California

Civil rights lawyer allows people who are homeless to camp on his property

A civil rights attorney in Sacramento, California, is opening up his own property to people who are experiencing homelessness.

Jun 11, 2020 2:58 PM CDT

California keeps plans for online bar exam, but test date may be pushed back again

Following an earlier announcement that the California bar exam for July would be pushed back to September because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Supreme Court has announced that the test may be moved to October.

Jun 11, 2020 2:26 PM CDT

State chief justice urges courts to ‘provide equal justice for all’ and join ‘a battle for the nation’s soul’

The first black Connecticut Supreme Court chief justice sent a letter to employees of the state’s judicial system Tuesday, urging them to “double and even triple our efforts to provide equal justice for all those that we serve.”

Jun 11, 2020 10:48 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: AG Barr sees lack of confidence in justice system; will students reconsider law school?

AG Barr says ‘witches’ brew’ of extremist groups caused violence U.S. Attorney General William Barr said at a press conference Thursday that many African Americans lack confidence in the American criminal justice system, and that needs to change. Barr said most protesters were peaceful, but there is a “witches’ brew”…

Jun 4, 2020 3:38 PM CDT

California appeals judge is removed from bench for sexual harassment and unwanted touching

California’s Commission on Judicial Performance has ordered the removal of Justice Jeffrey Johnson from the California Courts of Appeal for misconduct that included unwanted touching and sexual harassment.

Jun 3, 2020 12:29 PM CDT

NCBE plans to offer some remote exams for new October testing date but not for UBE

The National Conference of Bar Examiners announced Monday that remote offerings will be available in October for the multistate bar exam, the multistate essay exam and the multistate performance test.

Jun 2, 2020 10:22 AM CDT

Court security officer is shot and killed; courthouses damaged throughout US

Two Federal Protective Service officers were shot outside the federal courthouse in Oakland, California, on Friday night. Only one survived, and he is in critical condition.

Jun 1, 2020 1:00 PM CDT

Supreme Court refuses to block California restrictions on religious services

A divided U.S. Supreme Court refused Friday night to block restrictions on religious services in California.

Jun 1, 2020 9:55 AM CDT

Biden accuser’s expert testimony is reviewed after questions are raised about her degree claim

The woman who accused former Vice President Joe Biden of sexual assault has been dropped by her law firm and is facing accusations that she misstated her educational qualifications when she testified as an expert witness for California prosecutors.

May 27, 2020 12:53 PM CDT

Studios that made ‘Criminal Minds’ are sued for alleged longtime sexual harassment on set

A California agency has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit alleging that the production companies that made the TV show Criminal Minds failed to prevent an alleged hostile work environment that persisted for 14 years.

May 27, 2020 10:27 AM CDT

Meet 9 American women shortlisted for the Supreme Court before Sandra Day O’Connor

As early as the 1930s, presidents were considering putting the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. So, who were these other candidates on the short list, and why did it take until 1981 for Sandra Day O'Connor to become the first female justice?

May 20, 2020 11:51 AM CDT

Judge admonished for comments about parents ruining their child, a ‘nothing case’ and ‘everlasting life’

A California judge has received a public admonishment for making inappropriate remarks about litigious parents and referencing religion during a family law proceeding.

May 19, 2020 11:15 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge orders shelter for homeless people; state must release execution drug info

Judge orders LA to find shelter for homeless near freeways On Friday, U.S. District Judge David Carter ordered the county and city of Los Angeles to find shelter for up to 7,000 homeless people living near freeways. Carter said shelters must allow for appropriate social distancing, along with adequate showers…

May 18, 2020 4:47 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Open-industry legal platform tested; panel considers future of California bar exam

Tech platform pioneered by 3 law firms will synchronize legal projects Three law firms have pioneered a new open-industry platform called Lupl to collaborate with corporate clients on complex legal matters. The law firms—Cooley, CMS and Rajah & Tann Asia—invested more than $10 million in the project, with input from…

May 15, 2020 4:19 PM CDT

California bar gives approval to broad sandbox proposal

The State Bar of California’s board of trustees approved the most ambitious of three regulatory sandbox proposals to test new and innovative ways of delivering legal services it considered during its meeting Thursday.

May 15, 2020 10:33 AM CDT