For Christine Kurek, mediation is about more than settling a case. Drawing on three decades of legal experience, she focuses on understanding what parties need to move forward and finding the “key to resolution.” Read more at the link. https://ow.ly/9QzX50ZyfPg

California's SB 574 would set new rules for how lawyers, judges, and arbitrators handle AI in practice. Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian get into what the bill reaches — from client data to arbitration. Full episode has more. https://ow.ly/1WIy50Zxca0

Can unsupported claims of judicial bias in an appellate brief amount to contempt? In A Company Hungary KFT v. Bespalov, the Court of Appeal affirmed a $1,000 fine for repeated, baseless bias accusations. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285864-a-company-hungary-kft-v-bespalov #LegalEthics

Court finds employer’s arbitration scheme unfair: In Cluck v. GEO Secure Services, two onboarding agreements had to be read together, creating a one-sided process that was ruled unconscionable. See the court’s analysis: https://www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285856-cluck-v-geo-secure-services

Judge Carmen Snuggs-Spraggins says the struggles she faced as a student continue to shape how she approaches accountability, fairness, and the people who appear before her. Her judicial profile offers a closer look at that philosophy: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/11074

"What do you need to learn?" That annual question drives Judge John R. Zitny's approach to judicial education. His commitment to practical training, thoughtful use of AI, and empathy on the bench offers a closer look at the mindset behind his courtroom. Read more: https://ow.ly/YuzE50Zvf8N

The Ninth Circuit held that 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), not § 1225(b)(2)(A), governs detention of unadmitted immigrants arrested inside the United States, preserving eligibility for bond hearings. Court analysis: https://www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285837-rodriguez-vazquez-v-bostock

The Ninth Circuit ruled that conversion is a strict liability tort under California law, allowing defendants to pursue equitable indemnity against allegedly negligent cotortfeasors. Summary judgment was reversed and the case remanded. https://ow.ly/vpvv50ZuvFK

Can a defendant challenge a sealed search warrant affidavit based on confidential informant info? In People v. Vasquez, the Court of Appeal upheld Hobbs in camera review, confirming probable cause and protecting informant identities. Read more: https://ow.ly/rB5w50Zu1Kl

The Inglewood Unified School District Early Education Department needs your help. We are conducting a diaper, blanket and food drive for +500 preschoolers impacted by food and shelter shortages. Help our kids realize their potential. Donate now! https://www.donorschoose.org/dr-cliftons-honeybuns

Judge Julian Recana traded decades of criminal law for one of Norwalk's busiest civil dockets. His willingness to admit what he didn't know, put in the work, and keep learning makes for an insightful look at life on the bench. https://ow.ly/Fiof50ZtFai

Can a retainer agreement override Civil Code section 1717? In Fox & Fox v. Arteaga, the Court of Appeal held that a self-represented law firm can’t recover attorney fees it didn’t actually incur—even if the contract says otherwise. https://ow.ly/ryVM50ZtEka

Attorneys describe Judge Teresa P. Magno's courtroom with one word: humanity. Her approach to high-stakes criminal cases, jury trials and courtroom leadership offers a compelling look at judging in Los Angeles County. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/11039

The Feb 2025 Bar Exam meltdown, explained. Brian Kabateck & Shant Karnikian on Off the Record: https://ow.ly/EU3i50Zsuts #CaliforniaBarExam #OffTheRecord

"Great law firms should be run like great companies." Joshua White, CEO of Laurel Employment Law, explains why the legal industry can learn from the tech world—from culture to innovation to using AI effectively. Watch the full episode of In the Counsel's Chair: https://ow.ly/78rc50Zsot6

In Conservatorship of E.A., the California Supreme Court held that the Barker v. Wingo four-factor test applies to due process claims based on delayed LPS conservatorship trials. The Court found a due process violation but concluded it was harmless. https://ow.ly/NBeZ50Zs8nC

In People v. Lopez, the Court of Appeal held that once an order to show cause is issued under Penal Code section 1172.6, the trial court must conduct a full evidentiary hearing on guilt under current law. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285776-people-v-lopez

Judge Justin Glenn-Leistikow never planned on becoming a lawyer. A failed tech startup set him on a path that ultimately led to the bench, where he says the biggest surprise wasn't applying the law, but seeing the courtroom through an entirely different perspective. https://ow.ly/wTUh50ZqVXM

The Ninth Circuit ruled in Theis v. InterMountain Education Service District that a school employee’s book displays were part of his official duties—not protected by the First Amendment under Garcetti. Full analysis: https://ow.ly/R5hJ50ZqVG3

The Ninth Circuit's decision in Garcia Demetrio v. Blanche holds that age-based particular social groups are "immutable" as a matter of law because asylum applicants cannot alter their age to escape persecution. Read the court's analysis: https://ow.ly/jbuz50Zqf4s

Sua v. Superior Court (People): The Court of Appeal ruled courts can’t compel prosecution mental exams for defendants seeking pretrial mental health diversion under PC 1001.36, unless a mental state defense is raised. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285762-sua-v-superior-court-people

Judge Huy T. Nguyen brings a public defender's perspective, careful preparation, and humility to Orange County family court. His judicial profile highlights the experiences that continue to shape his approach on the bench. https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/11037

The California Court of Appeal held Cruise's sign-in wrap agreement was enforceable and that CCP § 1281.2(c)'s third-party exception did not apply where related GM entities were alleged to be agents, joint venturers, and alter egos. https://ow.ly/AU1A50ZnZHO #Arbitration #CCP12812c

In Victor Valley Union High Sch. Dist. v. Superior Court (Magistrale), the Court of Appeal held Education Code section 44808 turns on the location of the alleged negligent conduct—not the location of the resulting injury. Read the court's analysis: https://ow.ly/qVq350Zny9P

Commissioner Sharon M. Anderson discusses balancing protection with personal autonomy, evolving probate practice, and the responsibility of making difficult decisions in her Daily Journal judicial profile. https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/11036

In Del Biaggio v. Bansen, the Court of Appeal held that a contractual attorney-fee provision authorized recovery of separately billed paralegal fees. It also sanctioned counsel $1,500 for fictitious AI-generated quotations. https://ow.ly/tqpa50Zn60K #AttorneysFees #GenerativeAI

Delaying the assertion of European Beverage rights can be costly. In Marriage of Martinez & Camou, the Court of Appeal upheld $20,000 in sanctions after an eight-month delay increased litigation costs. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285739-marriage-of-martinez-camou

Nearly every felony prosecution in Los Angeles County's East District passes through Judge Rob B. Villeza’s courtroom. Discover how his dedication to preparation and collaboration shapes criminal justice. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/11035

NOAA's review of the California Coastal Commission could end where these fights usually do: in court. Brian Kabateck and Shant Karnikian lay out the Administrative Procedure Act angle in this clip — full breakdown on Off The Record. Listen: https://ow.ly/1ECq50ZlPLB

California’s appellate court clarified: self-represented litigants can’t recover sanctions for their own time, but Code Civ. Proc. § 2023.050 may require a $1,000 sanction for certain discovery abuses. Civility matters in every case. Details: https://ow.ly/Gs2I50Zmf66