Last month, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a set of proposed regulations to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The agency’s proposal takes an expansive view of the requirements imposed by the law. Taking effect this June, the PWFA was intended to fill a gap in... Read More »
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration’s ban on so-called “ghost guns” can remain in effect for the time being, pausing a lower court decision. The regulation issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) was struck down in June by a federal court. In... Read More »
A number of Google users attempted to bring a class action asserting that the tech giant’s Chrome browser collects their data unlawfully. The plaintiffs lost an early appeal to seek damages as a class, severely undercutting their chances at a substantial damages award. The case arose in 2020. Several plaintiffs... Read More »
The California Supreme Court ruled that Monterey County cannot unilaterally ban new oil and gas wells. The decision strikes down a voter-approved measure amid an ongoing battle over fossil fuels and how the state can address concerns over climate and personal health concerns. In 2016, Monterey County voters approved a... Read More »
A federal court struck down the Biden administration’s controversial policy limiting who may be considered for asylum in the United States. The court found that the administration had violated the Administrative Procedure Act by issuing the new rule without proper time for public notice and comment. The so-called asylum ban... Read More »
College students accused of misconduct do not have the same rights as criminal defendants, according to the California Supreme Court. The court ruled that private university students can face discipline, including expulsion, without first having the right to cross-examine their accusers in a live hearing. The decision stems from accusations... Read More »
The U.S. Postal Service cannot force an evangelical employee to work on Sundays, ruled the Supreme Court, without showing that allowing him to skip Sunday work would lead to substantial additional costs. The Court’s decision clarifies worker protections and enhances the burden on employers to overcome requests for religious accommodation. ... Read More »
The California Supreme Court carved out a victory for workers this week, limiting the impact of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gave more power to employers in avoiding class actions. The ruling concerns California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). PAGA authorizes an employee to bring a civil claim against... Read More »
This week, the California Supreme Court ruled that organizations may have standing to sue under California’s Unfair Competition Law. The decision re-opened a lawsuit brought by the California Medical Association against Aetna for alleged anti-competitive conduct. The case titled California Medical Association v. Aetna Health of California, Inc. concerned the... Read More »
The union representing more than 160,000 actors officially declared a strike against Hollywood producers last week, joining the industry’s writers in challenging the state of affairs in the streaming era. The strike’s effects go beyond television and film actors, as SAG-AFTRA issued specific rules pertaining to social media influencers. It... Read More »
The California Supreme Court handed a victory to insurance companies on Thursday, ruling that Medicare recipients are limited to federal remedies when pursuing claims against Medicare Advantage organizations. The case titled Quishenberry v. UnitedHealthcare, Inc. concerns a Medicare Advantage (MA) recipient who died after being discharged from a skilled nursing... Read More »
Hollywood was well and truly brought to a standstill as the union representing around 160,000 actors declared a strike, joining the screenwriters who walked out in May. Both unions seek revised contracts and concessions from Hollywood's biggest studios in light of the streaming era, artificial intelligence, and other growing concerns... Read More »
The battle over California’s gig worker law continues as the state supreme court has deigned to rule on the ultimate legality of Proposition 22. Prop 22 was a voter-passed initiative spurred on by Uber, Lyft, Doordash, and other companies that rely on so-called “gig workers” to fuel their business model.... Read More »
Class members have agreed to settle claims that a defect caused certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles to carry a risk of spontaneous combustion. According to the allegations, the covered vehicles were manufactured with defective anti-lock brake (ABS) modules. The modules were prone to short-circuit, which could cause the engine compartment... Read More »
The California Supreme Court ruled that a new limitation on sentences of probation for non-violent offenders can apply retroactively to certain plea agreements. Defendants whose guilty pleas had yet to be finalized when the law took effect in 2021 can rely on the enhanced protection of the new sentencing limits.... Read More »
