John Breslin News
New, strong Calif. data privacy act 'moves the needle' and could inspire other states
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – California's new Consumer Privacy Act will affect businesses as it introduces a limited private right of action and other penalties for violations.
Conn. ruling could be 'death knell' for class action plaintiffs suing over 'spring water' claims
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – A lawsuit claiming Nestle bottled water produced and distributed as "100 percent spring water" is a fraud has been dismissed by a court because federal law preempts any action citing state statutes.
Alaska Supreme Court affirms decision to terminate man's employment over statements of threatening harm
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – An employee of a municipal government in Alaska has failed in a bid to reverse his firing over allegedly making statements co-workers interpreted as threats.
Climate change activists allowed to use 'necessity' defense after Minn. Supreme Court declines to hear appeal by state
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) – Climate change activists in Minnesota will be able to mount a defense that their actions were justified because they were designed to prevent a worse harm.
Law firm asks Calif. court to order journalist's deposition and documents in legal row with mining company
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – As fraud investigators in the United Kingdom continue their probe into the alleged murky dealings in Africa of a mining company, a federal court is being asked to subpeona a California reporter.
District courts divided on whether landmark BMS decision applies to class actions; SCOTUS likely to decide
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Federal district courts are divided on whether a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on personal jurisdiction is applicable to class actions.
Woman loses slip-and-fall case after slip in grocery store while wearing high heels
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court has affirmed a lower court's ruling in favor of a supermarket chain and against a customer who fell in one of its stores.
Calif. court grants judgment to AHMC Health Care in workers' timesheet case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Los Angeles Superior Court should have summarily decided on a wage dispute case between a health care company and its employees, a California appellate court ruled June 25.
Moofly Productions, attorney escape further sanctions in long-running copyright infringement case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A production company and its attorney have successfully appealed against sanctions imposed over the filing of a motion in a copyright infringement case.
California court orders new trial on former AutoZone worker's sexual harassment claims
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A woman who claimed she was sexually harassed while working as an employee with a major auto parts company has been granted a new trial by a California appeals court.
Former L.A. fire captain can lose pension benefits following felony conviction but deserves hearing, court rules
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A former Los Angeles fire captain convicted of running an illegal gambling operation could still lose part of his pension following a California appeals court ruling.
Executives beware: Social media posts will make it into depositions
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – As the country ponders if, or when, the most powerful chief executive in the U.S. will find the details of his tweets fired back at him in deposition hearings, business leaders are being warned over their own social media sense.
As Facebook faces class action, likelihood of other platform companies being sued increases
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) - As Facebook faces a deeply damaging class action suit over its admitted sale of data to third parties, the potential that other social media and tech companies will be hauled before the courts is increasing in likelihood.
In North Carolina, plant-based milk isn't milk, but only if other southern states agree
North Carolina's General Assembly passed its farm bill last week, but a late amendment means there will no enforcement of a ban on plant-based products from being labeled as milk until more than 10 other states pass similar legislation.
Alcon and Allergan, sued over eye drops that are allegedly too big, seek dismissal
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – The makers of prescription eye drops are asking a federal court to dismiss a class action that claims the containers dispense too much medicine into the eye.
Magistrate judge says class action plaintiff and his attorney used shady doctor, might not have bought product at issue
A federal judge has raised serious questions over the actions of a plaintiff and his attorney in a class action against a major retail pharmacy chain that has since been dismissed.
Niskanen Center supports NYC's climate change lawsuit ahead of dismissal hearing; Center is representing Boulder in similar suit
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A free market think tank has filed an amicus, or friend of the court, brief in support of the city of New York in a suit against five oil companies alleged to be responsible for damage to the metropolis from climate change.
Ark. pension system hires white collar crime lawyer as argument over $75M in class action attorneys fees rumbles on
An Arkansas pension fund has retained a law firm with expertise in criminal and corporate investigations as arguments over $75 million in class action attorney fees continue in federal court.
Review of 'Dark Side of Environmental Movement' spiked over claims it was 'dangerous'
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A positive review of a play reconstructing a trial against a high profile environmental campaigner was spiked over fears the production was "dangerous" and not "impartial."
Lawmakers, legal funding industry square off over regulation in New York
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Pressure is growing on the legal funding industry as more states are scrutinizing the growing business, including what some are describing as the extortionate interest rates charged.