classmates on the Dutch Caribbean island, have no jurisdiction to sue in…

Jun 4, 2007 7:16 PM CDT

Suit Brings eHarmony Disharmony

A woman is suing eHarmony for barring access to the online dating service because she is a lesbian. Linda Carlson is seeking class action status for the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles superior court. Lawyers for Carlson say they believe it is the first suit of its kind against the…

Jun 1, 2007 8:27 PM CDT

Computer Musings Could Help Spector Defense

The judge overseeing the murder trial of record producer Phil Spector is mulling whether to admit writings from the home computer of the woman found dead in his home. Defense lawyers want to introduce the material to show that actress Lana Clarkson was depressed and likely shot herself, the Los…

Jun 1, 2007 8:11 PM CDT

Family-Status Bias Bill Passes Calif. Senate

“Familial status” would be protected from discrimination under a measure passed yesterday by the California Senate. The proposed law would bar employers from discriminating against workers who care for children, sick spouses or aging parents. The bill is one of the first in the country, the Los Angeles Times reports.…

Jun 1, 2007 7:14 PM CDT

Critic: Ruling Spurs ‘Mercenary Attorneys’

Four men may sue a California nightclub for denying them ladies’ night discounts without first asking the club to stop discriminating. The California Supreme Court ruled yesterday (PDF) that the state’s Unruh Civil Rights Act does not require victims of bias to press businesses for equal treatment before suing. Writing…

Jun 1, 2007 6:03 PM CDT

CA Supreme Court: Lawyer May Be Guilty of Murder in Dog Mauling Death

A former lawyer convicted of manslaughter after her two uncontrolled dogs killed a San Francisco neighbor on the doorstep of her home could face additional prison time due to a California Supreme Court ruling today. However, the ruling is something of a victory for Marjorie Knoller, 52, because it leaves…

Jun 1, 2007 1:47 AM CDT

Libel Suit OK’d for Financial Reports

A California appeals court is permitting Overstock.com’s libel suit against a financial analysis company to go forward. Overstock.com had claimed Gradient Analytics conspired with a hedge fund to publish negative reports about the online retailer, according to the Recorder. The hedge fund allegedly profited by taking short positions in the…

May 31, 2007 1:07 PM CDT

Evidence of Abuse Frees Calif. Woman

A California woman initially convicted of murdering her abusive husband was released yesterday after serving 16 years in prison, in the first of perhaps dozens of such cases that could be retried under a 2002 state law that attempts to redress past injustices. Hudie Joyce Walker, now 65, said her…

May 30, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

More Calif. Firms to Pay Associates $160,000

More California firms have announced they will pay new associates $160,000 a year. The latest firms to indicate they will reach that pay level are Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman; Munger, Tolles & Olson; and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, according to the Recorder. Shartsis Friese is beating that, raising first-year salaries…

May 29, 2007 12:26 PM CDT

Growing Practices

A New Crop of Lawyers Has Created a Niche Representing Medical Marijuana Clinics

May 23, 2006 7:51 AM CDT

An Evolving Conflict

Intelligent-Design Proponents May Have Lost a Battle, but They’ll Continue the Fight

Mar 21, 2006 11:16 AM CST