Appellate win: The Court of Appeal reversed denial of class certification in Martinez v. Sierra Lifestar, finding that excluding nondiscretionary bonuses from overtime/pay calculations can unite a class. Full story (subscription): www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285422-martinez-v-si...
CA Court of Appeal: In People v. Landrine, later rehab can’t erase repeated violations during mental health diversion. Dismissal under Penal Code 1001.36(h) requires real compliance. Reversed and remanded. Subscribers only: www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285420-people-v-land...
Judge Jacob J.H. Yim is showing how efficiency and attentiveness can coexist in Compton’s busy felony court. See how his approach is setting a new standard for courtroom leadership.
Subscription only: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/10980
#JudicialProfile #CriminalLaw
Paknad v. Superior Court: CA Court of Appeal says relying on workplace investigations in discrimination, harassment, or retaliation cases can waive privilege—even for redacted findings. Full analysis (subscription only): https://ow.ly/vyhS50YNasJ #EmploymentLaw
In Judge Esther Kim’s courtroom, “finality” is a promise. She demands clear, workable orders that deliver real solutions for families—not just paperwork. See how her approach is raising the bar in family law. Subscription only. https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/10976
Appellate update: Judge disqualified in People v. Superior Court (Austin) under CCP 170.1 for prior homicide charging involvement during the RJA period. See the court’s analysis (subscription): www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285403-people-v-supe...
Zand v. Sukumar: The Court of Appeal affirmed a $41,580 attorney fee award after an anti-SLAPP win and imposed $10,000 in sanctions for a frivolous appeal. Subscription only. https://ow.ly/eGz750YK6xE
#AntiSLAPP #AttorneyFees #FrivolousAppeal #CaliforniaCourtOfAppeal
Judge Tracey M. Blount moved from dependency law to criminal court, bringing a growth mindset and focus on fairness. Her approach to second chances is reshaping leadership on the bench.
Subscription only. https://ow.ly/cgta50YK19X
#JudicialProfile #CriminalLaw
Legal fight over subpoena notifications and user data. Watch the video and read about EFF's claims and SB 957. Full article: https://ow.ly/KQGj50YJYyU #PrivacyLaw #DigitalRights #TechPolicy #LegalNews
People v. Espiritu: CA Court of Appeal reversed and remanded. CCP 231.7 objection preserved review of a peremptory challenge based on a juror’s work as a nurse—even without a presumptive-invalidity argument.
Subscription only. https://ow.ly/I30C50YJ3Bz
In complex cases, Judge Theresa Traber presses for answers, revisits records, and prioritizes accuracy over speed. Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/10978 #JudicialProfile #ComplexLitigation #TrialPractice
In Cordero v. Ghilotti Construction Co., Inc., the court held Privette bars workplace safety claims—even those under Cal-OSHA section 1711. No retained-control liability. Read the analysis (subscription only): https://ow.ly/NR9050YIsbn
Patience with purpose. Candor with care. Commissioner Wendy Shapero’s courtroom blends discipline and humanity, setting a new standard for justice.
Full profile (subscription only): https://ow.ly/bsgV50YHi6l
#JudicialProfile #CourtroomLeadership #LegalCommunity
Our annual Resolution Issue returns, honoring leading neutrals advancing mediation and arbitration across the state.
📆 Available Wednesday, April 15
👉 Read the full roundup when it drops.
https://dailyjournal.com/dj_subscriptions/new
Appellate update: The California Court of Appeal in Gonzalez v. Community Mortuary held that impracticability of performance is an equitable defense for judges—not juries. Reversed and remanded. Full analysis for subscribers: https://ow.ly/2hpb50YGOz1
#CaliforniaLaw #LegalNews
People v. Player: A not-true finding on firearm use didn’t stop the prosecution from arguing Player was the actual killer in a section 1172.6 resentencing. See the court’s analysis at the link.
Subscription only. https://ow.ly/xM0A50YFViJ
#CollateralEstoppel #FelonyMurder #Section11726
Mathew S. Rosengart, a Leading Commercial Litigator in 2026, shares why a generalist approach can be an advantage. Read more: https://ow.ly/Lfxu50YG71a
This week only: Unlock exclusive access to the 2026 Leading Commercial Litigators supplement by creating a free Daily Journal account.
Ninth Circuit: Only the plaintiff and dealership—not a nonparty manufacturer—can enforce a delegation clause in a vehicle lease arbitration agreement. See why this matters for class actions. Subscribers only: https://ow.ly/6nLF50YFe9x
#Arbitration #NinthCircuit
Laura Smolowe of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a Leading Commercial Litigator in labor, employment, and complex cases. Read more: https://ow.ly/AAzG50YFjPF This week only: Create a free account for exclusive access to the 2026 supplement!
Robert “Bobby” Schwartz of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP is recognized as a Leading Commercial Litigator. He discusses how he manages client expectations during trial—including reassurance in high-pressure moments. Learn more about Bobby: https://ow.ly/Pb1t50YFjpw
Theane D. Evangelis, co-chair of Gibson Dunn’s global litigation practice, has been recognized as a Leading Commercial Litigator. Hear how she gets up to speed when brought into a case late. Read more in the Leading Commercial Litigators of 2026 special issue: https://ow.ly/vxpz50YFiwT
For more than 25 years, Colleen Bal has handled complex commercial and IP trials at Wilson Sonsini. She has been named to the 2026 list of Leading Commercial Litigators and shares a surprising moment arguing a Rule 50 motion—rarely granted for defendants. Read more:
https://ow.ly/AcPg50YFinW
Ninth Circuit alert: Thrower v. Academy Mortgage Corp. reverses a 1.75 fee multiplier in a False Claims Act case—clarifying fee boosts require more than strong results. Superior performance must not already be in the lodestar. Full analysis: https://ow.ly/IrMC50YEFpr #QuiTam #LegalNews
What attorneys try to keep out can reveal their true strategy. Judge Doreen Boxer explains how motions in limine expose the heart of a case—and why honesty with the court is essential.
Read more: https://www.dailyjournal.com/judicial_profiles/10975
#LitigationStrategy #LegalPractice #Courts
Unlock California’s legal news—free for one week! April 6–12, get full access to DailyJournal.com. No paywall, no credit card. Courts, legislation, expert insights & more. Don’t miss out—starts April 6!
Meet the next generation of legal changemakers. On April 8, the Daily Journal spotlights first-generation California law students—recipients of Lawyers’ Mutual Insurance Company scholarships. Discover their inspiring stories of resilience and vision for the legal community. https://ow.ly/ISCB50YCV8Q
Court: The consumer expectations test doesn’t apply when a toddler starts a car after a key fob is left inside. Harcourt v. Tesla finds this scenario is outside ordinary consumer experience. Read more: https://ow.ly/gx2050YCE6c (subscribers only) #ProductLiability
Nominations close April 8 for the Daily Journal’s 2026 Top Labor and Employment Lawyers special issue.
Take this opportunity to recognize outstanding attorneys leading the way in labor and employment law. Submit your nominations today. https://ow.ly/gBbn50YCtol
A dependency courtroom in Compton focuses on frequent hearings, real-time support, and direct engagement with families of young children. Judge Ashley M. Price describes how the model operates.
Read more. Subscribers only. https://ow.ly/P1xR50YC3Re
#CourtInnovation #ChildWelfare #Judiciary
SCOTUS struck down Colorado’s law restricting counselors’ speech with minors, calling it viewpoint discrimination. Chiles v. Salazar could reshape free speech and mental health law. Subscribers only: www.dailyjournal.com/dar/285350-chiles-v-sala...
#StrictScrutiny #FirstAmendment #SCOTUS
