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Armed, Belligerant, Defiant Suspect Need Not Point Weapon at Police to Justify Use of Deadly Force

September 16, 2026

In Handy v. Jones, published September 15, 2026, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court order denying a motion to dismiss. Late at night, the plaintiffs’ decedent’s neighbor called 911 multiple times to report a disturbance between the decedent and his girlfriend. The neighbor reported hearing screaming, a loud thud against the… Keep reading →

Social Worker Did Not Violate Family’s Fourteenth Amendment Rights by Sending False Letter about Custody to Court, because No Loss of Custody Occurred

May 27, 2020

In Dees v. County of San Diego, published May 27, 2020, a divided panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's summary judgment ruling, and affirmed in part and reversed in part the court's ruling on post-trial motions. The defendant social worker took part in an investigation of an alleged impropriety concerning… Keep reading →
Court May Not Condition Intervention in Reverse-CPRA Suit on Waiver of Prayer for Statutory Attorney Fees

May 19, 2020

In Carlsbad Police Officer's Association v. City of Carlsbad (ACLU), published May 18, 2020, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division 1 reversed an order conditioning the intervention in a reverse California Public Records Act petition of the ACLU and various media organizations on the striking of the intervenors' prayers for attorney fees under Code of… Keep reading →
Equitable Tolling Does Not Apply to Deadline to Present Claim

May 12, 2020

In Willis v. City of Carlsbad, published May 12, 2020, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division 1 affirmed a judgment after jury trial in favor of the defendant city. The plaintiff, a city police officer, reported perceived misconduct in 2012. In 2013, after the report was revealed, he was reassigned from a crimes of… Keep reading →
Councilmember Who Assists Appeal from Administrative Decision That Council Will Review Displays Improper Bias

May 8, 2020

In Petrovitch Development Company, LLC v. City of Sacramento (Johnson), published May 8, 2020, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court decision issuing a writ of administrative mandate setting aside the respondent city's decision on an administrative appeal. By an 8-3 vote, the city planning commission issued a conditional use permit allowing the… Keep reading →
Anti-SLAPP applies to 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 Claims Litigated in State Court

May 1, 2020

In Patel v. Chavez, published April 30, 2020, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 1 affirmed an order granting a special motion to strike the plaintiff's complaint under the Anti-SLAPP statute. The defendant, the plaintiff's employee, filed a wage claim with the California Labor Board, alleging failure to pay minimum wage and other wage claim… Keep reading →
Trial Court Erred in Calculating Lodestar for FEHA Fee Award Based on Local Rates where Plaintiff Required to Use Out-of-Town Counsel

May 1, 2020

In Caldera v. Department of Corrections, published April 30, 2020, the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division 3 reversed a fee award under FEHA and remanded it for recalculation. The plaintiff sued his employer for disability discrimination and harassment, based on mockery of his stutter. He contacted numerous lawyers in the Inland Empire area of California… Keep reading →
In Public Employment Discrimination Case, Court Erred in Prejudicial Appeal to Jurors, Allowing “Me Too” Evidence to Show Propensity, and Reversing Summary Adjudication

April 27, 2020

In Pinter-Brown v. Regents of University of California, published April 23, 2020, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 8 reversed a judgment after jury verdict in favor of a professor of medicine in a FEHA action. The plaintiff alleged gender discrimination based on a series of events during her employment. In a pre-voir dire speech,… Keep reading →
In Determining Mobilehome Park Rent Increase, City Was Entitled to Use Base Year That Predated Rent Control

April 25, 2020

In El Rovia Mobile Home Park, LLC v. City of El Monte, published April 23, 2020, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 5 affirmed a trial court decision denying a writ of administrative mandamus challenging the defendant city's grant of a rent increase. Before 2012, the city did not control rent in its mobilehome parks. … Keep reading →
In Determining Mobilehome Park Rent Increase, City Was Entitled to Use Base Year That Predated Rent Control

April 25, 2020

In El Rovia Mobile Home Park, LLC v. City of El Monte, published April 23, 2020, the Second District Court of Appeal, Division 5 affirmed a trial court decision denying a writ of administrative mandamus challenging the defendant city's grant of a rent increase. Before 2012, the city did not control rent in its mobilehome parks. … Keep reading →

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